Hospitality

Hospitality

Bible: Romans 12:3-13

Reading

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (V.1).

In the New Testament, hospitality is meant to be part of our everyday Christian living. It’s listed as a characteristic of church leaders (1 TIMOTHY 3:2; TITUS 1:8), but is also expected of every follower of Jesus as a way of showing His love (ROMANS 12:13; 1 PETER 4:9). Which means we need to do it! But its meaning goes deeper than inviting friends and classmates round for tea, movie nights or to play video games. The Greek word for “hospitality” means “the love of strangers”. When Paul speaks of being “given to hospitality” (ROMANS 12:13 NKJV), he is telling us to make relationships with people who are in need, like the nerdy, weird or
lonely kids at school. It’s not always an easy thing to do. One Christian writer says it’s all about reaching out to those we meet on our way through life—people who are cut off in some way and in need of a friend. “Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” Whether inviting people round to hang out, letting other kids sit with us during lunchbreak or saying we’ll walk home with them after school, let’s “offer them space” with us. That’s a great place for them to meet Jesus after
all, and experience some of His love.

HOSPITALITY IS MAKING ROOM IN OUR LIVES

FOR PEOPLE IN NEED.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries