MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS FROM HEBREWS: CURIOUS ABOUT CHRIST SERIES - 21/6/09

Hospitality: Hebrews 13:1-6,11-14. Matt finished our series this week with a challenge to be those who actively practice hospitality as a way of life, a kind of hospitality that has it's roots in the Garden of Eden, in heaven and in the very fabric of the Christian life.

Matt spoke on three main points

1) The history of hospitality. 
Originally, in the Garden of Eden, God was the ultimate host!  In 2009, our societies provide a common benchmark for typical hospitality, whether it be by invite of only friends for dinner in the West, or food and lodgings (for a few days) on arrival of unknown guests in the East.  In Deuteronomy and again in Hebrews, God raises the bar far beyond the social or culture norms for His people.

What are the normal ways of hospitality expressed by the society or culture you live in? 

Take a look at Matthew 25 (sheep and goats).  What could it mean to be a Matthew 25 host?

2) The Practicals of hospitality.
“Even a sandwich can change someone’s life”.  Hebrews 13 suggests that there is a spiritual element to our physical hospitality.  Matt challenged us to think about who the strangers are in our church (prisoners, mums and dads, children, the unemployed, teenagers, etc). 

Who are your strangers? 

As a mission group, how can you show hospitality to strangers at Mosaic?   

3) The source of hospitality.
Only a change on the inside will affect a real change on the outside.  Sometimes its easier to just look as if you’re friendly and welcoming when in fact, inside, you are resentful of the very people you are helping - it means you don’t have to address the heart issues.

In 2’s or 3’s discuss whether there is anything that stops you truly loving strangers and extending your hospitality to them.

Matt explained how Jesus was crucified outside the city gates so you could receive Gods hospitality inside the city gates, Heaven, even though you don’t deserve it.

Why was it important that Jesus was crucified outside the city gates?

In the light of the hospitality shown by God the Father to you, what is your response?