Question 1

How should I show hospitality to others?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 19:2“My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.” “Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.”Genesis 24:32So the man went home with Laban, and Laban unloaded the camels, gave him straw for their bedding, fed them, and provided water for the man and the camel drivers to wash their feet.1 Peter 4:9Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.The basics of good hospitality—providing a place to stay and food to eat—are simple acts of kindness that almost anyone can offer.

Question 2

To whom should I be hospitable?

Accepted Answer

Romans 12:13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.We should always show hospitality to other believers. After all, they are part of our heavenly family!3 John 1:5Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.We should be hospitable to those in ministry, who are often in need of hospitality.Hebrews 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!We should even offer hospitality to strangers.Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.We should be hospitable to the hungry, poor, and needy, including our relatives.Luke 14:12-14Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”Gaining social standing is not the purpose of hospitality. True hospitality is offered as a gift to bless others—especially those who need it most.

Question 3

Does everyone need to practice hospitality, or is it a special gift for just a few?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.Matthew 25:35-36“‘For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’”Luke 14:12-14Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”Romans 12:13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.Hebrews 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!1 Peter 4:9Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.3 John 1:5Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.While some believers are specially gifted with hospitality, all believers are called to practice hospitality as best we can. Very basic acts of kindness encourage and strengthen others. Hospitality is also an expression of gratefulness for what God has done for us.

Question 4

What is the most important part of hospitality?

Accepted Answer

Luke 10:38-42As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”The most important part of hospitality is sharing our lives and our Lord with others. The Bible mentions both elaborate meals and spontaneous get-togethers (Genesis 18:1-8; 2 Samuel 3:20; Acts 10:23). We shouldn’t be intimidated by hospitality, thinking that we must prepare big meals and clean the house to impress. We should simply share generously and enjoy the people we are with.

Question 5

What can I do to make my home a place of hospitality?

Accepted Answer

2 Kings 4:8-10One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she urged him to come to her home for a meal. After that, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for something to eat. She said to her husband, “I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. Let’s build a small room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by.”Philemon 1:22One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.We can host others in our homes, thoughtfully caring for their needs.Genesis 29:13-14As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!” After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month,We can give others a warm welcome to our homes.Judges 19:18-21“We have been in Bethlehem in Judah,” the man replied. “We are on our way to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim, which is my home. I traveled to Bethlehem, and now I’m returning home. But no one has taken us in for the night, even though we have everything we need. We have straw and feed for our donkeys and plenty of bread and wine for ourselves.” “You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took them home with him and fed the donkeys. After they washed their feet, they ate and drank together.We can be sensitive to the needs of our guests.

Question 6

How can I practice hospitality outside my home?

Accepted Answer

2 Timothy 1:16May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains.Hospitality can be extended outside our homes to places of confinement such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.James 2:2-5Suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?Hospitality is important in our faith communities as well. We should be welcoming and hospitable to those who desire to be part of God’s family, regardless of their social standing.

Question 7

How can I show hospitality to Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 3:17Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.Revelation 3:20“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”When we open the door of our heart to Jesus and invite him into our life, we show him our personal hospitality. Jesus knocks at the door of our heart and home, wanting to come and have fellowship with us. We should invite him in with enthusiasm!Matthew 25:40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”When we are hospitable to those Jesus loves, we show hospitality to Jesus himself.

Question 8

In what ways are leaders called to hospitality?

Accepted Answer

Mark 10:45“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Luke 9:12-13Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him [Jesus] and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?”Leaders can enrich their leadership by seeing it in terms of hospitality. The world has two types of people: those who see themselves as guests who should be taken care of and those who see themselves as hosts who will serve and care for others. Godly leaders are the hosts who seek the welfare of those under their care.