Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “Recall an event where the hospitality was excellent. What made the hospitality great? How did the hospitality make you feel?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Genesis 22:1-14 and Matthew 10:40-42.

What did God ask Abraham to do? (Gen. 22) [God asked Abraham to offer his only son, Issac, as a burnt offering]. How did Abraham respond to God's command? [Abraham was willing to offer his only son, Issac, as the burnt offering to God.] The story demonstrates Abraham’s obedience and faith. What offerings are willing to give to God as God’s disciples? [i.e., your time, your talent, your tithe, and more,]
Our Gospel scripture (Matthew) is short for this week, but the first verse in our reading gives us insight into the high value and importance of hospitality. "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). How can you welcome people in a way that honors their sacred worth and importance to God? How might it look as a church to welcome all the people as Jesus did? What do you see as the “Jesus model” of welcoming people?

The Preaching Notes say,

“Now, there are two different responses to this passage. One is to become bearers of cold water. Because Jesus raises hospitality to eternal significance, we now take the task of hospitality more seriously. We re-examine our structures at church and ask how we are doing; we enlist more and more people in the task of welcoming until the church understands that it is everyone’s responsibility. We take hospitality as seriously as Jesus did.

The other response is to receive hospitality as Jesus tells us to do. The scripture is literally about receiving hospitality. So, how do we accept the cups of cold water that are given to us? Can Christ be seen in our gratitude as well as our generosity? “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me,” says Jesus.”

How are the two responses similar (becoming bearers of cold water or receiving hospitality as Jesus tells us to do)? What are the differences between the two perspectives? Which perspective has a significant impact on you for ministry or at home?

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple -- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward" (Matthew 10:42).

Welcoming people into worship, our church, and our homes, and welcoming new people on our jobs is a skill that is not often discussed. We hope that this lesson shines a new light on your perspective of hospitality. Take time this week to fill in the blanks:

Jesus’ model of hospitality challenges me to…
As God speaks to me about hospitality, I will listen for…
As a team, our small group can be welcoming to others by…
Where can we work with the trustees (and other committees) to be more intentional about welcoming? How might our buildings and facilities be more inviting and welcoming?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Lord, open my heart to see each person with sacred worth and welcome them in a way that honors you.

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Does your church have an international discipleship path?

We at Discipleship Ministries invite each congregation and worshiping community to develop an intentional discipleship plan in their local context. There are resources and mentors that you can access on our website to help you develop and implement your plan. Please call upon us to help you if you have not already begun such a journey (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/discipleship-system-example).