Be Hospitable

A QUICK SUMMARY

Deep down, every Christian wants to make a difference. But for many of us, the years come and go and we never do. The good news is: change can be as simple as opening your front door.

The Simplest Way to Change the World is about biblical hospitality and its power for the gospel. Since people will sooner enter a living room than a church, hospitality is a natural and effective way to build relationships for Christ. You’ll learn:

  • How the home can be a hub for community
  • How hospitality leads to joy, purpose, and belonging
  • How it grows families to love the things of God
  • How it’s not about being the perfect host
  • How to be hospitable regardless of your living space

Hospitality is a beautiful legacy of the church, and a great way to make disciples. As you open your life up to others, you share in the very character of God and experience His joy. And you get to witness lives change – including your own.

A SIMPLE SOLUTION

The home is the greatest environment that exists to create and cultivate community. Practicing hospitality in our homes is the practical outworking of the gospel into the rhythm of our everyday lives.

Biblical hospitality is not complicated, but it is hard. Too often we think of hospitality as a meal, but Jesus had a much bigger plan.

The secret weapon for gospel advancement is hospitality, and you can practice it whether you live in a house, and apartment, a dorm, or a high-rise.

The entire Bible is a story about God’s hospitality.

Hospitality is not some stuffy, outdated practice. It is clearly a biblical idea of utmost importance, because it is the primary way we tell the astounding story that God hasn’t given up on us. Any time we practice hospitality we follow in the steps of our lavishly hospitable God.

Here’s the potentially scary part: because of our role in representing God to the world, when we don’t walk in hospitality, we do not tell the truth about God. When we are cold, separated, and distant from those around us, we communicate that God is cold, separated, and distant. When we are warm, loving, and gracious, we put the gospel on display. This type of hospitality, which testifies to the character of our God, has always been a hallmark of God’s people.

Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements, The Simplest Way to Change the World

A NEXT STEP 

Weekly Rhythms

You can build rhythms into a regular week in much the same way you might have a weekly standing date night or have to take your child to soccer practice. 

  • Neighbor Night/Taco Tuesday
  • Game Nights
  • TV Shows
  • Watching Sports
  • Play Dates
  • Host Other Christians

Monthly Rhythms

There are certain rhythms that probably won’t feasibly fit into a weekly routine, but may be more doable as a monthly or bimonthly practice.

  • Neighborhood Cookouts
  • Throw Parties (That People Want to Come To)
  • Book Clubs
  • Supper Clubs
  • Movie Nights
  • Neighborhood Groups or Events
  • Reverse Hospitality

Yearly Rhythms

Some of the best opportunities for hospitality happen on a less frequent basis, and can function as incredible inroads for relationships.

  • Once-A-Year Events
  • Holiday Parties
  • Create Your Own Holidays
  • Kids’ Birthday Parties

Spend some time thinking about these ideas, and pray about what rhythms of hospitality God may be leading you to put into practice.

Adapted from The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements