A Sunday School Lesson On Hospitality

Here is a Sunday school lesson or Bible study about hospitality in the Bible.

Hospitality to Strangers

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

When two angels were sent into Sodom to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of Sodom (Gen 19:1), some of the men of Sodom tried to take them by force for sexually immoral reasons. As it turns out, they should have been more careful in how they treated these strangers. When they cried out, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them” (Gen 19:5), Lot said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly” (Gen 19:7). They ignored Lot’s plea and as a result, the men who cried out for the two were blinded by the angels (Gen 19:11). The point in Hebrews 13:2 is that we are to be hospitable to everyone we meet because we have no idea when and where a stranger might turn out to be an angelic being that appears as a man or woman. We know that God shows no partiality (Rom 2:11), so neither should we.

Has anyone ever been partial to you? Was it good or was it bad?

Is there a warning in this verse for how we treat strangers?

Have you or do you know of someone who might have encountered an angel?

Hospitality without Hostility

First Peter 4:9 “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

The context of 1st Peter 4 is where Peter writes that each one of us “has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1st Pet 4:10) and it’s not for personal use or glory. On the contrary, we should ask, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it” (1st Cor 4:7)? The same Greek word for grumbling is used in reference to the ancient Israelites who grumbled and were not allowed to cross over into the Promised Land because of their unbelief (Heb 3:19). Peter’s point is; “whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1st Pet 4:11) so we can’t serve one another without God’s strengthening us and when we do serve one another, we should do so without grumbling. That’s not being very hospitable.

Does hospitality apply just to inside the church?

Is hospitality a gift of the spirit or powered by the Spirit or both?

Who is the “one another” that Peter is writing about?

Hospitality to the Church

Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

The Apostle Paul was writing about some of the true marks of the Christian and these included love being genuine, abhorring evil, clinging to the good, honoring one another, be patient, generous to the saints, be in constant prayer, but also to “seek to show hospitality.” The idea of seeking it means you must be intentional in showing hospitality; not just by words but by action. That is how you “show hospitality.” Paul never said anything about “hearing hospitality.” Some may not ask, so why not offer to help some in the church (maybe even “seek it?”). That shows hospitality to the church, whether they accept your offer or not.

We know we should seek opportunity to help the saints but do opportunities sometimes seek us through God’s providence (Eph 2:10)?

How do you intentionally show hospitality (not by words!)?

Do you contribute “to the needs of the saints?”

Hospitality as a Servant

First Timothy 5:10 “and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.”

The 5th chapter of 1st Timothy is specific instructions written to the church, including those for the older and younger men and the older and younger women, and to the younger widow, Paul admonishes her to have a good reputation of showing hospitality like washing the feet of the saints (being a servant), caring for the afflicted (grieving, the sick), and being devoted to “every good work” or “seeking hospitality” (Rom 12:13) because “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28), therefore we too came not to be served but to serve (Eph 2:10) and not to make ransom of other people’s lives but to give our life, because we’ve been ransomed.

What reputation do you think you have for being hospitable?

Are you still hospitable to the inhospitable?

Do you “wash the feet of the saints” (serve), care for the afflicted (grieving, the sick), and devoted to “every good work?”

Conclusion

I urge you in your study to look at all of the Bible verses and read them aloud in the class so that you can get the most out of this lesson on showing hospitality to both strangers and the brothers and sisters in Christ. Our opportunity to show hospitality must be sought out with intentionality and we must make intentional decisions to be hospitable. Paul was concerned with “showing hospitality” and not just hearing about it. I hope this lesson has shown you that we should treat everyone fairly, strangers included; we should serve without grumbling; we should share with those who have little; and we should ask God to help us do good works for the Body of Christ.

Do you ever “seek out” ways to show hospitality?

Should you just wait for people to ask you for help?

What has changed in your understanding of hospitality in this study?

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.