WEEK 1 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

Eating and Drinking: Radical Hospitality

Introduction:

The table in the Bible is a powerful symbol of God’s provision, presence, and reconciliation. It represents a place where God provides for His people, where believers can experience His presence and fellowship with one another, and where broken people find reconciliation and a sense of belonging. Jesus’s meals with both friends and “sinners” illustrate the table as an invitation for all to be reconciled with God and with each other, and the Lord’s Supper is a specific, recurring reminder of this atoning sacrifice.

Something To Talk About:

Hospitality is a heart posture: Biblical hospitality is more than sharing a meal or inviting friends over. Its roots run much deeper into matters of the heart. Genuine hospitality is less about external actions, such as having a perfect home or serving a lavish meal, and more about an internal mindset of generosity, attentiveness, and openness to others. It’s about a willingness to open your heart before you open your house. In its simplest form, biblical hospitality is meeting the needs of others because we recognize that God has been hospitable to us. It’s welcoming those who aren’t like you into the fold. It’s opening your heart, your home, and your life to those who believe differently than you do. When our heart is intentionally postured towards hospitality, our guests will feel welcomed and loved. But if you’re annoyed by their presence or worried about the cost of feeding them, then they will feel such. Ask the Lord to give you a heart ready and willing to serve others through hospitality.
Hospitality is a command: Hospitality is more than just welcoming friends; it is a divine command rooted in Scripture. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” This verse highlights that hospitality extends beyond our immediate circle to include everyone, even strangers. Jesus Himself exemplified this through His life and teachings, urging us to serve others with love and kindness. Practicing hospitality is an act of obedience that reflects God’s love within us. It transforms our homes into sanctuaries of grace where others can experience the warmth and acceptance of Christ. Hospitality also fosters community, breaks down barriers, and nurtures relationships that can lead to spiritual growth—as followers of Christ, embracing hospitality as a command, invites us to live out our faith actively, making a tangible difference in the lives of others and fulfilling God’s divine calling to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Hospitality is not the same thing as entertainment: Hospitality and entertainment may look similar on the surface—both involve opening our homes, preparing a space, and welcoming guests. But their motives are worlds apart. Entertainment often seeks to impress. It places pressure on presentation, performance, and perfection. Hospitality, however, whispers something very different: “Come as you are. You are welcome here.” It places the emphasis not on the host, but on the guest. Jesus didn’t entertain His disciples; He welcomed them. He broke bread in humble settings, served on dusty roads, and created sacred moments through presence, not perfection. When we shift from entertaining to hosting with grace, our homes become sanctuaries—places where burdens are lifted, souls are fed, and Christ is seen. Hospitality shows interest in the thoughts, feelings, pursuits, and preferences of its guests. It is good at asking questions and listening intently to answers. Hospitality focuses attention on others. Entertaining is always thinking about the next course. Hospitality burns the rolls because it was listening to a story. Entertaining obsesses over what went wrong. Hospitality savors what was shared. Entertaining, exhausted, says, “It was nothing, really!” Hospitality thinks it was nothing. Our motives are revealed not just in how we set our tables, but in who we invite to join us at the feast. Entertaining invites those who will enjoy it.

Discussion Questions:

What is your personal definition of radical hospitality, and how does it differ from conventional hospitality or “entertaining?”
Where have you personally experienced or received great hospitality, and what made it memorable?
How does the concept of radical hospitality challenge our current cultural norms or our own comfort zones?
According to Scripture (e.g., Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9), what are the core principles and potential outcomes of showing radical hospitality?
What are the internal or external barriers that make it difficult for you or your community to practice radical hospitality?
Why do you think Peter added the phrase “without grumbling” in 1 Peter 4:9, and how can we avoid grumbling in our acts of service?
What are one or two practical ways you can show “extreme hospitality” in your daily life this week?
How can your church or community better remove barriers to the Gospel through radical hospitality?
How can you apply the guidance from Scripture to bridge potential disagreements within your church community through radical hospitality?
What is the one takeaway from this message?

Take one thing home with you:

As the early church grew and Christianity began to spread, we continue to see the significance of the table as a means of gathering together. Acts 2:46 tells us “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.” In the very next verse of this text, the writer of Acts reveals the purpose behind the table: “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:27).