Be Hospitable to One Another

Hospitality is one of those things that must have become a lost art with many in the church today.

• Some may remember when everyone on your street was known by name. Back when a “stranger”, that is a new person or family moved into the neighborhood—people would bring them welcoming pies and goodies along with an invitation to dinner or family barbecue—and before you know it, they are no longer strangers.
• I hope that in this little part of our study from God’s word we will find spiritual resolve and strength to reverse the inhospitable trend among many of the people of God.

Peter commands the saints in Christ must be, “hospitable to one another without grumbling” – 1 Peter 4:9. Consider the Greek words definition of “Hospitality” . Greek: [φιλόξενος]: Pronounced (fil-ox’-en-os). A compound word [φιλός] “lover of”, and [ξενος]  “strange or strangers. It is one of the qualifications for a man seeking the position of Elder (1 Timothy 3:2). 

I pray that as our lesson unfolds, you’ll have enough scripture to connect the dots and realize that being hospitable, practicing hospitality is required of every member—not just elders.