Icebreaker
- What’s the one of the most memorable meals you’ve ever shared with someone?
- Who has made you feel especially welcomed or “at home”? What did they do?
Observation:
- Read John 21:15-19 Put yourself in Peter’s shoes, what might be going through his mind? Why do you think Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” before telling him, “Feed my sheep”? What can we learn from this?
- Read 3 John 1:1-8 What stands out to you about Gaius? Why does John celebrate his hospitality so highly? Why does hospitality come up so much in the Scriptures?
- Read 3 John 1:9-10 What attitudes and actions characterize Diotrephes? How do those same attitudes show up in families, workplaces, or churches today? What can we do to mitigate them?
- Read 3 John 1:11-15 John says, “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” What sorts of things might he be referring to? Who are people in your life that you could imitate?
Application
- The sermon suggested that hospitality is making room for someone else. Where do you have room to offer hospitality?
- Which temptation do you identify with more? Wanting to be recognized OR withdrawing and assuming someone else will step in. What might Jesus’ encouragement be surrounding these temptations?
- Imagine someone describing you years from now. What would you hope they would say about the way you treated people? Where do you have grow to get to that place?
Prayer
Pray for one another by name. Ask God to:
- Form in you the humble heart of Jesus.
- Make your home and your welcoming places.
- Give you eyes to notice those who feel unseen or left out.
- Make Shepherd of the Valley a church where people encounter the hospitality of Christ.
