In the Workshop--Lesson 16--The Art of Hospitality--Luke 15 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.     In what ways have you experienced being a stranger or orphan?  What do you see from the word for “hospitality” being made up of two words in the Greek, the word for love (philo) and the word for strangers or outsiders (xenia)?

2.     What is the difference in hospitality and entertaining people?  Why was hospitality in Old Testament times so challenging?  What do you like or dislike about what hospitality was like in Old Testament times?

3.     Why is it important to focus on reaching those who are outsiders, and not just exclusively on a relationship with God?  How did Tony Campolo’s example of throwing a birthday party for Agnes inspire you?  Who do you know that is an outsider?

4.     How should our church provide hospitality to those who will never join us for worship? 

5.     What makes accepting hospitality from others difficult to do?  How has this unfortunate attitude crept into our relationship with God?  How has God offered you hospitality?

6.     What is table fellowship?  How did Jesus constantly offer table fellowship to the people He encountered?  How is communion a form of table fellowship?  How do you feel about being invited to the table with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?