The Big Connect
About this talk:
Being in community with God's people - the church - is one of the great privileges of following Jesus. The Bible describes the church in various ways, including reference to each member of the Trinity - the family of God (the Father), the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, as part of the Big Connect weekend, we'll be looking at what it means to understand the community of the church in such ways and be inspired to live in line with our identity as family, body and temple - and through doing so to be a witness to the world of what God intends true community to be.
Audio only
Discussion Questions: The Power of Hospitality in Building Christian Community
Welcome & Introduction (5 min)
Open with a simple prayer inviting God to open your hearts to deeper connection and to shape you into a hospitable community.
Briefly introduce the theme: "Hospitality is not just about food; it's about making room for others to belong, to be seen, and to be loved."
Scripture Reflection (10 min)
Read these verses together:
1 Peter 4:9 — "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Acts 2:46-47 — "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…"
Romans 12:13 — "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Hebrews 13:2 — "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
Ask the group:
What stands out to you in these verses?
Why do you think hospitality is so central in these early Christian communities?
Going Deeper (15 min)
Discuss these prompts:
What did you think of the idea that "radical, regular hospitality is the basic building block of Christian community"?
Jesus shared meals so often (Luke's gospel records about 10 of them!) — what does that tell us about the power of eating together?
Important question - What gets in the way of hospitality? (for example: rejection, selfishness, insecurity, envy, time, other priorities)
Which of these is most challenging for you personally?
How might God help heal or transform these barriers?
Practical Implementation (15 min)
Brainstorm together:
What would "extending your table" look like practically in your life? (examples: regularly inviting neighbours, a simple potluck, inviting someone from church you don't know well, etc.)
How could your life group itself practice hospitality in the next month?
One-off event?
Weekly shared meal?
Rotate homes?
Important Question - Who in your circles (esp. non-church people) might feel alone and unloved?
What is one step you could take this week to include them?
Wrap Up & Prayer (5 min)
Invite everyone to share one action they feel stirred to take.
Pray over those commitments, asking God to give courage, compassion, and creativity in extending hospitality.
