Gospel Hospitality
You pull onto the drive; grab your phone; open the car door and spring from your seat, noticing as you do so that your next-door neighbour - the one who likes to talk! - is in their garden.
Do you:
a) AVOID
You keep your head down and avoid eye contact - you’ve got to get dinner sorted before Bible study later.
b) BYPASS
You lift a hand of acknowledgement and add, “Sorry Allan, I’m in a bit of a rush” as you dash inside.
c) CHAT
You approach the fence and check how they’re doing, adding that you must put a date in the diary to have them round for dinner soon.
Although people are spending more time at home than in previous decades, the amount of interaction with neighbours is surprisingly small. Under 30’s admit to rarely interacting with their neighbours at all
In a world that often feels isolated and impersonal, the warmth of genuine hospitality can be a powerful tool for sharing the gospel. Inviting friends and neighbours into our homes can pave the way for meaningful conversations, deeper relationships, and the sharing of our faith in a way that is both natural and impactful.
What might it look like if Christians across the country believed that God has empowered them to be witnesses in our neighbourhoods and local communities, by the power of His Spirit? Picture the incredible transformation in our communities if we made it our aim to make Jesus known among our neighbours.
What would change in our neighbourhoods if we were changed by the comfort of God? If rather than “grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13), we had a light at the end of the tunnel?
“Without needing to travel overseas or across town, we can help our neighbours see and savour Jesus amidst their bland or dark newsfeeds. In all our ordinariness, we are exactly the salt and the light they need.” Neighbourhoods Reimagined:How the Beatitudes Inspire our Call to be Good Neighbours.
How can our interactions with our neighbours lead to us sharing the gospel?
Build trust through opening your home
Hospitality creates a welcoming environment where friendships and trust can flourish. When we invite someone into our home, we are offering a glimpse into our lives, demonstrating vulnerability and openness to our everyday situations - the demands of our jobs, children, pets, responsibilities and more. This kindness in hospitality speaks volumes about our character and our values.
Demonstrate love in action
The gospel is rooted in love— God’s love for His people, which overflows in His followers to love for one another. Hospitality is an outward expression of this love. When we serve others with a cheerful heart, we mirror the love that Christ has for us. Sharing a meal or offering a listening ear can be meaningful acts of love that impact people profoundly. Through these actions, we demonstrate the practical application of our faith, showing that the gospel is not just words, but a transformed life in the power of the Spirit.
Create opportunities for meaningful conversations
Inviting friends and neighbours into our homes provides an informal setting for meaningful conversations. Over a shared meal or a cup of tea or coffee, we can discuss life's joys and challenges, hopes and fears, and most importantly, our faith. By weaving the gospel into our everyday interactions, we make it accessible and relatable to those around us.
Scattering Seeds of Hope has some helpful suggestions for those unsure how to introduce faith into a conversation with a non-Christian friend or neighbour.
Build community and a sense of belonging
By opening our homes to others, we create a space where people can connect, share, and support one another.
A sense of community is vital for spreading the gospel, as it provides a strong foundation of relationships built on love and trust. A close-knit community can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Christian faith.
Don Whitney suggests that evangelism is a spiritual discipline. In Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life he wrote, “You’ll have to discipline yourself to ask your neighbours how you can pray for them or when you can share a meal with them. You’ll have to discipline yourself to get together with your coworkers during off-hours. Many such opportunities for evangelism will never take place if you wait for them to occur spontaneously.”
Reflect the heart of Christ
Christ modeled the importance of hospitality during his earthly ministry. He ate with sinners, healed the sick, and welcomed the outcast. By following his example, we reflect his heart to those around us. When we practice hospitality, we are living out the gospel in a way that is both authentic and impactful. Our actions speak louder than words, and through our hospitality, we can show others the love and grace that Christ offers.
How to get started:
Pray for your neighbours.
Don’t yet know your neighbours? Pray for an opportunity to speak to them and get to know them a little better. Once you do know your neighbours you can pray more specifically for opportunities to share the gospel, and to serve them.
2. Invite your neighbours over for a meal.
Even if you have lived in your home for years, it’s never too late to invite someone over for a meal. You could simply say “I’m sorry we’ve never had a chance to get together, we’d love it if you could join us next month.” Don’t feel the pressure to go full dinner party; a more relaxed meal will actually help your neighbours feel at home. If they are willing and able to contribute something, then that will also help them to feel a part of the meal. If you’ve got the weather then outdoor socials are even more relaxed, and allow the opportunity to invite a few neighbours at once.
3. Make the most of seasonal and special events.
Depending on the age and stage of your neighbours then inviting them round for a family egg hunt at Easter; to watch the finals of a sporting event you enjoy; or for a pre-Christmas mince pie and mulled punch; are just a few ways of taking the opportunities that these seasons provide.
4. Invite your neighbours to church.
As you get to know your neighbours it will naturally come up in conversation about your church. Simply asking, “Do you have a church you attend? You’d be really welcome at [insert church name!] if you ever wanted to join us!”. You’ll get a sense immediately if they are interested, but once you’ve broached it you will find it much easier to throw out an invitation to other events, and you will likely be the first port of call should they ever decide to visit a church.
Finally
Hospitality is a vital tool for sharing the gospel with our friends and neighbours. It builds trust, demonstrates Christ's love in action, creates opportunities for meaningful conversations, fosters community, and reflects the heart of Christ. By opening our homes and hearts to others, we can make a profound impact on their lives and share the transformative power of the gospel in a way that is both natural and compelling. So let's embrace the spirit of hospitality and use it to spread the good news of Christ to those around us!
By praying earnestly, seeking opportunities, extending heartfelt invitations, sharing our faith, and investing time and love, we could witness God's remarkable work in the lives of those around us.
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.”
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