Evangelism For Everyone: Hospitality 

Summary

Welcome to the Evangelism For Everyone series!

Over the next six weeks at Henley and Enfield, we'll be unpacking the HABITS of evangelism that every one of us has the opportunity, call and privilege to live out.

GK Chesterton: 'Evangelism has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.'

How can we make this imperative, Great Commandment-driven part of our faith accessible to people who aren’t extreme extroverts and ADHD enthusiasts?

By building simple evangelism HABITS.

Hospitality

Asking Great Questions
Being a Christian
Invitation
Testimony
Spiritual Hunger

Today begins a journey into making evangelism accessible for everyone, not just the few who feel naturally gifted. The focus of today's approach is Hospitality—radically ordinary, everyday acts of welcoming others into our lives. Hospitality is not about perfection or grand gestures, but about loving strangers, turning them into neighbours, and neighbours into the family of God. This is how the love of Jesus becomes tangible and believable to those around us. The Christian faith is not meant to be hidden; it is meant to be lived out in the open, through open doors, shared meals, and genuine relationships.

Hospitality is both spiritual and practical. It is prayerful and intentional, but also gritty, transparent and organic. The call is to treat every guest as an image-bearer of God, worthy of our attention and service, just as God has welcomed us. Peter’s words in 1 Peter 4 remind us to be hospitable without complaining, using our gifts to serve others as caretakers of God’s grace. Every believer has received the same grace, the same Spirit, and the same call to love and serve.

Practical hospitality can be as simple as throwing a party or sharing a meal. The early church grew not just through preaching, but through breaking bread together and building real community. When we merge our worlds—inviting Christian and non-Christian friends to connect—we create spaces where trust and faith can grow. Serving others, even with something as humble as a toastie or a bowl of ramen, is a powerful act of love that reflects the heart of Jesus.

True hospitality is not about having it all together. It’s about inviting people into our real, sometimes messy lives, and being willing to receive as well as give. The secular vision of hospitality is about impressing others; the Christian vision is about making room for others, just as God made room for us. Jesus himself modeled this, coming as a stranger, receiving hospitality, and ultimately offering the greatest welcome through the cross.

For those who don’t yet know Jesus, the invitation is open: God’s hospitality is for you. For those who already follow Jesus, the challenge is to listen to the Holy Spirit, meet someone new, and begin the process of turning strangers into neighbours into the family of God. This is how the love of God is made visible in the world.

Key Takeaways

- Hospitality is Evangelism in Action
Hospitality is not a secondary or optional part of the Christian life; it is a primary way we embody and share the gospel. By welcoming strangers and loving our neighbours, we make the love of Jesus real and accessible. This is not about grand gestures, but about consistent, ordinary acts of kindness that reflect God’s grace. When we open our homes and lives, we invite others to experience the tangible reality of God’s love. [37:58]

- The Power of Imperfect, Messy Hospitality
True Christian hospitality does not require perfection. In fact, insisting on perfection can be a barrier to genuine connection. Inviting people into our real, sometimes chaotic lives demonstrates humility and authenticity, and allows others to see that God’s grace is for the imperfect and the broken. Receiving hospitality from others is just as important as giving it, as it affirms their value and gifts. [48:29]

- Speaking and Serving: Two Sides of Mission
Evangelism is not just about speaking the right words; it is about serving in love. Throwing better parties and creating spaces for connection are as vital as sharing the gospel verbally. Serving others with simple acts—like sharing a meal—demonstrates the love of Christ in practical ways. When speaking and serving are intertwined, the gospel becomes both heard and seen. [44:32]

 - Everyone Has a Part to Play
No one is disqualified from participating in God’s mission because of lack of resources, time, or ability. Every believer has received the same grace and the same Spirit, and is called to steward that grace by loving others. The “clock face of evangelism” reminds us that each small act—each step closer to Jesus—matters, and that we are all part of a larger story God is writing in people’s lives. [39:59]

- Jesus, the Ultimate Host and Guest
Jesus modeled hospitality by both receiving and giving it. He entered the world as a vulnerable guest, dependent on human kindness, and ultimately offered the greatest act of hospitality by welcoming us into God’s family through the cross. Our acts of hospitality are a response to the welcome we have received from God, and a way to point others to the open arms of Jesus. [57:33]

YouTube Chapters: Hospitality

[34:52] - Introduction: Evangelism for Everyone
[37:58] - Hospitality as Evangelism
[39:59] - The Grace of God and Our Calling
[44:32] - Speaking and Serving: Practical Hospitality
[46:58] - The Challenge of Closed Circles
[48:29] - Simple Acts: Meals and Service
[57:33] - Jesus’ Hospitality and the Cross

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Hospitality as Evangelism

TEACHING TEXT

1 Peter 4:8-11 (CSB)
> Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

SUPPORT TEXTS

Hebrews 13:2 (CSB)
> Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Acts 2:46-47 (CSB)
> Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 4, what attitude should we have when showing hospitality to others?
2. In Hebrews 13:2, what surprising outcome does the writer mention about practicing hospitality?
3. How did the early church in Acts 2:46-47 practice hospitality, and what was the result?
4. The sermon described hospitality as “radically ordinary” and not about perfection. What are some examples you can think of of simple acts of hospitality? [[48:29]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter emphasises being hospitable “without complaining”? What might be the challenges that cause people to grumble about hospitality? [[39:59]]
2. Ps Mike suggests, “Hospitality is not about perfection or grand gestures, but about loving strangers, turning them into neighbours, and neighbours into the family of God.” How does this idea of imperfection and these two movements reshape the way we think about evangelism? [[37:58]]
3. In Acts 2, the early church’s hospitality led to “the Lord adding to their number daily.” What does this suggest about the connection between community, hospitality, and people coming to faith? [[44:32]]
4. Ps Mike mentions that receiving hospitality is just as important as giving it. Why might it be hard for some people to receive hospitality, and what does it reveal about our understanding of grace? [[48:29]]
5. In 1 Peter 4, Peter emphasises not only that hospitality is about speaking and serving, but suggests that it can be a counterbalance to the 'unrestrained' sins he lists in verse 3. Ps Mike suggests that greed is the opposite of hospitality. Where do you struggle with restraints in your life? Do you think they prevent you having margin for others?

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “meet someone new, and begin the process of turning strangers into family.” Who is one person in your life right now that you could intentionally reach out to this week? What would it look like to take a first step? [[01:03:02]]
2. Think about your home or your daily routine. What is one simple, “imperfect” way you could practice hospitality this month—maybe inviting someone for coffee, sharing a meal, or just making space for conversation? What holds you back from doing this? [[48:29]]
3. Dr Sam Chan talks about “merging universes”—bringing Christian and non-Christian friends together. Is there a natural way you could do this in your life, such as a casual get-together or shared activity? What might be the benefits and challenges? [[44:32]]
4. Ps MIke said, “Hospitality is evangelism in action.” How does this change your view of what it means to share your faith? What is one practical step you can take this week to make the love of Jesus tangible to someone around you? [[37:58]]
5. Ps MIke said, “True hospitality is not about having it all together. It’s about inviting people into our real, sometimes messy lives.” How comfortable are you with letting people see the “messy” parts of your life? What would help you grow in this area? [[48:29]]
6. Jesus modeled both giving and receiving hospitality, even as a guest in others’ homes. When was the last time you allowed someone to serve or help you? Do you find that easy or difficult? Why? [[57:33]]
7. Encounter's “plus one” challenge asks us to pray for one person who doesn’t know Jesus. Who is your “plus one”? How can you pray for them and look for opportunities to show them hospitality? [[01:03:02]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person take a step toward practicing genuine, grace-filled hospitality this week. Pray for each other's +1's.

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Devotional

Day 1: Hospitality as Evangelism: Loving Strangers as God Loves Us
Hospitality is more than entertaining friends; it is a spiritual practice that welcomes strangers, reflects the love of God, and makes the gospel tangible. True Christian hospitality is rooted in the love of strangers—philoxenia, in the Greek —and is a way to live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbour as ourselves. When we open our homes and lives, we make visible the grace God has given us, treating every guest as divinely created and worthy of our care. This is not about perfection or performance, but about sharing the grace we have received, making the Christian faith real, approachable, and attractive to those who may not yet know Jesus. [39:59]

Hebrews 13:2 (CSB)
Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Reflection: Who is one person outside your usual circle you could invite into your home or life this week, treating them as someone deeply valued by God?


Day 2: Speaking and Serving: Everyday Acts that Point to Jesus
Evangelism is not reserved for professionals; it is for everyone who follows Jesus, and it often looks like simple acts of speaking and serving. Creating spaces for connection—like throwing a small party or inviting people for a meal—helps merge our worlds and allows others to experience the love of Jesus through community. Serving others, even with something as simple as a shared meal, demonstrates God’s love in practical ways. These everyday acts, done with intentionality and love, are powerful tools for sharing faith and building relationships that can lead others closer to Christ. [48:29]

Acts 2:46-47 (CSB)
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Reflection: What is one simple way you can create a space for connection—like a meal or gathering—where your Christian and non-Christian friends can experience genuine community together?


Day 3: Messy, Imperfect Hospitality: Making Room for Others
Christian hospitality is not about having a perfect home or life; it’s about making space for others in the midst of our mess and being willing to both give and receive care. The world’s vision of hospitality is polished and exclusive, but the way of Jesus is spontaneous, humble, and open to anyone God brings across our path. Inviting others into our real, everyday lives—dishes in the sink and all—shows them they are needed and valued, and allows us to receive their gifts as well. This kind of hospitality is a mutual exchange of grace, where both host and guest are blessed and reminded of their worth in God’s eyes. [53:55]

Romans 12:13 (CSB)
Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

Reflection: What is one area of your life or home you’ve been hesitant to share with others out of fear of imperfection, and how could you invite someone in anyway this week?


Day 4: Jesus’ Radical Hospitality: Welcoming Us Home
Jesus modeled the ultimate hospitality by becoming a stranger Himself, receiving the hospitality of humanity, and then offering His life so that we could be welcomed into God’s family. He was born in humble circumstances, lived among us, and was ultimately rejected and crucified so that the doors of heaven could be opened to us. This sacrificial love is the heart of the gospel: we are welcomed not because we are perfect, but because Jesus gave everything for us. His arms open wide on the cross are the invitation for every person to come home to God, no matter how far they feel. [57:33]

Romans 10:9 (CSB)
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus welcomed you as a stranger inspire you to extend that same welcome to others, even those who may feel far from God?


Day 5: Living Out Grace: Sharing God’s Love in Everyday Life
The grace of God is not given to us to be hoarded, but to be shared with others through acts of love, generosity, and intentional prayer. Every follower of Jesus has the same Spirit, the same grace, and the same call to be on mission—turning strangers into neighbours and neighbours into family. This starts with small, faithful steps: praying for one person, reaching out in kindness, and being willing to play your part in someone’s journey toward Jesus. As we do this, our lives become a visible sign of God’s love, and we participate in the ongoing story of God welcoming people home. [01:03:02]

1 Peter 4:9-10 (CSB)
Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Reflection: Who is your “plus one”—the person God is putting on your heart to pray for and reach out to this week—and what is one practical step you can take to show them God’s love?

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Next Week

Asking Great Questions.

A terrific opportunity to go deeper together as community in your accountability and growth!

Quotes

Hospitality is one of the greatest simple ways to share your faith. The actual word in the original Greek is philoxenia, love of strangers. You can't actually do hospitality without loving strangers. That's the original root of the word. This is how we live out the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is that you care for those who are in need. You care for those who are strangers. It's how we love people with our hands, not just our words. As the Apostle James said, faith without deeds is dead. It's how we live out the great commandment, where Jesus said, we love our neighbour as ourselves. Hospitality is how we do that. [00:39:17] (40 seconds)  #LoveStrangersLiveFaith Edit Clip

Radically ordinary hospitality is this, using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers become neighbors and neighbors become the family of God. Strangers to neighbors, neighbors to the family of God. The purpose of radically ordinary hospitality is to build, focus, deepen and strengthen the family of God. Pointing others to the Bible believing local church and being earthly and spiritual good to everyone we know. [00:40:54] (26 seconds)  #StrangersToFamily Edit Clip

The Christian vision of hospitality is this. It's having margin for anyone who comes across your path and following the prompting of God. It's allowing people into the mess of your lives and going without judgment into the mess of theirs and it's loving them in that space. That's how that works. You don't love your neighbour because they're going to do something for you and you don't want them to love you because you've got your act together. [00:54:51] (23 seconds)  #MarginForMess Edit Clip

You were welcomed as a stranger by God. And this is the heart of the gospel. Nobody modeled the hospitality of strangers more than Jesus because He was the stranger receiving hospitality. This is how His life was bookended. He came to earth as a baby requiring full hospitality. Came with no power, no strength, nothing. He entrusted Himself. God, the all-powerful entrusted Himself to humanity. [00:56:18] (27 seconds)  #WelcomedAsStrangers Edit Clip

Here is where our hospitality took Jesus. To the cross. Our hospitality, our sense of greed, our sin, our judgmentalism, our selfishness, led Jesus to be nailed to the cross. And on that cross, Jesus, with arms wide open, put an end to death by closing that door and opened the doors to heaven for you and for me. Jesus was rejected and outcast by human hospitality. And He took that on willingly so that you would be forever welcomed into eternity, into the kingdom of God. [00:57:08] (36 seconds)  #HospitalityLedToCross Edit Clip

Maybe you need to literally get to know your physical neighbor, right? Like sometimes in church we hear like, who is your neighbor? Well, everyone's your neighbor, yes, but also your neighbor is your neighbor. And sometimes we skip that part to go to the other part. It's both end. It's both end. Maybe there's somebody at work who you can bless. And I just want to challenge you this week. If you're a follower of Jesus, cross the room and meet someone new. Turn a stranger into a neighbor. Turn a neighbor into the family of God. Begin that process. [01:03:23] (32 seconds)  #KnowYourNeighbor Edit Clip

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