“… And let us consider how we may spur one another onto love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
“… She has done what she could….” Mark14:8
Purpose: This lesson is a review of the concept of good deeds, especially hospitality. It is meant to spur us onto continuing in good deeds. It is not meant to lay a burden on you or make you feel guilty. Our schedules, opportunities and circles of influence are different, so each one’s good deeds will be different. We are responsible only to do what we can. This lesson is purely a reminder to us of the doors that open for God to work when we practice doing good deeds.
What memory of hospitality towards you stands out in your mind?
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How have people shown good deeds to you?
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Hospitality: A Good Deed
There are 9 New Testament scriptures that specifically mention hospitality. Good deeds and hospitality are valuable to God. He works through our deeds in ways we cannot imagine.
Requirement for the office of an elder
1Timothy 3:2: “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money…”
Titus 1:8: “Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
Requirement to be on the widows’ list for assistance
1 Timothy 5:9-10: “No widow can be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
A Characteristic of the Christian Life
Romans 12:13: “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (pursuing the love of strangers)
Romans 16:23: Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
“greet you Timothy, my co-worker, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen…there greets you Gaius, my host, and host of the whole assembly.” (house church)
1 Peter 4:9: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
III John 1:8: “Dear friends, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers even though they are strangers to you …We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.”
Definition of Hospitality:
From the scriptures and the original New Testament word for hospitality, we can develop an understanding of what hospitality means.
Philoxenia: philo – friend,love; xenia –stranger à love of strangers-“stranger lover”
Hospitality is:
- more than having friends over
- it involves entertaining strangers
- in the context of the NT it is taking in traveling Christians; those who were scattered because of persecution; traveling workers/ministers;
- it could be a church assembling in your home. A study, a Bible talk
- furnishing supplies to the traveler; meeting their needs (3 John 1:5-8: “You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God…”)
- having a welcoming attitude and spirit towards others
- honoring others (Acts 28:7-10) (“ welcomed us…entertained us hospitably… they honored us in many ways… furnished us with supplies…”)
- hospitality is something that is to be pursued intensely; planned;
– Rom.12:13 practice hospitality means “to pursue it;” it comes from the word that is the base word for persecution-which is an intense pursuit.
Hospitality Opens doors: God Works In and Through Hospitality
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2
Examples in the Old Testament
God use occasions of hospitality to send messages; deepen intimacy; prevent unrighteousness; work salvation; sift hearts; meet needs and impact others lives.
1. Genesis 18:2 -33: Abraham entertained strangers who gave him the message that he would have a son, and warned him about
2. Joshua 2: 1- 25- Rahab in faith welcomes and hides the Israelites when they spied out the
3. I Samuel 25:14-35: Abigail is hospitable to David and his men and in so doing saves David from bloodguilt.
4. Esther 5,6,7: Esther invites the king to a banquet twice before she makes her request which leads to saving her people.
5. 2 Kings 4:8-10: The Shunamite woman made a small room for Elisha to stay in whenever he traveled through the land. She did this because she recognized him as a man of God. She honored him and provided for him.
What are my convictions about practicing hospitality? In what ways do I need to grow in my practice of hospitality? ______________________________________________________________________
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(Real Life Example: The role of hospitality in Deidre’s conversion).
Hindrances to Hospitality
· Stress of planning and hosting an event in the midst of a busy schedule
· Maintaining an attitude of warmth and love
· Insecurities and fears about our home, family, quality of food and presentation
· Focusing on details and not people can make us frantic and anxious
· Thinking we cannot fit it into our schedule or our budget
· Restrictive view of hospitality: Hospitality does not have to be an elaborate meal. It can be making cookies and taking them to a family; having people over for coffee and cookies (can be store bought); taking a meal to some one; providing money for groceries for someone in need; etc,etc.
What is my greatest obstacle in practicing hospitality?
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Satan’s Schemes to Prevent Good Deeds and Mar Hospitality
“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
· Gets distracted by details, we lose the love and warmth; possibly grumble
· Try to control everything, and get upset when things don’t work out as planned
· We are independent and don’t ask for help then we feel put out
· Makes us feel inadequate or like a failure
We need to be aware of satan’s schemes and “… Guard our hearts…” Proverbs 4: Guard against the devil’s schemes; he wants to dim my light before men>
How does Satan try to work in my life to keep me from practicing this?
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Why we should not feel insecure in our good deeds/hospitality.
· we’re created in His image(Gen 1:26)
we reflect the Lord’s glory (2Cor 3:18)
· we have all we need (2Peter 1:3)
· we’ve been taught by God (1Thes 4:9)
· we have Jesus’ example (John 13:15)
· we are the light of the world( Matt 5:14-16)
What is my greatest insecurity and how can I overcome it?
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Final Exhortation:
Your labor in the Lord is never in vain 1Cor 15:58 .
To Whom Do We Offer Hospitality and Do Good Deeds?
(Refer to Survey)
We tend to want to be with the “good” people; the known people; those we feel most comfortable with; the talented; educated; etc. Perhaps we do this because of our own insecurities; fears; and listening to Satan’s accusations that we are “not good enough; or we won’t be able to help that person; we don’t know enough, etc.”
We shy away from those who struggle; who have obvious sin problems; who have characteristics we don’t approve of , etc.
We were born into “the body, we need each other’s encouragement:
· have vision for every one
· Jesus had vision for Peter; the demon possessed man in the tombs of Gadarenes
· woman caught in adultery; Mary Magdalene; the woman at the well; the paralytic; the ten lepers; etc.
Scriptures on Encouraging one another.
Encourage One Another
Be known for encouraging others
Acts 4:36 – Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),
The Holy Spirit encourages us
Acts 9:31-Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and
Encourage Faithfulness
Acts 11:23 -When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
Encourage with the Word
Acts 13:15- After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
Acts 15:32- Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
Encourage others by meeting together
Acts 16:40-After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to
Encourage Others to go and Share the Word
Acts 18:27- When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
Encourage with the Word
Acts 20:2- He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in
Praying/Giving Thanks
Acts 27:36 -They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
By seeing Other Disciples
Acts 28:15-The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
Romans 1:11-12- I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Use our gifts to encourage
Romans 12:8- if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 15:4 -For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Let the Scripture encourage
Romans 15:5 – May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
God encourages
1Corinthians 14:3 -But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Teaching the Word
1 Corinthians 14:31-For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
Be encouraged by other’s growth/works
2 Corinthians 7:4- I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
Encouraged by repentance
2 Corinthians 7:13 – By all this we are encouraged.(context: encouraged at the repentance of the Corinthians).
Encouraged by the life/example of others
2 Corinthians 7:14- In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.
Encouraged by the news of others
Ephesians 6:22- I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Encouraged by the courage/strength of others
Philippians 1:14-Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Encouraged by being united with Christ
Philippians 2;2- If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Colossians 2:2- My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full
Encourage by teaching sound doctrine
Titus 1:9-He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Encourage self control
Titus 2:6-Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
Encourage/rebuke
Titus 2:15-These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Encouraged by the love of others
Philemon 1:7-Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Encourage daily
Hebrews 3:13-But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Encouraged by hope
Hebrews 6:18-God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
Encourage by meeting together
Hebrews 10:25-Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Encourage by the message and by our identity as sons
Hebrews 12:5-And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
People to Ponder (Survey)
If you lived during the time of Jesus who would like to talk to or even develop a friendship with. Circle one of each pair.
Peter or John
Mary the mother of Jesus or Mary Magdalene
Levi or Luke
Euodia or Dorcas
Gaius (house church) or Demas
Older Brother of the Prodigal son or the younger brother
The prodigal son’s father or the prodigal son
The Samaritan woman at the well or Martha
Pick one of your choices and state why you would want to develop a relationship with him or her.
Links to all the Designed on Purpose class notes can be found in the Introductory Article.
Please send feedback or submissions for Women Today/Studies, Lessons, and Devotionals to jeanie.shaw@dtoday.net or sharon.metzger@dtoday.net.
