1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian Community- The Context For Change | Page 5

For Christians, a delight in the guest / host relationship reflects the
expectation that God will play a significant role in the ordinary exchange
between guests and hosts. This lends to hospitality a sacramental quality…
The allusion to those who entertained angels as their guests without
knowing it [Hebrews 13 v 2] reflects the writer?s sensitivity to the numinous
qualities of hospitality that often enrich its purely social aspects.
Challenge Point:
- Read 1 Peter 3:15 – 16. What are the key insights in these two verses
that help us as individual Christians and as a church reach out to people
who don?t yet know Christ?
- Frank Retief, a South African pastor and founder of St James Church
writes: „People without Jesus go to hell – if you really believe that you?ve
got to take risks, take a chance and be prepared to fail.? When last did you
take a risk to communicate Christ to others?
- Consider perhaps hosting your own event, where you can invite nonbelieving friends, colleagues, neighbours. Include also people from your
Christian community, thereby creating an opportunity for you to “practice
hospitality”.

Wednesday
Acts 10 v 24, 16 v 15, 16 v 31, 18 v 8
In the book of Acts, the main method of evangelism is “household
evangelism.” Consider the Bible readings for today.
Oikos, the Greek word for “household,” means far more than the nuclear
family. A Greco-Roman household included not only several generations of
the same family, but also servants, their families, friends, and business
associates.
An oikos is a web of relationships held in common
•
•
•
•
•

Kinship affinity (relatives)
Geographical affinity (neighbours)
Professional affinity (co-workers)
Associational affinities (special interest colleagues)
Just plain friends.