Hospitality

(Written 8/19/18)
I just finished a four week bible study series on hospitality with a group of college-aged folks from my church. Now, hospitality is kind of an unusual topic for a bible study. There are many, many other topics that would come to my mind before hospitality if I were asked to lead a topical bible study. In fact, when Brad announced that we were going to be doing a short study on hospitality to round out the summer, everyone was kind of like "meh, okay." I didn't have anything against it, but I was not particularly excited for it. Yet, this has been one of the most soul-feeding bible studies I've ever been a part of.

A lot of that is due to Brad, I think. His own character has shown through in leading the study: his love for God and love for people. And he is also a phenomenal small group leader. He leads discussion into deep and interesting topics and has done a great job of drawing meaningful contribution out of everyone.

I am in and of myself naturally completely lacking in hospitality, it is just not something that I have ever done, but this study has given me a desire to really care for people as I go back to college. Last year I was very concerned about meeting people I'd like and making good friends so I would enjoy college and not be lonely. This year (though I am once again on a hall where I know no one, having been separated from my buddies through some unfortunate problems during housing registration) I want to focus on others, meeting people and talking to them with the intention of getting to know who they are so that I can be a means of Christ's love to them. Going to college can be incredibly jarring for people, being separated from their family and all they've ever known, and I want to be able to help someone through that. I want to be able to talk to and care about everyone I see on my hall.