Chapter 3: A Timely Invitation

How this works

Listen to Joanne read the chapter using the audio player above, and then dive into the corresponding group discussion questions below.

Chapter 3 - Group Discussion Questions

1. If Jesus in the flesh were to literally knock on your front door, what meal or snack would  you serve that would be a reflection of your unique personality?  What would you anticipate.

2. Do you think most women have a desire to be hospitable?  Explain.

3. How does the commitment to “linger at the table” and “live in the moment” work together? What is the hardest part about living in the moment for you?

4. What is your stronger inclination within your local worshipping community—to be a giver or receiver? What is one step you need to take to more fully enjoy the reciprocal life?

5. If you are married, describe your most rewarding “doing it together” hospitality.

6. Sometimes we need to “laugh our way to a new day. Describe a flop, disaster or Murphy’s Law dinner night that almost convinced you to never again do the hospitality thing.

7. Whose home would you like to be invited to, and why?

   
   

Going Deeper

1. Jesus said to his disciples, “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me, receives the one who sent me.” (Matthew 10:40)  If you were to cultivate the habit of imagining you are receiving Christ when you receive others into your home, how do you think it would transform your attitude about hospitality?

2. Gratitude and humility are inseparable. Receiving and sharing daily bread is God’s way of growing this fruit in our lives. The next time you make a grocery list, write on the other side the names of your family and someone you’d like to invite for dinner. Use this as a prompter to pray, asking God to use your table to grow humility and gratitude in his children.

Taste and See 

It’s not uncommon for recipes to get retitled according to the enthusiastic preferences of our children. I have a well-worn splattered recipe card titled, “Shelly’s noodles.” I’m pretty sure most any child would love to eat this for dinner. And here’s a love-idea for those of you past the baby-and-toddler stage of parenting: Recall a recipe your kids liked, then surprise a young, exhausted mother with a home delivery or an invitation to your table for this favorite kid meal.

Shelly’s noodles

• 1 ½ cups small-shell noodles

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey

• 1 small onion, minced

• One 8-ounce can tomato sauce

• ½ cup milk or water

• 1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ½  cup grated cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Dash of celery salt

Cook noodles, drain, and rinse.  Brown hamburger, drain fat.  Mix in remaining ingredients. Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees F.

Note: one way to sneak healthy veggies into this meal is adding some chopped kale or spinach just after you have browned the meat