Text Study for Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Series Theme: You Welcomed Me – our call to hospitality as people of faith.

Reading: 1 Peter 4:8-11

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What is something you enjoy complaining about?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord Jesus, you welcomed all who came into your presence. May I reflect that same spirit through this ministry of hospitality. May your light shine in my heart this day. Remove from me anything that would stand in the way of radiating your presence.

As people enter this Church to worship and praise You, may they hear your voice in my words and see your love in my actions. May my “welcome” reflect our joy at their presence amid my “good-by” encourage them to return soon.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and ask your blessing upon all my efforts. I ask this through our God who is the giver of all gifts.

CONTEXT

As people of faith, we are called to practice hospitality not as a mere act of kindness, but as a sacred expression of our beliefs. Hospitality is a faith practice that reflects the heart of God. When we welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable, and create space for others at our tables, we do so as if we are serving Jesus himself.

In extending hospitality, we embody the love, grace, and radical welcome of Christ. It is not optional or occasional—it is a core part of our discipleship. Through hospitality, we bear witness to a God who receives all with open arms and calls us to do the same. Join us on this journey with our sermon series, You Welcomed Me, will explore this need to welcome, care for, walk with, include, and show kindness.

From Dr Kristopher Phan Coffman at EntertheBible.org:

This letter is one of the most hope-filled books in the New Testament. Its purpose is to encourage Christian converts living in the midst of a hostile society. It does this by emphasizing their new life and salvation in the risen Christ (who is their “living hope”), showing how they became heirs of the people of God described in the Old Testament, and helping them understand what it means to live faithfully among people who ridicule and harass them. Throughout this letter, Jesus Christ’s life, and especially his suffering, is used as an example of how they are to understand and bear their sufferings as they seek to do God’s will.

LOOK AT THE BOOK

How is it with your spirit this week?
Where have you encountered a stranger this past week? What was it like?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to 1 Peter 1:1. To whom is Peter writing? Pull out your Bible map.
What do we know about “Peter” in the Bible?
Jump to 1 Peter 4:1. In the previous chapters, Peter has been connecting Noah and baptism. Why might those two things be connected?
Lutherans have two sacraments. What are they?
What was a baptism you observed that meant a lot to you? Can any Christian baptize someone? Why or why not?
Jump to 1 Peter 4:1. What are supposed to arm ourselves? What is the reason for that in verse 1?
Who do you see suffering in the world that feels unjust to you? Why?
1 Peter 4:7 gives the reason why Peter is urgent in his concerns. Why is that?
What does Peter suggest we do in 1 Peter 4:8?
What is a Christian’s call in verses 9-10?
In what ways does Easter already live this out? In what ways can our global companions—in Tanzania and Guatemala—teach us more?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Learn about a hospitality practice in Tanzania or Guatemala—especially from someone who have been there! Pray about going yourself!

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | August 24, 2025