Text Study for Sunday, August 31, 2025

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

Reading: Romans 12:9-18

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What’s on your to do list today? Why?

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 Mary Hunkle Shore at EntertheBible.org:

With the exception of the four Gospels, Romans is unsurpassed among the books of the New Testament for its impact on later church history. It had a place in Augustine’s conversion from Manichaeism to Christianity; in the rediscovery of grace, justification, and faith by Martin Luther, sparking the Reformation; and in the beginnings of the Methodist movement when John Wesley read Luther’s Preface to Romans. In 1919 Karl Barth produced his commentary on Romans, a work that was to change theology radically in the 20th century.

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 Romans 12:1. Where is this letter from Paul being written to? What do you know about this city?
In Romans 12:1, what is Paul asking the people to do? Why?
Jump to Romans 12:9. What is the title in your Bible of this section? What do you think should be the “marks of a Christian?”
In verses 9-12, what encouragement do you most resonate with? Which of these is most lacking in our community today? Why?
Why is verse 13 troubling for Christians?
What makes hospitality inconvenient and what makes hospitality healing?
In verses 14-18, circle the verbs. Is there any theme or connection between them? Why or why not?
Why is verse 15 so powerful? Why doesn’t our society like to talk about death?
Jesus is good news. How is Paul trying to share that in his instructions here in Romans 12?
What issue might the Roman church be wrestling with given these instructions? What issues might Easter be wrestling with that these instructions are still relevant?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Who inspires you right now? Who might need a phone call or text from you this week to inspire them? Pass it along!

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 31, 2025