Text Study for Sunday, July 20, 2025

Series Theme: You Welcomed Me

Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Tell about a club or group that you take part in that has rules. Give an example of a rule. For example, to be part, you must pay a monthly fee.

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 Mark Throntveit at EntertheBible.org:

First Kings is a story of kings and prophets told for a purpose. Rather than chronicling the royal events as they happened, 1 Kings uses the history of the kings of Judah and Israel as a tool of education, warning, and comfort. The authors of 1 Kings attempt to explain the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE to those experiencing exile in Babylon. With these stories, the authors encourage a new national self-understanding. There are stories of the failure of Israel’s kings and other power players. With their failure came deserved divine judgment, according to 1 Kings. But the tale also offers a story of God’s unrelenting, loving commitment to God’s people.

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?
Open to 1 Kings 17:8. To whom did the word of the Lord come to?
What do we know about Elijah?
Find a bible map to see if you can locate Zarephath. Or google it!
Whom does Elijah meet in verse 10? What do we know about her?
Elijah has been travelling and there is a code for hospitality in the ancient near east. What are the two things he asks for?
What does she report? What does she say at the end of verse 12? What does this mean?
1 Kings 17:13 is key. What does Elijah say? Where else have you heard this command?
Verse 14 begins by identifying who made the promise. Who is it?
What is the widow’s response?
How is God faithful?
What are other stories in the Bible about worrying about having enough and God providing? Why is that a recurring theme?
What does scarcity look like in your life?
What does generosity look like in your life?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

How can you be generous with some part of your life this week?

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 | July 20, 2025