Hospitality

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25

Learning Objectives: 

  • Students will learn God expects us to be kind and hospitable to others.
  • Students will learn wisdom can often keep us from harm.
  • Students will learn about the importance of hospitality.

Guiding Question: How can students show hospitality to others?

Materials: Any supplies wanted for entertaining

Procedure: Teach the story of David and Abigail. Explain that Nabal did not practice standard hospitality when David sent his men to him for help. David has even told them to remind Nabal that they had been good to Nabal’s servants. He even pointed out they could have just taken what they wanted from Nabal’s servants when they were near them, but were asking for help instead. Hospitality in that era focused on helping travelers and people in need. Anyone lacking their normal means of support and safety would normally have been helped. Normal hospitality customs would have expected Nabal to offer David and his men food, lodging and even protection. The people in that time also left a corner of their fields for the people who needed hospitality to gather for their needs. They also were known to clothe those who needed it. Example: Abraham entertaining the three strangers (Gen. 18). The Bible says Nabal was surly and mean. 

Teach students these customs and talk about what that type of hospitality might look like today. Have students plan and execute practicing hospitality to a group of people in your church (perhaps with younger students) They can have part of the time together include eating foods from Bible times and talking about hospitality in the Bible. 

Additional Questions: How can students practice hospitality every Sunday?

Supplemental Activity: Have the students work together to create a youth hospitality team in your congregation. The students can plan for ways to show hospitality to members and visitors each Sunday.

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