Week: Hospitality - Mary and Martha
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
God of hospitality, thank You for inviting us into Your family. As we sit at Your table and taste Your words to us, may they give us all the strength we need.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 (NIVUK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re continuing to REFLECT on Jesus’ visit with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary had just poured some incredibly expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, and Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, wasn’t happy about it at all!
Read by Eli
John 12:5,7
[Judas said] ‘This perfume was worth an entire year’s wages. Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?’ Jesus answered, ‘Leave her alone. It was right for her to save this perfume for today, the day for me to be prepared for burial.’
John 12:5,7 (NCV)
Hospitality sometimes offends and upsets people. For example, when we’re generous to people who others think don’t deserve it, or when we welcome those who others don’t like.
Sometimes being hospitable is risky, because our popularity and reputation might suffer. But hospitality is Jesus’ love in action – it’s the way that He wants us to live.
This week’s memory verse has been, ‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.’ Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: And let’s be honest about this… what things do we grumble about?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others…
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us to offer hospitality – to be generous and friendly to people – without grumbling. And help us not to be afraid of what others will think, say or do.
Today’s Bible reading mentioned those who are poor. Millions of people around the world are desperately poor, in countries all over the world, including where we live. Food and fuel prices are high and many people are really struggling to pay their bills.
Father God, we ASK You to look after those who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. We ASK You to help them get what they need, and the support they need too.
Is there something God is asking us to do to show hospitality and generosity to people in need in our community or in another part of the world?”
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
John 12:5,7
[Judas said] ‘This perfume was worth an entire year’s wages. Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?’ Jesus answered, ‘Leave her alone. It was right for her to save this perfume for today, the day for me to be prepared for burial.’
John 12:5,7 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You said that whenever we offer hospitality to anyone, whenever we give anyone clothes or food or a warm welcome, we do this to You too. (Matthew 25:35-40) And so we say YES, Jesus, we’ll offer hospitality wherever and whenever we can.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:9 (NIVUK)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Eli lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
