This week we are talking about Chapter 3 of the book Practicing Hospitality as part of a book study with Passionate Homemaking. You can read Lindsay’s post about this chapter here.
This chapter focused on hospitality and family. This was a very practical chapter (Although really the entire book is very practical). The chapter first discussed the reason why we need to make our family a priority when practicing hospitality. Below are three reasons the authors shared explaining why we should consider family first when practicing hospitality (Pg. 74):
1. For the sake of our integrity.
2. For the sake of our children.
3. For the sake of the gospel.
After explaining why our family should be a priority, the authors went on to give many ideas for implementing hospitality in and with a family and also sharing how traditions help us to accomplish the previous task. This section was the practical part for me. These ideas were great! Many of them I thought would do very well implemented in my family. Here are some of my favorite ideas and principles the authors shared in this chapter:
Partner with your husband (Pg. 78)
Throw Birthday parties with purpose. Have your party guests bring toys, food, or clothing to be donated to a local charity instead of presents for your children. Have your child help you deliver them to the organization of your choice. Maximize this “teachable moment.” (Pg. 88)
Before friends and family leave, ask them how you can pray for them throughout the week. (Pg. 91)
My favorite quote from this chapter was (Pg. 73):
“While the ministry of hospitality often focuses on those outside our home, it should begin within our home. If this occurs, generosity and kindness extended to others become an extension of our family hospitality.”
Here are some discussion questions that Lindsay gives us:
1. How can you begin to practice hospitality towards your family?
2. What are your favorite spiritual, kindred or holiday traditions?
I think that the best way to begin practicing hospitality towards your family is to treat them as guests (The authors mention this). When you begin to treat your family, the people whom you are in nearly constant contact with, this way treating others the same just comes naturally.
A tradition that I have done since Michael and I have been married is cooking him a gourmet meal each year for his birthday. I feel like this is a way that I can show him how much I value him. He usually enjoys this a lot!!!
At the end of this 8 week book study I will be giving away a copy of this book, courtesy of Crossway Books! Each time you comment on a post about this book you will be entered to win! The winner will be announced on April 6th.
This week we are talking about Chapter 3 of the book Practicing Hospitality as part of a book study with Passionate Homemaking. You can read Lindsay’s post about this chapter here.
This sounds like a really neat book! I like the way it talks about hospitality beginning in your home and being shown towards your own family first- then that will extend towards others who are outside of your home. It seems like a lot of people think so backwardly about this, even Christians, they act like ministry is something that is only done outside of the home and to people who aren’t a part of your family. They don’t see my being home and ministering to my husband and baby son as any sort of important thing, and surely not ministry! Or some people think- ok, well its fine if you want to stay home, but you really need to be involved in some sort of ministry too. They don’t recognize the value of ministering the the family that God gave you.
Sounds like an excellent, Biblical book! I’m enjoying hearing your thoughts about it. I also read Lindsay’s blog too.
Amy in Dublin
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this chapter. I have enjoyed following this discussion over at Lindsay’s blog. I especially liked the idea you shared about askiing family and friends how you can pray for them during the week. I plan on implimenting this right away. I don’t have the book, so I would love to be entered in your drawing.