Today’s Lesson
Prayer Point - Ask God for grace to be hospitable always.
Previous Knowledge - Teacher reminds the students of the points raised in the last Sunday school lesson outlines. Assistant teacher marks the workbook.
A. BIBLE PASSAGE -2 Kings4:8-18
B. Memory Verse - "Use hospitality one to another without grudging, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4: 9-10
C. Lesson Introduction - Hospitality is the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guest, visitors, or strangers. To be hospitable is to offer a home away from home to meet needs and offer rest to those in need. Paul urged the Corinthian brethren to shelter and support Epaphroditus, one of the brothers in Christ, during his visit to the church in Corinth. Phil 2:28-30. May the Lord help us to make our home/church a happy welcome to guest and visitors in Jesus' name.
TEACHER’S DIARY
A. Lesson Aim - To study the reasons for and the results of being hospitable.
B. Teaching Objectives and Lesson Plan
i. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to understand why they should be hospitable.
ii. They should also be able to follow the example of those who were hospitable to Christ.
iii. Furthermore, they should be able to discover the benefits or results of being hospitable.
i. To achieve these objectives, teacher explains why students should be hospitable.
ii. Teacher gives biblical examples of those who were hospitable to Christ.
iii. Teacher illustrates instances of hospitality using biblical examples.
iv. Teacher concludes by encouraging students to give themselves to hospitality.
C. Text Review - 2nd Kings 4:8-17
Few things are to be noted in this passage.
i. Hospitality to God's people should be considered as duty by every Christian. Not only the great alone but also the small. 2 Kings 4:8 ii. Hospitality can take form of food (bread) or lodging accommodation with facilities. 2 Kings 4: 1 0
iii. Making men of God comfortable through agreement between husband and wife can solve age-long problem. 2nd Kings 4:9-10, 15-16
iv. The cost of hospitality cannot be compared with the benefit therein.
For instance, the cost of providing bread and accommodation once in a while is lesser than the benefit of receiving a male child tone’s old age. 2nd Kings 4:17.
D. Teaching Method - Teacher should use lecture teaching method.
E. Time Management - 15 minutes for Opening, 30 minutes for Lesson Outline, Summary, Conclusion and Assignment, 15 minutes for General Review.
2. Lesson Outlines
i. LESSON OUTLINE 1 - WHY YOU SHOULD BE HOSPITABLE
i. God commands it- Deuteronomy 10:19; Rom. 12:13; 15:25-27.
ii. It is a key to receiving miracles. Genesis 18:2-14.
iii. You can entertain angels unknowingly. Heb. 13:2
iv. You can win sinners to Christ through hospitality. Luke 7:36-39; I Cor. 10:31; 2 Corinthians 9:1
Class Activity 1- Why do you think some people are adamant in not showing hospitality to the people of God? Are there any dangers attached to their attitude?
ii. LESSON OUTLINE 2 - CHRIST WAS ENTERTAINED IN VARIOUS HOMES; e.g.
- The household of Matthew entertained Jesus Christ. Matt 9: 10.
- The household of Simon the leper entertained Jesus. Mark 14:3.
- He was entertained by Martha and Mary household. Luke 10:38
- A particular Pharisee entertained Him by requesting Him to eat with him. Luke 7:36
- The household of Zachaeus showed hospitality to Him. Luke 19:5-7
iii. LESSON OUTLINE 3 - EXAMPLES OF HOSPITALITY AND RESULTS
The following are some instances of hospitality in the Bible.
i. Abraham's house - Genesis 18:4
il. Lot's house - Genesis 19:2
Iii. Laban's house - Genesis 24:31
iv. Shunamite woman - 2nd Kings 4:8-18
v. Dorcas -Acts 9:36-39
vi. Lydia -Acts 16:15
vii. Keeper of prison -Acts 16:34
viii. Phebe - Romans 16:1-2
ix. Churches of Macedonia - 2 Cor. 8: 1-4
Class Activity 2- What are the benefits of hospitality?
Summary: Hospitality is an opportunity to use small resource to attract a great benefit. Believers must seize the opportunity whenever it comes or even look for it by all cost.
Conclusion: Hospitality can open doors to our needs and miracles. God wants us to be generous and be a true giver. He is always doing something in return for our gracious hospitality. When we encounter brethren and men of God who can benefit from our support, we should not hesitate to offer hospitality to them. We should not give the excuse of being tired or not having enough to entertain.
Assignment: See assignment in the workbook.
