bible reading plan

The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life
by Dustin Willis & Brandon Clements

April 16 - Small Things
Read:
  • Romans 12:1-10
  • Chapters 1-2, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • How do you view your home? Are you more prone to view it as a place of retreat of as a weapon of the gospel? Why?
  • Why do most of us assume that ordinary steps of obedience are insignificant? What biblical evidence do we have that this is not true?
  • What assumptions about hospitality do you bring with you as you began this series?

April 23 - Hospitable God, Hospitable People
Read:
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
  • Chapters 3-4, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • Is "hospitable" a virtue you typically use to speak about God? What is the work of Jesus a demonstration of God's hospitality
  • When Christians practice hospitality they are modeling the heart of God. How does this serve as the primary motivation for hospitality?
  • How has your relationship with God been influenced by the care and hospitality of others? What impacted you most about the love of others?

April 30 - Hospitable God, Hospitable People
Read:
  • Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37
  • Chapters 5-6, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • What evidence do you see that your friends are longing for relationships with others? How does this longing present and incredible opportunity for you to practice biblical hospitality?
  • Why is it easier to disagree with others from a distance or behind a keyboard than it is to love our actual neighbors? How might genuine, Christlike love provide a context in which you might have more meaningful conversations?
  • In what ways is God calling you to ask, "What if?" How is God drawing your heart to invest in particular people or places?

May 7 (Mother's Day) - Who's My Neighbor?
Read:
  • Ephesians 2
  • Chapters 7-8, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • What excuses do you make in order to avoid practicing biblical hospitality? What truths do you need to remember in order to counter these objections?
  • Who can you team up with in order to begin practicing a lifestyle of hospitality? If you are married, this is the place to begin, but what other neighbors or church families could you partner with as well? How could you make this practice easier?
  • Did you implement any new practical steps from the past three weeks?

May 14 - Where is Jesus
Read:
  • 1 John 4:7-21
  • Chapters 9-10, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • Which of the of the weekly, monthly, or yearly rhythms presented in chapter 9 is most appealing to you? Which ones do you think would work best in the places where you live, work, and play?
  • What normal events could you turn into a means of practicing hospitality? Which even is the next one on the calendar--maybe it's a kids birthday or a holiday? 
  • What can you do to infuse this event with purpose and mission?

May 21 - Finally Home
Read:
  • Revelation 21
  • Chapters 11-12, The Simplest Way to Change the World

Questions:
  • Which types of people mentioned in Chapter 11 are currently in your life? How can you take an active step to show them biblical hospitality?
  • What feelings do these big steps of biblical hospitality to mind? Do you find yourself overwhelmed with the thought of having someone in your home long-term or even adopting a child? What are your objections? What truths do you need to remember in order to counter these objections?