Sermon Study Guide | Series: The Art of Showing Up | Sermon: Making Room at the Table |
Scripture: Luke 14:12-25 | Date: September 7, 2025

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

We all know what it feels like to be included—or left out. Think about a time when someone went out of their way to invite you in, whether to a meal, a group, or an experience. How did that invitation make you feel? How might God want to use you to extend that same kind of welcome to others? Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read Luke 14:12–25 together and discuss:

• What surprised you most about Jesus’ teaching on who to invite to the banquet?
  
  
• Why do you think hospitality became so tied to social status in Jesus’ time—and how does that compare to today’s “networking culture”?
  
  
• Jesus calls out the excuses people give for missing the banquet. What modern “excuses” keep us from saying yes to God’s invitation or extending His invitation to others?
  
  
• In the parable, the master insists that his house be filled. What does this reveal about God’s heart for people?
  
  
• Consider the phrase “Hospitality is the new evangelism.” How does that reshape your understanding of what it means to share your faith?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Who is one person outside of your normal circle you can invite for a meal, coffee, or to Alpha this week? 
  
  • Write their name down and commit to one of these endeavors.
    
    
• How can you practice “genuine hospitality”—inviting those who cannot repay you—in your everyday life (workplace, school, neighborhood, church)?
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• What “excuses” in your own life do you need to set aside to say yes to God’s invitation?
  
  • Write the excuses down and then draw a line through them.
    
    
• If evangelism feels intimidating, what’s one simple step you can take to share God’s love through hospitality this month?

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the invitation to your table when we had nothing to bring. Forgive us for the times we’ve let excuses or comfort keep us from welcoming others. Fill our hearts with your love so that we might extend true hospitality to strangers, neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Make our tables a reflection of your Kingdom, where every seat is filled with grace. Help us to be faithful servants who carry your invitation so that your house may be full. Amen.

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