Share A Meal, Change The World | Saturday – Week 4
Listen instead of reading
Take a Moment
Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today
Read The Daily
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19)
What if we all took this Epic Life seriously and made a commitment to set aside just one meal each week to intentionally eat with those outside of our immediate family? It could honestly be world changing.
By setting aside just one meal each week, we have the opportunity to bless others by eating with them. Through the simple act of hospitality, we can impact lives and help others find their way closer to God without turning it into some weird religious thing or Bible study. I recently met with an individual that was really struggling. Just as we sat and shared a meal together and he unloaded his problems, I could see a change in his demeanor. The power of hospitality created a safe space for him to open up, and feel like someone heard him that day.
We were also never meant to pursue the Epic Life alone. In the context of a small group, we can extend the habit of eating with others beyond our immediate circles. Instead of focusing solely on Bible study, imagine the impact of simply gathering, enjoying good food, and celebrating life together. Our small groups can even become bright spots where we meet, inviting neighbors, coworkers, and friends to experience the joy of genuine community.
A friend of mine is one the best that I know when it comes to inviting others to just hangout and/or share a meal. The most interesting part…he’s a true introvert that honestly doesn’t naturally like people or want groups around him. He’s great because he thinks through how comfortable everyone else feels…and it shows. For example, he told me that he’s learned that even praying before a meal with his neighbors is uncomfortable early on. They felt like it’s some weird bait and switch to invite them over to convert them. He now just does a group toasts to thank everyone for joining him.
In their book Right Here, Right Now, Alan Hirsch and Lance Ford write about what it looks like to live like Jesus every day. They say that sharing meals together is “one of the most sacred practices we can engage in as followers of Jesus.” They even go as far to say that if every Christian family regularly invited a stranger or a poor person into their home for a meal once a week, we would “literally change the world by eating!” Maybe it’s just my love of food, but that’s something I can get behind!
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Luke 24:13-35 & 2 Timothy 3:10-17