The Gospel Comes with a House Key
The Gospel Comes with a House Key (1|5)
The Seal of Hospitality
• May 2014, Durham, North Carolina
Pages 89-93
TOGETHER read the book (END READING AT: It was more awful to br my robber than me.) and discuss the content below.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out (try to keep it brief).
Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
John 10:10 (NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Isaiah 33:1-2 (NIV) Woe to you, destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, betrayer, you who have not been betrayed! When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed. LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
It was hard to be robbed. It was hard to have God test so powerfully and privately what we proclaimed publically - that even if you are hurt, people can’t take things that matter most and that will survive to the new heavens and new earth - your soul, his Word, and your someday glorified body.
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
When walking through her robbed and ransacked house, as Rosaria Butterfield said: All I could think was: This is the hand of God. Lean into it.
What is your response to that statement?
Have a house filled with God’s people who can help neighbors see the hand of God in the everyday details of life.
What is your response to that statement?
If you were to be robbed (or victimized in some way) what your first or natural response be? - Remember what is says in Deuteronomy 32:35 (NIV) It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. ” (let’s be honest, if it was us who were robbed we would want the “due time” to be sooner than later 😉)
EXTRA READING:
“No person has a right to lead such a life of contemplation as to forget in his own ease the service due his neighbor, nor has any man a right to be so immersed in active life as to neglect the contemplation of God.”
- Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430)