November 6, 2025
The Crux of Evangelism
It comes down to this: Do you care? Do you value lost people? Do you have the same compassion for them that Christ had for you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)?
Articles for tag: Hospitality
October 30, 2025
Lesson for the Holidays
In the exuberance of merriment that characterizes the holiday season, there is always danger, more or less, of being swept into excesses.
November 30, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Characteristics of Thomas Campbell’ (1909)
Alexander Campbell provided this description of his father, Thomas Campbell, in a volume called "Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell," published in 1861. Almost 50 years later, Christian Standard extracted and published this short portion . . .
July 26, 2023
Riggins Named President of The Solomon Foundation (Plus News Briefs)
Ryan Riggins has joined The Solomon Foundation as president. He will work closely with CEO Doug Crozier to ensure the vision of the fast-growing church extension fund is translated into day-to-day operations. . . . Plus news briefs from Kentucky Christian University, Williamstown (Ky.) Christian Church, and more.
November 8, 2022
10 Ways to Minister to Your Church’s College Students
A student who leaves for college too often leaves the church for good, but students who receive special attention from their home church will realize they are valuable to the body of Christ. Consider some of the following strategies to help your church go the extra mile with your college students, whether they attend a Christian or secular college.
March 28, 2022
April 3 | Application
These days, care is rare. How often do you encounter genuine, unselfish concern for others?
September 6, 2021
Sept. 12 | Application
Referring to the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). His church puts out a welcome mat inviting sinners like ourselves from every ethnic group to come and join the family.
Help for a Fledgling Preacher
Twenty years or so after stepping down as editor of Christian Standard, Edwin Hayden penned this reminiscence of four gentlemen who had helped and encouraged him during his career: W.H. Book, P.H. Welshimer, Toyoza W. Nakarai, and W.R. Walker.
March 1, 2021
Truth + Love: The Balancing Act
My wife, Beth, and I had just met a young couple as we were leaving church. After visiting with these strangers for a few minutes, we invited them to go eat lunch with our family. We found ourselves laughing and devouring sandwiches and getting to know them. And that’s when it got awkward. After asking Matt what part of town he lived in, I innocently proceeded to ask the same question of Stacie. In between bites, in matter-of-fact fashion, she replied that they lived together. Two voices in my subconscious immediately began whispering to me. One unwavering, firm voice said,
November 9, 2020
Discovery Questions for November 15, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 15, 2020: Teach What Is Appropriate (Titus 2:1-15) “How Do We Treat Those Student Drivers?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face over the past week? 2. In what ways were you hospitable to someone last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 2 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage in 60 seconds or less. 3. What would you add to what our
November 1, 2020
Discovery Questions for November 8, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 8, 2020: Appoint Godly Leaders (Titus 1:5-11) “Blame the Leaders?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. In what specific ways did the Lord give you strength this past week so that through you his message could be proclaimed? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 1:5-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize what this passage is about. 3. If you were
June 22, 2020
Discovery Questions for June 28, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for June 28, 2020: “Perfect Love in Truth” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What are you thankful for today? 2. What examples do you have of living as Jesus did this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask two people to read 3 John 3-8 one after the other (preferably from different versions). Repeat this process for 1 John 2:20–3:1. Ask the third person to summarize what both passages are saying as a whole as if
November 15, 2019
Start Some New Traditions This Holiday Season!
By Michael C. Mack I love our family traditions during the holiday season: taking a drive to see the lights, decorating the house together, going to local events, and, of course, attending church services together. Over the years, our family has worked to make our traditions much more fun, fulfilling, and mission-focused through the power of invitation. One Thanksgiving almost 25 years ago, Heidi and I got to know a young man named Mark who lived at a homeless shelter. I invited him to some of our family and church events during the holidays, and he enjoyed getting out of
January 29, 2019
Becoming Postmodern Wells
Demonstrating the Wild, Open-Hearted Love of God in Las Vegas By Mel McGowan I have been studying a story from the Bible that speaks directly to my heart—the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She was getting water, doing chores, going about her day. Then Jesus came to her in the midst of her daily activities. It offers a powerful picture of how the people of God should function as the church—loving people right where they are. We must be the well, inviting people who are going about their daily lives, from all different backgrounds, to come
December 16, 2018
‘The Gospel Comes with a House Key’
What the Holy Family Teaches Us about Hospitality By Matt Proctor My wife, Katie, has the gift of hospitality. With six kids, our house isn’t always clean, but it’s always open. Katie’s smile, fun red chairs, and paper plates have welcomed hundreds of people. Me? I’m not so good at it. I’m a professional extrovert but a personal introvert. I interact happily with lots of people in my work, but at the end of the day, I want to pull in my driveway, pull up the drawbridge, and enjoy some alone time. Also: I’m not always good at welcoming
November 30, 2018
Give Your Church an International Flair this Christmas
By Emily Drayne Have you ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated in other countries? Do they bake cookies and set them out for Santa? Do they hang stockings from mantles and have Christmas trees full of ornaments and lights? Many Americans could benefit from learning the traditions of other countries. Incorporating an international flair into your end-of-year services is easy. Here are five ways to expose your church family to missions during “the most wonderful time of the year.” 1. Host an “International Christmas Week” at your church. December is not a normal time for a missions emphasis, but
July 21, 2018
RISE
How You Can Engage Refugee and International Students in Your Community By Emily Drayne Did you know there are more than 1 million foreign students on the campuses of American colleges? These students come from more than 200 countries around the world. The five countries that send the most students to the United States are China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Many times, these international guests don’t even see the inside of an American home during their time here. It’s estimated about half the world’s future leaders will study on American campuses. Did you also know that
February 11, 2018
Dennis & Linda Messimer: Five Decades of Ministering Around the World Together
By TR Robertson A lifetime of ministry together has given Dennis and Linda Messimer a rhythm of talking—they often finish each other’s sentences—and a rhythm of serving God together. “Dennis would teach Bible studies and I would teach the kids,” Linda says, describing the arrangement they’ve followed hundreds of times, on three continents. “. . . But once kids came along,” Dennis adds, “Linda wasn’t as involved in the ministry work as she had been earlier.” Since the kids have grown, Linda says, “I’ve done Bible studies with women and he did Bible studies with men. We support each other
March 27, 2017
Lesson for April 2, 2017: Shepherding Love (Psalm 23)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the March 26, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott David”s music comforted King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), but the lyrics of the shepherd”s 23rd psalm comfort us all. Who hasn”t been moved by the words of this most famous passage? It has been read at more funeral services than any other psalm. It underlines God”s comfort, provision, discipline, guidance, joy, reception, and affirmation. This
February 22, 2017
The Simplest Way to Change the World
By Jim Tune Twelve people sat in silence. They had traveled from Minnesota to Orlando for a weeklong course on evangelism with Steve Childers, one of the country”™s top church-planting strategists. “You know what the key to evangelism in the 21st century will be, don”™t you?” Childers asked them. He had them captivated. He waited an uncomfortably long time. Finally he answered: “Hospitality.” David Mathis, who records this story, writes: In a progressively post-Christian society, the importance of hospitality as an evangelistic asset is growing rapidly. Increasingly, the most strategic turf on which to engage the unbelieving with the
