Welcoming the "Stranger"
Watch this teaching here. Listen to this teaching here.
In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound concept of welcoming strangers, rooted in Leviticus 19:34. This scripture challenges us to treat strangers as natives and love them as ourselves, reminding us of our own history as strangers. The sermon beautifully connects this ancient text to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that holiness is not just an idea, but an active engagement with the world. We're called to embody God's holy character in all spheres of life, creating ripples of change from the inside out. The message encourages us to start by welcoming the stranger within ourselves, those parts we've yet to fully accept or understand. By doing so, we open ourselves to truly welcoming others, expanding our circles of connection and love. This practice of 'revolutionary love' has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities and even nations. As we face the chaos of our world, we're reminded that by holding the center together, rooted in God's love, we can create lasting change and pursue God's shalom.
Things to Think About…
How has your own experience of being a 'stranger' shaped your ability to empathize with and welcome others? In what ways can remembering our own outsider experiences help us create more inclusive communities?
The sermon mentions the concept of 'holy ripples' originating from the center of our lives. How might focusing on our relationship with God at our core transform our interactions with others, from close relationships to strangers?
What does it mean to you to 'hold the center' in times of chaos and division? How can we as individuals and as a community maintain our spiritual center while engaging with the challenges of the world?
The sermon draws parallels between Leviticus 19 and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. How do you see these ancient teachings applying to our modern context, particularly in relation to welcoming strangers and pursuing holiness?
Reflecting on the statistic that nearly half of adults experience loneliness, how might our faith communities better address this 'epidemic of disconnection'? What practical steps can we take to foster genuine belonging?
The speaker shares a personal journey from feeling like a perpetual outsider to finding belonging. How have you experienced transformation in your own sense of belonging, either within yourself or in community?
How does the concept of seeing strangers as 'parts of ourselves we do not yet know' challenge or expand your perspective on encountering difference? How might this mindset impact our approach to diversity and inclusion?
The sermon suggests that welcoming strangers begins with welcoming all parts of ourselves. What parts of yourself do you find difficult to accept, and how might embracing them affect your capacity to welcome others?
Considering the 'ripple effect' of love described (from self to close relationships to neighbors to enemies to strangers), where do you feel most challenged in this progression? How might growth in one area affect the others?
The sermon concludes with a call to 'hold the center together' in times of chaos. What does this look like in practice for you personally and for our faith community collectively?