The Etiquette of Hosting (or The Proper Way To Serve)

Recently, my husband and I have been attending a house church in the small town in which we are residing at present. We have been to five meetings thus far, and we amazed at the care and attention taken by the hosts for each of their guests. That made me think about us as Christians, and how 'hosting' is something we are required to do.

 

I checked out several websites on 'the etiquette of hosting' and found them to be very similar, even if the events varied. The essential theme: take care of the guests.

I have made a list of what makes a good host/hostess taken from the websites, and found the applicable scripture. After all, Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served. (Mark 10:45)

 

What is a host/hostess?

One who takes guests into their home and makes them feel welcome by serving them. (1Cor. 3:16 Do you not know that you are the Temple of God, and that The Spirit of God dwells within you?)

 

When we invite Jesus into our hearts, there are a few things we must keep in mind when royalty sets up housekeeping in our residence. (Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and I shall knock. If a man listens to my voice and will open the door, I also shall come in and I shall have supper with him, and he with me.)

 

Guidelines for being a good host/hostess:
 

Make sure your house is neat and clean.
(Ps. 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, oh, God, and renew your right Spirit within me.)
 

Find out what kind of food your guests like.
(Acts 14:17While he did not leave himself without a testimony, as he was giving them precious things from the Heavens and sending rain down to them, multiplying their fruits in their times and was satisfying their hearts with food and gladness.)
 

For long-staying guests, give them information to see the sights.
(Gal. 6:10 Now therefore, while we have time, let us do good to every person, especially to the members of the household of faith.)
 

Set aside a space for guests, preferably their own bedroom or private area.
(Eph. 2:19 Therefore, you are not strangers, neither guests, but inhabitants of the city of The Holy One and children of the household of God.)

 

Requirements for the job:
 

Explain the menu/answer questions about food preparation.
(Rom. 10:15 Or how will they preach, unless they will be sent, as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of The Messengers of peace and of The Messengers of good things!)
 

Available jobs are usually advertised with a 'help wanted' sign or classified ad.
(3 John 1:8 Therefore we are indebted to receive such as these, that we may be helpers for the truth.)
 

A good memory, organizational skills, well spoken, and polite when dealing with the public.
(Eph. 4:15-16 But we have been firm in our love that all our affairs may increase in The Messiah, who is The Head, And from him, the whole body constructed and joined in every joint, according to a gift given in measure to every member for his growth of the body, that his building may be completed in love.)
 

On-the-job training includes customer service skills, food safety and handling, and issues such as allergens.
(Heb. 4:16 Let us come therefore publicly to the throne of his grace to receive mercy, and we shall find grace to help in a time of suffering.)

 

So, let all of us work on our hosting skills through prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, and helping our fellowman.

(all scripture from the Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)