Sarah and Abraham offer hospitality through the ritual of a meal. Make a list for future reference. When you look at people from the point of view of the biblical witness, you might be surprised at who you actually see. Most Americans understand their lives to be essentially private journeys, perhaps with a couple of friends, on the road, hoping to find their way home. Most believe they have not reached home yet and have found that their various wizards, whether technological or human, are more fake than real solutions.
Many people today feel as if they are wandering in a wilderness.
Invite participants to respond to this paragraph. Many growing churches are discovering the value of relational small groups as one effective way to invite and engage people both within and outside the church. Small groups are an effective strategy for offering shelter and support for contemporary nomads wandering through today's wilderness. Imagine you are a small group planning team. Make a list of possible steps to share with the larger group.