Helpful context:

Tax collectors were DOUBLE OUTCASTS.

When Levi walks away, he CAN’T COME BACK.

In Jewish culture, a meal was a SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

With Jesus:

Sinful folk felt WELCOMED, and

Religious folks felt THREATENED.


Levi knew: Change happens when PEOPLE meet JESUS.

So he used HOSPITALITY to introduce his PEOPLE to JESUS.

History lesson:

The culture used to expect CHURCH ATTENDANCE.

Today, culture is both SPIRITUAL and SKEPTICAL.

“I like Jesus, I don’t like church…”

The big question: How do you see church?

COUNTRY CLUB
EMERGENCY ROOM

Jesus tells us how He sees it:

If we really follow Jesus, church will look different:

Sinful folk will feel WELCOMED.

Religious folks will feel THREATENED.

2 questions for Easter:

1. Who will you invite?
2. How will you share “Holy Hospitality”?

LifeGroup Questions:

OPEN
1 – What are some of your favorite Easter memories? Is there one Easter than stands out in your story? Share what happened and why it was impactful to you with the group.


DISCUSS
1 – When you think about your spiritual journey, who played an important role in helping you meet Jesus? Share some of the key folks and what they did to help introduce you to Jesus.
2 – Have someone read Mark 2:14-17 aloud for the group.
3 – When Levi meets Jesus, it’s obviously impactful in his life. What he does after leaving the tax collector booth is also impactful. In your own words, describe the pieces of Levi’s story of finding Jesus and then sharing Jesus with his friends. What impact do you think Levi’s hospitality had on those at the dinner?
4 – Why is Levi’s story so important to the story of Jesus? Why do you think the Gospel writers would include this encounter in their narrative?


APPLY
1 – How can we as a group practice hospitality (without grumbling)? Brainstorm some ways, both as individuals and as a group together.
2 – Share their name of someone you are praying for to invite to Easter and pray for all of the folks you are working to invite.