Meeting the Neighbors
For many of us, church has always been a weekly meeting or two at building where we listen to someone give us a sermon that we call church. Nothing wrong with that, but it may not be the most effective way to reach the people around us. A recent national study found that when asked if your best friend invited you to church would you go? 64% said “no”. Of the 64% no’s when asked if that same best friend invited you to their home to talk about Jesus, 73% of those no’s said “yes”.
The Bible has several mentions of how average people used their homes as a place to worship. This is typically called house church or the church that meets at so and so’s house. Jesus met with people in their homes where he taught, fellowshipped, and performed many miracles. If we are going to reach our neighbors, friends and family with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we may want to consider inviting them to our own homes to talk about Jesus.
Matthew 8:14-15 “When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.” Luke 19:5-6 “And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully.”
Luke 5:27-29 “After that He went out and looked at a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and got up and began following Him. And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.”
Luke 10:38-39 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word.”
Luke 10:5-7 “And whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide; for the laborer is deserving of his wages. Do not move from house to house.”