Hospitality begins by clearing space — not in our homes, but in our hearts. Before we can make room for others, Jesus invites us to slow down, sit at His feet, and make room for Him. When we do, peace replaces pressure and presence takes the place of hurry.

Purpose: To prepare hearts for Make Room: 40 Days of Hospitality by reflecting on what needs clearing, not adding. This week sets the posture — it’s about preparing space for God to move before the official start next week.

Key Scripture: Luke 10:38–42, Romans 12:2, Psalm 46:10

Group Focus: Before we make room for others, we must first make room for God. Hospitality begins with stillness — clearing space in a crowded life to notice His presence.

Leader Devotion & Reflection: Hospitality begins inward — it’s about clearing space in us before offering space to others. Jesus didn’t scold Martha for serving; He invited her to pause. What He wanted wasn’t perfection, but presence.

Reflect:

• Where has my soul become too full to hear from God?
• What could I intentionally clear or slow down this week to make room for Him?

Leader Prayer: “Lord, help me slow my pace enough to sit at Your feet. Clear the clutter that keeps me distracted. As I lead, may I first learn to host Your presence — to make room for You, so that others will sense Your peace through me.”

Icebreaker — “Clutter Check”

What’s one space in your home or life that tends to get cluttered — your garage, your calendar, your phone, your inbox, your mind?
What usually fills it up, and how does that mirror the way our hearts can become crowded?

Discussion Guide

1. The message reminded us that you can’t “be still” and “be busy” at the same time. What might “being still” look like for you in this season?
2. In what ways do you relate more to Martha (doing for God) or Mary (being with God)? How do you balance the two?
3. Trent said, “Growth isn’t about more seed, it’s about more space.” What’s one area of your life that may need space cleared so God can grow something new?
4. Sometimes, we measure our faith by how busy we are for God instead of how close we are to Him. How can this group help one another stay centered on presence rather than performance?
5. Over these next 40 days, what’s one hope or prayer you have for what God might do in you and through you?

Real-Time Practice — “The Quiet Minute”

Before closing, invite everyone to sit in one minute of silence.

“Take a deep breath. Picture the crowded parts of your life — and now picture making space for Jesus there. Ask Him to show you where He wants to meet you in the next 40 days.”

End with a brief, unhurried prayer inviting peace and expectation into the weeks ahead.

Whether you are new group just for this series or you're an established group who has been meeting together for years, we've got a group experience for you! 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CzlAEwvKPjfCtHzEWwjF9aBU4s3r6hIF

Icebreaker Question:

When was a time someone showed you kindness that went way beyond what was convenient for them?

From the questions below, pick a few that resonate with you and your group...

1. Why do you think the ‘expert’ in the law asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

What fear or resistance do you think was behind that question?

2. The priest and the Levite saw the man…but didn’t act.

What are some things that keep you from ‘acting?

(some ideas: fear/busyness/not knowing what to say/feeling like someone else is

more qualified/being tired/out of time yourself…)

3. Jesus consistently moved toward people others avoided.

Pastor Tom said, “Mercy moves us toward people, not away from them.”

Where in your life do you see the temptation to move away instead of move toward?

4. Hosea 6:6 – I desire mercy, not sacrifice

What do you think this meant for the religious leaders in Jesus’ day and what does it mean for us today?

Do you think that religious activity can sometimes mask a lack of compassion?

5. Hospitality and Cost:

This week we said, “Hospitality is not measured by how convenient it is, but by how much of YOU it costs.”

Which part of you is hardest to give—your time, attention, comfort, emotional energy, or money? Why?

6. Staying Involved

The Samaritan didn’t just help once—he said, “I’ll be back.” How can we, not only help but stay involved in someone’s life?

7. What Kind of Neighbor Am I?

And what kind of neighbor do you want to be?

What are the changes you might have to consider making for that to be possible?

Bonus Question:

Which story of Jesus moving toward people (leper, woman at the well,

Zacchaeus, demon-possessed man, children, Peter) reflects how He moved toward you in your life?