($10.95 for 1-5; $8.95 for 6-15; $7.95 for 16+)

After recently conducting dozens of focus groups on the topic of hospitality, Karen discovered that people were re-defining the word “neighbor” to mean “the stranger who lives next door.” Although those of us who live in a post-modern society often long for significant connections with other humans, our lives are too crowded and busy to exercise the very tools that can bring us closer to others. Hospitality is one of those tools and it is regularly emphasized in Scripture as a pattern for Christian living. Karen shows how to overcome the barriers to being hospitable.

Indeed, Karen believes that a hospitable family can change its neighborhood and a hospitable church can change its community. She writes, “In this inhospitable world, a Christian home is a miracle to be shared.” Just inviting folk to dinner can become an evangelistic act. Mains insists that the acts of warm invitation and true welcome are God-like and can reap surprising spiritual fruit.

In Open Heart, Open Home (over 600,000 copies in print) award-winning Karen Mains steps far beyond how-to-entertain you hints to explore the deeper concepts of Christian hospitality-the Biblical way to use your home and an open heart to care for others like God wants us to. Countless pastors have recommended this classic resource as the meaningful example of how the Holy Spirit ministers to and through us to make other people feel truly welcome and deeply wanted.

Perfect for any women's bible study group, especially when used in tandem with the Opening Our Hearts & Homes Bible Study.

This new edition contains 54 helpful ways to make hospitality work whether you live on a country farm, in a house in the suburbs, or in an apartment in the city. Everyone in your bible study will appreciate the life-changing principles of this timeless classic.

Softcover / 208 pp.

Introduction

1. "Company's Comin'!"
2. On Entertaining
3. The Immanent Guest
4. The Gift of Hospitality
5. The Servant
6. On Serving & Being Served
7. Telltale Marks
8. Welcome
9. The Family of Joint Heirs
10. Open Homes
11. The Finest House in Town
12. Householding
13. Open Hearts
14. The Hospice
15. Stewards of Time
16. Shortcuts
17. Creativity and Simplicity
18. At Ease

Given to Hospitality - a Prayer