Welcoming visitors to church is more than just a kind gesture; it reflects the heart of Christ’s message of love and inclusion.
Many people experience emotional and spiritual challenges when entering a new church, feeling uncertain or out of place. However, the Bible offers timeless wisdom and encouragement to both visitors and church members, reminding us of our call to hospitality.
This blog post explores 15 Bible verses about welcoming visitors in church, unpacking their meaning, and providing practical ways to apply these teachings.
By focusing on the Bible’s guidance, we can foster an environment where visitors feel embraced and encouraged in their faith journey.
Key Takeaways
- Hospitality is a biblical principle rooted in love, kindness, and the example of Jesus Christ.
- The Bible teaches us to welcome strangers as though welcoming Christ Himself.
- Welcoming visitors involves more than actions; it requires a heart posture of openness, humility, and genuine care.
- Practical applications include greeting newcomers warmly, offering help without judgment, and building meaningful relationships.
15 Bible Verses About Welcoming Visitors in Church
1. Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
- Meaning: This verse reminds us that hospitality is not just a human responsibility but a spiritual opportunity. Welcoming strangers could have divine implications.
- Application: Approach every visitor with the mindset that they are a gift from God. Greet them warmly, offer assistance, and engage in meaningful conversation.
2. Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
- Meaning: Jesus emphasizes that acts of kindness to others are acts of kindness to Him. Inviting strangers reflects Christ’s love.
- Application: Host events like coffee hours or community meals to create an inviting atmosphere for visitors to connect with the congregation.
3. Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Meaning: Hospitality is not optional; it’s a core expression of Christian love and service.
- Application: Create a team in your church dedicated to welcoming visitors and ensuring their needs are met, whether it’s providing information or offering prayers.
4. Leviticus 19:34
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
- Meaning: God commands us to treat strangers with the same love and respect we would show our own family or community.
- Application: Teach the congregation to embrace diversity and foster inclusivity, ensuring everyone feels at home.
5. 1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
- Meaning: True hospitality is joyful and willing, not done out of obligation or reluctance.
- Application: Train greeters to serve with genuine smiles and enthusiasm, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
6. Luke 14:13-14
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
- Meaning: Hospitality should extend to those who are often overlooked, demonstrating Christ’s unconditional love.
- Application: Host outreach events or services that specifically invite and accommodate marginalized groups.
7. Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
- Meaning: Acts of kindness and hospitality are investments in God’s kingdom, and He values and rewards them.
- Application: Offer practical help to visitors in need, such as transportation, meals, or childcare.
8. 3 John 1:5
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.”
- Meaning: Faithfulness in serving strangers reflects a commitment to God’s will.
- Application: Encourage members to actively participate in welcoming ministries and to build relationships with new attendees.
9. Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
- Meaning: Hospitality is an act of justice and righteousness, meeting both spiritual and physical needs.
- Application: Organize donation drives or partner with local charities to assist visitors and their families.
10. Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
- Meaning: Serving others, including welcoming visitors, is ultimately service to God.
- Application: Cultivate a mindset of excellence and purpose in all aspects of church hospitality, from greeters to ushers.
11. Deuteronomy 10:19
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
- Meaning: God’s love extends to all people, and we are called to show the same love and care to strangers.
- Application: Celebrate cultural diversity within your church and create opportunities for cross-cultural understanding.
12. Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
- Meaning: Genuine hospitality stems from humility and prioritizing others’ needs over personal comfort.
- Application: Create a culture of selflessness within your congregation, encouraging members to serve visitors joyfully.
13. Acts 16:33-34
“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”
- Meaning: Hospitality often leads to spiritual transformation, fostering joy and community.
- Application: Develop small group gatherings where visitors can share meals, stories, and faith journeys.
14. Matthew 10:40
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
- Meaning: Welcoming others is equivalent to welcoming Christ and His message.
- Application: Regularly pray as a congregation for the ability to embody Christ’s welcoming spirit.
15. Ephesians 2:19
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
- Meaning: In Christ, there is unity, and all believers are part of God’s family.
- Application: Reinforce the idea that visitors are not just guests but integral parts of God’s household.
Conclusion
Welcoming visitors to church is a sacred responsibility that reflects the heart of Christ. By embracing these Bible verses about welcoming visitors in church, we can create a community that is inclusive, loving, and spiritually uplifting.
These scriptures guide us to open our hearts, homes, and sanctuaries, ensuring everyone feels valued and cared for.