Hey friends of The Master’s Program! Welcome back to the Insider Journal.
We’re now in part four of our seven-part series on raising a family to follow Jesus. Whether you’re single, childless, raising young kids, or already an empty nester, Matthew 12:46–50 reminds us that we all have a family to lead: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” So, when you hear the word kids or children—and none are living in your home right now—think instead about your spiritual children, the ones God has entrusted to you to help develop in faith.
Last time, we talked about parenting adult children—how to shift from control to influence by living a faith adventure that displays God’s power. This week, we’re turning to another key practice: hospitality. Opening your home to others not only blesses those who walk through your door, it also gives your kids a front-row seat to real-world challenges and living examples of Jesus-followers. To show you what I mean, let me share a story from my own family.
When my kids were younger, our home was like a revolving door—friends, neighbors, even strangers were often at our table. One evening, the single parent ministry at our church reached out. A mother in crisis was about to spend the night in her car if no one intervened. Her situation was heartbreaking, and we agreed to offer her a place to stay while she figured things out. She was new in her faith and facing real hardship, but we believed that any temporary inconvenience would be worth it if Jesus could be lifted up in her life.
What we thought would be a short stay turned out to be even shorter. After just one night, she wanted to take back control of her children and her situation—which, honestly, who could blame her? She made arrangements and got settled elsewhere. But my kids had been watching the whole time. They saw firsthand that not every family has a bed to sleep in, a marriage to depend on, or an intact home to return to.
Life doesn’t hide its problems from our kids. Brokenness, pain, and sin are everywhere—from the news, to social media, to the world right in front of them. As parents, we can’t shield them from the mess, and honestly, we shouldn’t. The real question is: how do we help them face it with faith?
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 reminds us to impress God’s commands on our children by weaving them into everyday life. If faith only lives in a vacuum, our kids miss seeing how it works in the middle of real problems. That’s where hospitality comes in. When we open our homes, our kids see both life’s struggles and the best examples of Jesus-followers living out the call to “love God, love people, make disciples.” Without that exposure, faith risks looking like just a Sunday ritual instead of the lifeline it truly is.
So, how do we use hospitality to show our kids faith in action? Here are four practical steps to make your home a classroom for faith through hospitality:
- Open Your Door. Invite people into your home—friends, neighbors, or someone from church facing a challenge. It doesn’t need to be fancy—a simple meal or coffee works. Let your kids see you welcome others, as Hebrews 13:2 urges: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
- Share Real Stories. During these gatherings, share how God’s worked in your life—maybe a time He provided in a crisis. This shows those who are following you that faith isn’t theoretical; it’s a response to real problems, to cultivate faith in your home.
- Involve Your Kids. Let them help, give them an assignment—make the snacks, greet guests, or pray. As they grow, ask them to share a verse or a story of God’s faithfulness. This builds their confidence in faith.
- Model Vulnerability. Be honest about your own struggles and how Jesus sustains you. When kids see you and others rely on God through real issues, they learn faith is a lifeline.
Survey your kids afterwards: “How does having people over help you see Jesus?” Their answers might surprise you—and they can shape the way you practice hospitality.
In our home, hospitality has become a rhythm. We’ve opened our doors to small groups, neighbors, and even strangers. My kids have watched us pray with people walking through job loss, deep struggles, and broken relationships. They’ve listened to stories of God’s provision—like when we stepped out in faith to pursue our calling and saw Him come through. None of it has ever been perfect, or neat and tidy. But it has been powerful—shaping our hearts and theirs for eternity.
Think about the legacy you’re building. When your kids look back, will they remember a home that hid from the world—or one that welcomed it in, showing Jesus’ power in the midst of real problems? I want my kids to be able to say, “Mom and Dad showed me Jesus by opening our home.” Hospitality isn’t just an act of kindness; it’s a classroom where your children watch faith in action, tackling life’s mess head-on.
Here’s your call to action: invite someone into your home—a neighbor, a struggling friend, or a member of your church. Share a meal, a story, and a prayer, and involve your kids in the process. Let them see Jesus at work in real life.
Stay with us—by episode seven, I’ll share the most critical advice I’ve learned for guiding adult children in faith. Let’s show them the way—through Jesus. While their choices are ultimately their own, without our guidance they may only encounter problems with no answers.
In your corner,
Jeff
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