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Thomas Power

The course introduces you to the tradition of hospitality in the Christian tradition through an examination of its practices in ancient Israel, New Testament times, and in the early Church.  Attention is given to recognizing divine hospitality by seeing God as Host and Christ as our Guest as shown in forgiveness and service. The practices of hospitality to one another are introduced with an emphasis on the abandonment of fear, identifying strangers, and moving from stranger to friend. Strategies for practicing hospitality in home and church settings, in neighborhood, community, and society including the workplace and through welcoming the other, are introduced. Throughout the emphasis is on moving away from the notion of hospitality as a form of entertainment towards a model that is wider and more inclusive, diverse in its expression, and with the intent of extending community. The underlying consideration is how do we respond to the hospitality of God in terms of our relationship with others around us. Acceptance of one's own and the other's giftedness and weaknesses is paramount. This may mean being able to respond to abilities and values that differ from our own. Practical exercises are prescribed for each section of the course that will allow you to implement some of the principles of hospitality outlined.

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The course introduces you to the tradition of hospitality in the Christian tradition through an examination of its practices in ancient Israel, New Testament times, and in the early Church.  Attention is given to recognizing divine hospitality by seeing God as Host and Christ as our Guest as shown in forgiveness and service. The practices of hospitality to one another are introduced with an emphasis on the abandonment of fear, identifying strangers, and moving from stranger to friend. Strategies for practicing hospitality in home and church settings, in neighborhood, community, and society including the workplace and through welcoming the other, are introduced. Throughout the emphasis is on moving away from the notion of hospitality as a form of entertainment towards a model that is wider and more inclusive, diverse in its expression, and with the intent of extending community. The underlying consideration is how do we respond to the hospitality of God in terms of our relationship with others around us. Acceptance of one's own and the other's giftedness and weaknesses is paramount. This may mean being able to respond to abilities and values that differ from our own. Practical exercises are prescribed for each section of the course that will allow you to implement some of the principles of hospitality outlined.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the practice of hospitality in world religions, ancient israel, the new testament, and in the early church.
  • Define divine hospitality by viewing god as host and christ as our guest seen in forgiveness and service.
  • Discover the exercise of hospitality to one another through the abandonment of fear, identifying strangers, and moving from stranger to guest.
  • Learn strategies for practicing hospitality in home and church settings.
  • Learn how to implement practices of hospitality in neighborhood, community, and society including the workplace and through welcoming.

Syllabus

Hospitality: Past and Prospect
Introduction
Hospitality and World Religions
Hospitality in Ancient Israel
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines the theological underpinnings of the Christian hospitality tradition
Thomas Power are the instructors for this course
Appropriate for learners wanting to get a good understanding of the theology of Christian hospitality
Develops strategies for practicing hospitality in both home and church settings
Explores different ways to welcome others, including strangers and immigrants

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Reviews summary

Christian hospitality: deep insights & practical steps

According to learners, this course offers a profound and engaging exploration of hospitality within the Christian tradition, moving beyond superficial understandings. Students particularly appreciate the rich theological grounding and the practical exercises that help apply the concepts to daily life. The instructor's expertise and compassionate delivery are frequently highlighted, making the lectures insightful and inspiring. While overwhelmingly positive, a few older reviews suggest the course's depth might be challenging for some new to theological concepts, though recent feedback indicates a consistently high-quality experience.
Well-structured content, generally easy to follow.
"The course was well-paced and built nicely from foundational concepts to practical applications."
"Each module flowed logically, making it easy to absorb the material and reflect on it."
"I found the structure very helpful for understanding both the historical and contemporary aspects of hospitality."
Relevant for diverse Christian backgrounds and interests.
"As someone involved in church ministry, I found this incredibly relevant for community building."
"I'm a lifelong learner, and this course deepened my faith and provided new spiritual insights."
"It's great for anyone wanting to understand Christian hospitality better, whether for personal growth or service."
Shifts understanding of hospitality and personal outlook.
"It transformed my view of what it means to be truly hospitable, moving beyond social norms to spiritual practice."
"This course really opened my eyes to the fear that can prevent us from truly welcoming others."
"I now see opportunities for hospitality everywhere, which has changed how I interact with the world."
Provides actionable strategies for daily life.
"The practical exercises really helped me think about how to apply these principles in my home and community."
"I appreciated the focus on moving from stranger to friend and concrete ways to welcome others."
"This course gave me tools to practice hospitality in meaningful ways, even in challenging situations."
Instructor's knowledge and delivery greatly enhance learning.
"The instructor is truly inspiring; her passion for the subject shines through every lecture."
"I found the instructor's teaching style compassionate and deeply knowledgeable, which kept me engaged."
"Her clear explanations and thoughtful reflections made complex ideas accessible and relatable."
Offers a rich, nuanced understanding of Christian hospitality.
"I loved how the course redefined hospitality for me, showing it's about much more than just entertainment."
"The focus on God as Host and Christ as Guest was incredibly insightful and truly transformative."
"This course provided a deep dive into the theological underpinnings of hospitality that I hadn't encountered before."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Stranger to Friend: Hospitality in the Christian Tradition with these activities:
Study previous notes and assignments
Recall related topics and coursework to enhance understanding of the upcoming concepts on hospitality.
Browse courses on Hospitality
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes and assigned readings from prior coursework in Christian studies or related subjects.
  • Summarize key concepts and theories related to hospitality.
Read 'A Theology of Hospitality' by Miroslav Volf
Gain a comprehensive understanding of hospitality from a theological perspective, setting a strong foundation for the course.
Show steps
  • Read and comprehend key chapters related to the concept of hospitality and its theological implications.
  • Highlight and take notes on important passages for future reference.
Participate in online discussion forums
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange insights, clarify concepts, and broaden perspectives on hospitality.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums related to the course content.
  • Actively participate in discussions, sharing thoughts and responding to others.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Watch videos on hospitality practices
Enhance understanding of practical aspects of hospitality through guided video demonstrations.
Browse courses on Videos
Show steps
  • Search for and select videos that showcase different hospitality practices.
  • Watch the videos and take notes on key points and techniques.
Volunteer at a local organization that provides hospitality services
Gain hands-on experience in practicing hospitality in a real-world setting, while making a valuable contribution to the community.
Browse courses on Volunteering
Show steps
  • Research and identify local organizations that provide hospitality services.
  • Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Commit to a specific volunteering schedule and fulfill the responsibilities.
  • Reflect on the experience and identify key lessons learned about hospitality in practice.

Career center

Learners who complete Stranger to Friend: Hospitality in the Christian Tradition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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