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Stranger to Friend

Hospitality in the Christian Tradition

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.

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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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

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Recall related topics and coursework to enhance understanding of the upcoming concepts on hospitality.

Browse courses on Hospitality

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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

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of hospitality from a theological perspective, setting a strong foundation for the course.

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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

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Engage in discussions with peers to exchange insights, clarify concepts, and broaden perspectives on hospitality.

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Join online discussion forums related to the course content.
Actively participate in discussions, sharing thoughts and responding to others.

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Watch videos on hospitality practices

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Enhance understanding of practical aspects of hospitality through guided video demonstrations.

Browse courses on Videos

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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

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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

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Stranger to Friend: Hospitality in the Christian Tradition.

The Sacred Writings of the Apocrypha the New...

Save

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, and it contains the writings of the early church. It includes the gospels, the epistles, and the book of Revelation.

The Sacred Writings of the Apocrypha the New...

Kindle Edition

The Bible Book by Book

Save

As the foundational text of Christianity, the Bible is essential for gaining a broad understanding of the faith. It provides the narratives, teachings, and historical context that underpin Christian beliefs and practices. primary source and is crucial for any level of study.

The Bible Book by Book: Study, Analyze, Understand

Hardcover

The Bible, Book by Book

Kindle Edition

Story of Christianity: Volume 2

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Continuing from Volume 1, this book covers the history of Christianity from the Reformation to contemporary times. It is essential for understanding the major movements, figures, and global expansion of Christianity. Together with Volume 1, it provides a complete historical overview.

Stranger to Friend

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Christian hospitality: deep insights & practical steps

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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