JOIN THE JOURNEY JR.
Families Abiding in Jesus together
With shorter reading assignments and kid-specific focus areas, Join The Journey Jr. is designed to help parents disciple their kids and engage with Scripture in the best ways for their age.
This month's memory verse
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
On Monday, we read that the islanders showed Paul “unusual kindness” by welcoming him and the others with a warm fire after their shipwreck. (Acts 28:2).
In today’s reading, we see kindness continue. Paul prayed for Publius’ sick father, and God healed him. Then, other sick islanders came and were healed, too. When it was time for Paul and the others to leave, the islanders generously provided them with everything they needed for their journey (Acts 28:10).
What began with an act of hospitality towards strangers grew into a beautiful display of kindness throughout the island.
Hospitality is simply showing kindness and care to others, especially those we may not know well. It means welcoming others with generous, unselfish hearts.
Kindness can have a ripple effect, encouraging others to show kindness, too. We don’t practice hospitality to get something in return. We do it because God has first shown us his kindness, and we want to reflect that kindness to others.
How can you practice hospitality? Maybe it looks like helping a neighbor rake leaves, donating food to a family in need, or showing kindness at home by helping with chores without being asked.
“Lord, thank you for giving us opportunities to show kindness to others. Give us eyes to see the needs around us and hearts that are willing to serve others. Teach us to give generously without expecting anything in return. May our hospitality reflect your goodness and glorify your name. Amen.”