Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Book Review: The Simplest Way to Change the World (Moody)

No automatic alt text available.


This book is a very practical guide to the biblical command to hospitality. It builds on the premise that hospitality is counter cultural and that true hospitality builds connectedness and relationships, and believers must be intentional and purposeful. The authors are point on, with the suggestion, that while we want our homes to be an oasis or refuge in life, that home is to be a refuge for all who enter it, not just me, and that will be radical to many people. They explain how this is a book for ordinary people to have no excuse to change the world in which they live!

The books not only shares the theology and biblical reasons to be hospitable, it is a resource of ideas, strategies, and authentic examples of a lifestyle of hospitality. Having grown up with hospitality ongoing, and continued the practice in our home, this concept was not one that was new to me. I appreciated how the authors addressed simple ideas to fulfill this command in your neighborhood. It's an easy read, has bullet point summaries throughout, personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter, and a built in discussion guide for small groups. So it's an excellent resource and would be most appropriate for group discussion.

It's really a book centered on how to live out the gospel, wherever you live- house, apartment, dorm room. You can love your neighbor as yourself.

Some favorite quotes: "When we are loving, warm, and gracious, we put the gospel on display."
" Any time we practice hospitality, we put human flesh on this gospel story"

No automatic alt text available.

One wonder I had- was if adoption/foster parenting could have been also included as a way to change the world, even knowing that it will prevent or alter your in your home hospitality. It definitely is a fitting lifestyle to help heal the broken, and lead them to a Savoir.

Thanks for the chance to read a pre-release copy. I was provide a copy in exchange for my honest review