In a world teeming with noise and distractions, the teachings of Jesus offer a roadmap to cultivate deeper connections with God and others through hospitality, listening, and mentoring. These three practices are not isolated acts but integral threads woven into the fabric of a life lived in faith. By embodying these principles, we participate in the spiritual formation of ourselves and others, creating a ripple effect of transformation.
Hospitality: The Table as a Sanctuary
Jesus’ ministry was marked by his consistent use of the table as a place of connection and restoration. Whether sharing meals with his disciples, the marginalized, or social outcasts, Jesus turned the simple act of eating into a sacred moment of hospitality. As Psalm 23 illustrates, “You prepare a table before me…”—a table symbolizes God’s welcome, grace, and provision.
Hospitality goes beyond offering food or a place to rest; it’s about extending dignity, respect, and honor to others. When we invite others to our tables, whether literal or metaphorical, we follow Jesus’ example of welcoming the stranger and honoring the guest. This practice challenges us to transform ordinary spaces into sanctuaries where healing, restoration, and community can flourish.
Listening: The Key to Spiritual Growth
“Listen to him,” God commands during the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9). These three words encapsulate a central tenet of discipleship—the necessity of listening. Listening is more than hearing; it is an act of obedience and intentionality. To truly listen, as Dan Allender writes, requires “a heart that is humble enough to move slowly through the cadence of another’s speech.”
Jesus exemplified this through his interactions. He listened deeply to the needs and stories of those he encountered, offering them not just words of comfort but a path to transformation. For us, listening begins with attuning our hearts to God’s voice through scripture, prayer, and reflection. It extends outward as we listen to others, creating spaces where their stories and struggles are met with compassion and understanding. Listening is the foundation for spiritual growth, enabling us to respond with love and wisdom.
Mentoring: Shaping Future Generations
Mentoring is not optional in the life of faith; it is a responsibility and a privilege. The Christian faith, as demonstrated by the first generations of Jesus’ followers, thrives through intentional discipleship. In mentoring, we see a commitment to a future that we may not yet fully grasp.
Mentoring involves sharing wisdom, asking meaningful questions, and helping others envision their “possible selves.” It’s a communal act of formation, as illustrated by the imagery of a young Christian holding a sword—a symbol of faith—with the support of others. This act underscores the truth that spiritual growth is not a solitary endeavor. We are called to be formed by others, with others, and for others, ensuring that the legacy of faith continues.
Living the Unified Call
Hospitality, listening, and mentoring are not standalone virtues but interconnected practices that define a faithful life. Together, they create a dynamic rhythm of receiving and giving, learning and teaching, resting and acting. They invite us to see every table as a classroom, every conversation as an opportunity to listen, and every relationship as a chance to shape and be shaped.
As followers of Jesus, we are tasked not only to grow in our faith but to foster growth in others. By practicing these principles, we fulfill the dual command to love God and love our neighbors, ensuring that the faith we hold dear is passed on to generations yet to come. In doing so, we answer the future’s plea: “Do it for us.”
Practice: Create One Intentional Space This Week
Choose one person in your life—a friend, a coworker, a Journey participant, a mentee—and create a small, intentional moment of hospitality and listening.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate.
- Brew a cup of coffee or tea.
- Sit in a quiet corner.
- Ask one thoughtful question.
- Hold space without rushing to fix, advise, or teach.
Afterward, take five minutes to reflect:
- What did I notice about them? About myself?
- Where did I sense God’s presence in the conversation?
- What might be one gentle next step in accompanying this person?
This simple practice forms the heart of mentoring—hospitality that welcomes, listening that honors, and presence that forms. Over time, these small, faithful acts shape lives and communities in ways we rarely see in the moment, but often recognize in hindsight.
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Keith Anderson, D.Min., is a Faculty Associate for Spirituality and Vocation at VantagePoint3 and President Emeritus of Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He is the author of several books, including his most recent: On Holy Ground: Your Story of Identity, Belonging and Sacred Purpose (Wipf & Stock, 2024). His other works include Reading Your Life’s Story (IVP, 2016), A Spirituality of Listening (IVP, 2016), and Spiritual Mentoring (IVP, 1999). In his writing, teaching, and mentoring, Keith seeks to set a table for people looking to enter the “amazing inner sanctuary of the soul” in the most ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.