07. Put Another Chair at the Table
Article 07
Put Another Chair at the Table
Article 07
Someone you know may be waiting for an invitation you have never offered.
You have prayed for them.
You have wondered how to talk with them about Jesus.
Perhaps the next step is as simple as this:
“Would you come over for a meal?”
A chair. A plate. Time to listen.
That could be the beginning.
A meal can open a door
In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him.
Levi left his work and followed Jesus. Then he hosted a great banquet at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors and others joined them.
Think about what Levi did.
He had just begun following Jesus, and he brought the people he knew into His presence.
He opened his home. He gathered his friends. He gave them an opportunity to encounter the One who was changing his life.
Who could encounter Jesus because you made room at your table?
You do not need a perfect home
We can make hospitality so complicated that we never practice it.
The house needs cleaning. The menu needs planning. We need a better dining table. Perhaps next month would be easier.
Meanwhile, someone nearby is lonely.
Someone has questions about God but wonders who would listen.
Someone would welcome a friendship that goes deeper than a greeting across the driveway.
Serve soup. Order pizza. Make coffee.
If hosting at home is difficult, meet at a park or a café.
The invitation matters more than the menu.
Make room for a real conversation
Invite someone you have been praying for, a neighbor, a coworker, a friend, or a person who has shown spiritual interest.
Then give them your attention.
Ask how they are doing. Listen to their story. Learn the names of the people they love.
You might ask:
“What has been encouraging you lately?”
“What has been difficult?”
“Is there something I could pray about for you?”
If they welcome a spiritual conversation, share something Jesus is teaching you. You could say:
“Would you be interested in reading a short story about Jesus together sometime? We could talk about what we discover.”
Give them room to respond honestly. Friendship grows through love, patience, and trust.
One table can lead to another
Imagine that person returning next week.
Then imagine them asking, “Could I bring my wife?” Or, “I have a friend who might like this.”
A few people begin opening the Bible together. They discover what Jesus says, put it into practice, and share what they learn.
Over time, that gathering can grow into a spiritual family that prays, cares for others, and helps another household discover Jesus.
Multiplication becomes possible as people learn to offer the same invitation themselves.
A chair at your table could become the beginning of a gathering around someone else’s.
Your next step
Before this week ends, invite one person to share a meal or a cup of coffee.
Make it specific:
“Would you like to come over Thursday evening? We’d love to spend some time with you.”
You cannot know everything God may do through that invitation.
But you can make room.
Put another chair at the table.
Want to go further?
Get equipped: Take the ten free Zúme training sessions and practice helping others follow Jesus and make disciples.
Let’s talk: If you would like help getting started, contact me. I would love to coach you as you take your next step.
Help encourage those doing the work: Your gift would be tax deductible and overseen by Northside Christian Church, our sending church. There are many we coach that could use encouragement in small ways to accomplish great things.
Terry Ruff
DMM Catalyst & Zúme Trainer | Missionary at Northside Christian Church
Watch on YouTube: 07. Put Another Chair at the Table · Series Playlist
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