Sacred Hospitality

Forming a Christian Response to Immigration

Leader’s Guide

Leader’s Guide

Welcome to Sacred Hospitality: Forming a Christian Response to Immigration Sunday school curriculum exploring the themes of hospitality and immigration.

This curriculum aims to deepen our understanding of biblical hospitality and compassion towards migrants through the practice of vulnerability, recognition, making room, and blessing. Over the next few sessions, we will listen to the stories of three migrants and reflect on how we can embody Christ-like hospitality towards them and others in our community.

Session Overview:

  • Session 1: Introduction and Mutual Vulnerability
    • Objective:
      • To identify mutual vulnerability, recognition, making room, and blessing as core elements of Christian hospitality
      • Understand how mutual vulnerability on behalf of both the host and the guest is the first step in building relationships.
    • Activity: Explore our own experiences with hospitality.
    • Discussion Points: How does vulnerability shape the migrant experience, and how can we respond with empathy and compassion?
  • Session 2: Recognition
    • Objective: Understand how recognizing the dignity of migrants amidst their journey is core to hospitable practices.
    • Activity: Listen to the migrant story and discuss how you recognize their experiences and dignity through the story.
    • Discussion Points: What does it mean to truly see and acknowledge migrants as individuals created in God’s image?
  • Session 3: Making Room
    • Objective: Explore the concept of hospitality as making room for migrants in our hearts and communities.
    • Activity: Reflect on the migrant story and investigate the ways room has been made for them in their journey and how room might continually be made for them.
    • Discussion Points: How can we practically make room for migrants in our lives and communities?
  • Session 4: Blessing
    • Objective: Learn how through hospitality with migrants, blessings flow between hosts and guests.
    • Activity: Watch the migrant story and reflect on what blessings they might offer your community and what blessings you might offer them.
    • Discussion Points: What are ways can we mutually bless migrants and be blessed by migrants in ways that exhibit God’s love?

Leader Preparation:

  1. Watch Stories: Watch the stories for each class session beforehand. Try to anticipate how different members of the class might react or respond to what is shared.
  2. Prepare to Facilitate Discussion around Questions: Answer the discussion questions for your self and brainstorm how the group might respond to the questions. What questions will be simple for the group to answer? Where might these stories evoke emotional responses? Where might tension arise in group discussion?
  3. Create a Safe Environment: Ensure the classroom environment is welcoming and respectful for discussions on sensitive topics. It is often helpful to create a conversation covenant that invites confidentiality, respect, curiosity, and self-awareness. Prepare for how you will lead the group if the stories or conversation become tense or if people need time and space for processing emotions.

Session Structure

  1. Opening (10 minutes)
    • Welcome the participants and open with prayer.
    • Engage with introductory material, scriptures read by students at Seminary of the Southwest, and discussion.
  2. Storytelling (20 minutes)
    • Present the migrant story for the session.
    • Encourage participants to listen actively and empathetically.
  3. Discussion (20- 30 minutes)
    • Use discussion questions to explore the key themes of each session.
    • Encourage participants to share their reflections and insights.
  4. Take Aways and Closing Prayer (5-10 minutes)
    • Everyone offer one take away of the class.
    • Close with a prayer for migrants and for a heart of compassion and hospitality.

Additional Resources

  • Scripture:
    • Matthew 25:35-40
    • Hebrews 13:1-2
    • Romans 12:10
  • Resources for working with immigrants:
  • Learn more about immigration:
    • American Immigration Council– Provides comprehensive resources on immigration policies, news updates, and research reports.
    • Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM)- EMM is the branch of the Episcopal Church that engages in supporting migrants and refugees in the US. They are a great resource in continuing education and engagement with topics of migrants.
    • “The Canadian Dream: The Migrant Road to Canada” – This Youtube video explores the journey asylum seekers make from across the globe to find safety in North America.
    • United Nations Refugee Agency– This is the UN’s page for refugee resettlement. It has helpful information about refugee resettlement and ongoing conflicts around the world that continually displace people from their homes.

Conclusion

As we embark on this journey together, may we learn to embrace the call to hospitality and extend Christ’s love to those who are strangers in our midst. Let us approach each session with open hearts and minds, ready to grow in compassion and empathy towards migrants and all who are in need of hospitality.

Please share any feedback and/or questions you have for the curriculum:

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