A Book Review on  The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

Hi friends! My recent post was all about how moms can evangelize right where they are at. Here is a resource that will both motivate and equip anyone seeking to show hospitality. I encourage you to get your hands on this book! I hope you will find it helpful in your pursuit of ‘table ministry’ as Jesus so often did.

Overview

This book does not follow your average Christian living book format. Rosaria Butterfield skillfully brings you into her lifestyle of practicing daily, ordinary, radical hospitality through a journaling format. She uses captivating imagery and storytelling to keep her readers hanging on her every word. Butterfield beautifully ties together the commands to love thy neighbor and seek to show hospitality. These are two distinctive marks of a true Christian. This book is anything but boring! It will challenge you to consider how you can love your neighbor better through the practice of everyday hospitality.

My Review

I found this book deeply challenging. I finished feeling encouraged and equipped to live out what Rosaria has coined daily ordinary, radical hospitality. Rosaria’s first-hand account of how she personally practices hospitality is encouraging. It left me feeling more inclined to open up my daily life to those in my neighborhood and my church. Life on life discipleship cannot happen if you are not experiencing life with your sister in Christ. I pray for opportunities for evangelism. However, I will miss them if I am not allowing my unbelieving neighbor close enough to hear the good news.

Our homes are a gift from God, which can be used to bless others. Prior to reading, I had several questions regarding issues I’ve faced in my quest to become more hospitable. To my surprise, she adequately addressed every concern I had. I was confronted with the reality that, at times, my sin prevents my obedience to the command of biblical hospitality. The Gospel Comes with a House Key shows what true hospitality looks like. By recounting real examples and addressing possible pitfalls, Rosaria walks us through the mechanics. By reminding us of the biblical truths behind this service, Rosaria exhorts us to a deeper love for our neighbor.

Final Thoughts

This book functions as both an entertaining read and a reference resource for future use. It would be great for a book club discussion group. I typically do not promote reading the preface at the beginning of a book, but in this case, I will. The preface really provides a clear understanding of how the author is going to guide you through the book. Butterfield sets up what you can expect from her, what you will learn, and she specifically defines hospitality. You will not be disappointed!

Shameka

I received a review copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own.