Welcoming Others Like Christ Welcomes Us
(Romans 15:1-13)
Paul wrote a letter to the church in Rome. He wanted to teach them how to live together in peace. Paul knew that some of the believers were strong in their faith. They understood that they could eat any kind of food because God had made all food clean. Other believers were weaker in their faith. They thought they should only eat vegetables. Both groups loved Jesus, but they disagreed about what to eat.
Paul said that the strong believers should not look down on the weak believers. The weak believers should not judge the strong believers. Instead, they should welcome one another just as Christ welcomed them. Paul explained that Jesus did not please himself. He came to serve others and to bring glory to God the Father.
Paul reminded the Romans that Jesus was a servant to the Jewish people. This showed that God always keeps his promises. God had promised the patriarchs, the fathers of the Jewish nation, that he would send a Savior. Jesus came to fulfill that promise. Now the Gentiles, or non-Jewish people, could also praise God because of his mercy.
Paul quoted several verses from the Old Testament to prove his point. He wrote, "I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing to your name." He also quoted, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him." Finally, he quoted the prophet Isaiah, who said, "The root of Jesse will come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles, in him will the Gentiles hope." All of these verses showed that God always planned to save both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul ended this part of his letter with a beautiful prayer. He asked God to fill the believers with joy and peace as they trusted in him. He prayed that they would overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then he said something amazing. He said that the God of hope would be with them. And he said that they should welcome one another just as Christ welcomed them, for the glory of God.
Think about what it means to welcome someone. When you welcome a new friend into your home, you open the door wide. You smile and invite them in. You make them feel like they belong. That is what Christ did for us. He opened the door of salvation wide. He invited us into his family. He welcomed us even though we did not deserve it. Now Paul says we should treat each other the same way. We should put aside our small disagreements and focus on the big truth that we all belong to Jesus. That is how we bring glory to God.
A Curious Question
Why did Paul tell the Roman believers to welcome each other just like Christ welcomed them, even when they disagreed about what foods to eat?
Old Testament Connection
Paul did not just make up this idea about welcoming others. He showed that it was God's plan all along. God made a promise to Abraham many years before Jesus was born. God said that all the families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham's family. This promise is called the Abrahamic Covenant. It meant that God would save people from every nation, not just from Israel.
Paul quoted verses from the Psalms and from the prophet Isaiah to prove that the Messiah would rule over the Gentiles. Jesus is the root of Jesse, which means he is from King David's family. Jesus came to be the King of all people, both Jews and Gentiles. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he made a way for everyone to be saved. This is the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples before he went back to heaven. He told them to go and make disciples of all nations. Paul's teaching in Romans 15 is rooted in that promise. Jesus welcomed us, and now we welcome others.
Discussion Questions
- Paul said that strong believers should not look down on weak believers. What does it look like when someone looks down on another person because they do something differently?
- Why is it important to welcome other believers into God's family even if they are different from us or do things in a different way?
- How does knowing that Jesus welcomed you even before you were perfect help you welcome others who are not perfect?
So What? What Can I Do?
- When a new kid comes to your church or school, how can you welcome them the way Christ welcomed you?
- When a friend makes a different choice than you, how can you still love them and not argue about small things?
- When you feel left out or judged, how does remembering that Jesus welcomed you give you hope and strength?
Memorize God's Word
"Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7
• Welcome one another pretend to open a door wide and gesture with your hand for someone to enter.
as Christ has welcomed you, point upward to heaven with both hands, then cross your arms over your chest to represent yourself.
for the glory of God. point both index fingers upward and then spread your arms wide as if praising God.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to welcome us into your family. Help us to welcome others the same way. Give us patience when we disagree and love when we feel different. Fill us with joy and peace and hope by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Craft or Activity
Welcome Door Hanger Craft
How to Make the Welcome Door Hanger:
- Cut a piece of cardstock into a large door hanger shape. You can trace a real door hanger or cut a rectangle about 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide. Cut a small circle at the top for the door knob.
- Write the memory verse, "Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you," on the door hanger using markers or crayons.
- Decorate your door hanger with stickers, foam shapes, or drawings of doors and smiling faces to show welcome.
- Punch a hole at the top of the circle you cut for the door knob.
- Thread the yarn or ribbon through the hole and tie it in a loop so you can hang it on a door.
- Hang your door hanger on your bedroom door or a door in your home to remind you to welcome others like Jesus welcomed you.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Use hand motions for "welcome" and "glory" to help them remember the memory verse. Let them color simple door shapes and add stickers for their craft.
For Older Kids: Challenge them to memorize Romans 15:7 and explain what "glory of God" means in their own words. Ask them to think of a time they felt welcomed or unwelcome and discuss how they can change that for someone else.
Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the cardstock into door hanger shapes before class. Write the verse on a whiteboard or large paper for kids to copy easily.
Classroom Management: Pair kids up to help each other with their crafts. This gives them a chance to practice welcoming and helping someone else right during the lesson.