Be Our Guest! – May 19, 2025

Read: Acts 11:1-18

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’’ . . . So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 11:4-18 (select verses)

Be Our Guest!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever seen Beauty and the Beast? There’s a fun scene where Belle sneaks downstairs at night because she’s super hungry. Instead of treating her like a prisoner, all the enchanted furniture welcomes her with a fancy dinner! They roll out a huge white tablecloth, pile on yummy food—beef stew, cheesy treats, flaming desserts—and sing, “Be our guest!” They want her to feel special.

A long time ago, Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, had a super strange dream. In the dream, a big white sheet came down from heaven. On it were animals—big ones, creepy ones, flying ones. Then Peter heard a voice say, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Peter was shocked! “I can’t eat those! Jewish people don’t eat those animals!” But then the voice said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

God was showing Peter something amazing: Jesus didn’t just come for one group of people. He came for everyone. Jesus’ love is for the whole world—no matter where you’re from or what you’ve done.

It’s like God rolled out a big tablecloth, filled it with something way better than beef stew and pie, and said, “You’re my guest. Come sit at my table. You belong here because of Jesus.”

Jesus died on the cross and rose again to wash away all our sins—even the really messy, ugly ones. Because of him, we’re not prisoners to sin anymore—we’re invited guests at God’s heavenly banquet!

And guess what? The guest list is HUGE. Everyone is welcome. Even people who weren’t part of God’s family before. That means you. That means me. That means everyone!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away the old rules and making a place for us at your table. Thank you for loving us and inviting us to the party in heaven. Help us tell others that they’re invited too! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What are some of our favorite foods to eat for dinner? Do you think someone from the Old Testament could eat those foods, or were they on God’s “do not eat” list back then?
• Why is it okay for us to eat things like hamburgers or bacon today, even though people in the Bible couldn’t?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• In the Bible story, why were some people upset with Peter when he visited other people in Judea?
• Have you ever been told you were doing something wrong when you were just trying to be kind or include someone? How does it help to remember that God wants everyone to be part of his family?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What strange and surprising thing did Peter see in his dream from God?
• Why doesn’t God usually use dreams or visions to speak to people today? How does God help us know what to do instead?