Why We’re Calling It House of Bethany
Hey friends,
Last week, I shared a bit about the journey my family is on—rediscovering the power, simplicity, and beauty of house church, much like what the early church experienced during its first 300 years.
I mentioned that we’ve settled on a name for our gathering: House of Bethany.
Let me share why.
Why Bethany?
Bethany was, quite possibly, Jesus’ favorite place during His earthly ministry. It was home to Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Simon the Leper.
Some of Jesus’ most pivotal moments happened there:
- His bold teachings (like cursing the fig tree),
- His deepest sorrow (where He wept),
- Lavish worship (the alabaster jar),
- And even His greatest miracles (raising Lazarus, including His ascension).
Bethany wasn’t just a town outside Jerusalem. It represented something more a place outside the religious system, where Jesus was most welcomed.
It was where His presence was most treasured, His teachings most embraced, His friendships most rich, and His power most displayed.
The Household of Bethany: A Blueprint for Us
About ten years ago, the Lord showed me something that’s stayed with me ever since—each person in the Bethany household represents a key aspect of spiritual formation for us.
This has become the blueprint for our house church.
Mary
Mary teaches us to gather around Jesus first and foremost to sit at His feet, listen to His Word, and let Him shape us into His likeness.
We meet to be with Him in our homes, as a family. We come to adore Him, to pour out our “alabaster jar” our worship, our resources, our very selves at His feet, simply because He is worthy.
Martha
Martha reminds us to serve. She was attuned to the needs of Jesus and others in the home, and she used her gifts to bless those around her.
We’re committed to seeing every person in our fellowship discover and use their spiritual gifts to serve both the Lord and one another, expressing Jesus corporately and meeting the needs within the family of faith.
Yet, as vital as service is, we also know that serving must never come before intimacy with Jesus.
Lazarus
Lazarus is a picture of table fellowship. He reclined at the table with Jesus and others sharing meals, conversations, and laughter in His presence.
The table has always been a central place of fellowship with God from Eden, to the wilderness with the elders of Israel, through Jesus’ ministry (“friend of sinners”), and into the early church’s rhythms of breaking bread together. It even points toward the ultimate wedding feast to come.
We gather around the table, too, sharing life, stories, meals, and joy with each other and with Jesus at the center.
Lazarus Resurrected
Lazarus’ resurrection displayed Jesus’ power over death in front of everyone.
We long to see this kind of resurrection power in our midst:
- Seeing sinners brought from death to life through evangelism.
- Seeing believers freed from “grave clothes” religion, guilt, shame, and legalism, through discipleship and healing.
We also believe we’re called to confront the systemic forms of death in our communities poverty, injustice, broken education systems, broken families, and more bringing resurrection life into those places through good works, advocacy, and prayer.
Simon the Leper
Simon, once a leper, was healed by Jesus and later hosted Him for dinner.
He represents the poor, the marginalized, the overlooked, and the voiceless.
We believe we are called to extend our lives and resources toward these precious ones—to ease their suffering, restore their dignity, and invite them into God’s family.
We want to be the kind of people the poor love to be around—those they’d gladly invite to dinner.
The Two Mission Fields of Bethany
Interestingly, two kinds of missions flowed from Bethany, and we’re praying both take root in our fellowship.
First, we see the “called-out ones” Jesus and His disciples who often gathered there before being sent out to preach, heal, and build the church. These are those called to the work those set apart, like Paul and Barnabas, for more intensive focus on the house of God.
Second, we see Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—people who, simply through their everyday lives, homes, and relationships, revealed Jesus’ love and character.
They invited their neighbors in, hosted meals, and introduced people to Jesus through hospitality and friendship. Their homes were their mission fields.
Both forms of mission are vital and we welcome both.
Our Heart for House of Bethany
At its core, House of Bethany exists to raise up other “royal families”-communities of disciples who gather around Jesus as King, love one another deeply, and live on mission together to see the rule and reign of Jesus’ government established and expanded.
We meet to worship openly, encourage one another, pray, make disciples, and seek the good of our city and beyond through tangible acts of service and generosity.
Would you keep us in prayer as we walk this exciting (and humbling) path with Jesus?
