Growing up, anytime my extended family got together to share a meal, the same series of events would happen. 

My dad, being the eldest son of my grandparents, would call everyone to gather around and pray before our meal. Then, his dad (my grandpa) would begin to pray. And without fail, my grandpa would make it only halfway through his prayer because he’d be overcome with emotion. You see, all around him would stand his wife, his kids, his grandkids, and often friends from the community. My grandpa would cry each time he had the opportunity to thank God for those He loved. As the tears began, my dad would graciously conclude the prayer. As kids, my cousins and I would hedge bets on how far grandpa would make it before tears. Now, the very thing I used to snicker at as a child has left a profound impact on me as an adult. My grandpa modeled for me what it means to be consistently grateful. 

This is just one small example of how ordinary meals and traditions can provide space to build a legacy of faith. Our faith was never meant to be confined to Sunday morning worship services—our faith in Christ is meant to permeate every area of our lives. The Apostle Paul wisely encouraged the Corinthian church with this message: “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Every meal provides an opportunity to worship—an opportunity to thank God for the gift of life in Christ Jesus.  Jesus gives meaning to even the most mundane routines in our lives. Dinners are not just just family gatherings,  they are purpose-filled spaces where we can glorify God. Discipleship isn’t always adding a new program or a new activity; rather, it’s infusing the gospel into the everyday rhythms we’re already practicing.

Let’s explore a few ways in which family dinners can leave a lasting legacy of faith in your family. 

The Opportunity To Serve

Meals provide endless opportunities for your family to practice serving one another. Scripture calls us to “serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13) and to “take the lead in honoring one another” (Romans 12:10). Jesus set an example of service when he washed the disciples’ feet before Passover (John 13:1–17). Today, we can follow Christ’s cue and think of dinner time as an opportunity to serve those we love. We can cook without grumbling and clean with a cheerful heart. This is not always easy. And God is not asking us to fake our feelings. Rather, Christ’s call to love others above ourselves invites us to conduct an honest evaluation of our heart and lean upon His strength to serve even when we don’t feel like it. In our weakness, we are strong because He is with us (2 Corinthians 12:9–11). In the regular rhythm of serving our families at meal time, we are exemplifying Christ’s servant-hearted love. 

So too, meal times provide an opportunity to invite kids to serve the family alongside us. Kids can help set the table, cook, or clean up after dinner. The cooking process may take a little longer—or you may have to follow behind them as they “clean” the dishes. However, these inconveniences are well worth what you are teaching them. As they participate in family dinner, they learn the blessing of serving others as Christ has served them.

A Habit Of Prayer

Meal times provide a beautiful opportunity to stop and reflect upon God’s goodness and to thank Him for the provision He blesses us with everyday. You may not realize it, but as you pray over your dinner, your kids are learning how to pray. This daily habit of speaking to God will become a training ground for your children’s own prayer lives. They are listening.  With this knowledge, we can allow our dinner time prayers to be places where we not only thank God for our food, but where we ask for His help, share with Him how we are feeling, or pray over one another's needs. As kids grow more in tune with the habit of dinnertime prayers, you can invite them to pray for dinner as well. This helps them gain hands-on experience for how they can talk to God themselves. We don’t have to make our prayers fancy. We can come, just as we are, to God’s throne. He accepts us willingly. 

Intentional Conversations

Dinner provides a beautiful opportunity to fellowship with one another around the table. Here, you can catch up on your days, share laughs, and even create your own traditions. Some may choose to ask a silly question at dinner, while others may choose to read a Bible verse or story together and discuss. The opportunities for intentional conversation are truly endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Share a high (best part of your day), a low (something difficult about your day), and a “buffalo” (something silly that happened) together as a family. This activity helps everyone get comfortable sharing their lives with one another. It also provides a peek into your kids day, so that you can pray with them or help them process whatever they’re facing.

• Read a Bible story at dinner together and discuss what you’ve learned as a family.

• Ask “What did you learn about God today?” or “How did you see God working today?” These questions will likely require mom and dad to go first so that you can help your kids recognize God moving. Over time, kids will be able to see meeting a new friend, seeing a beautiful sunset, or a healing boo-boo as God at work. 

What if one day your kids look back on your family dinner routine and reminisce in the same way that I reminisce about my grandpa? It was in watching his active faith that my own faith began to take root. So too, your children’s faith could take root in the daily rhythm of dinner. God can use everything—everything!—for His glory. In God’s kindness, He has given a great purpose to the mundane. Even here, in the regular cadence of our everyday lives, we can worship Him. 

Author Bio:

Katie is a Staff Writer at The Daily Grace Co. She lives in Surf City, North Carolina with her husband and three kids. She is passionate about helping women see God’s faithfulness woven through the whole story of Scripture—and how that same faithfulness meets them personally in their everyday lives. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her exploring the beaches of her coastal town or enjoying a cup of locally brewed coffee with friends.

Additional Resources for Discipling Your Family:

Craving Community | A Bible Study on Friendship		All About Jesus | A Family Devotional		Theology For Me: Big Truths to Grow Your Faith Bundle		Christ-Centered Family
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