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Now that you know how important family meal time is, here is an idea of something you can talk about at the table…
Everyone has a high part of their day and a low part. Start a tradition as a family during meal time where you discuss everyone’s day. Have family members each share their highest point in the day, and their lowest point in the day. What emotions do they connect with each, happiness, excitement, sad, mad, frustration? Are they still upset over the low? This is a great opportunity to talk about issues happening in their lives.
This prompt will help everyone reflect on their day and identify feelings with experiences. It might be hard for children to know what to say at first, but after a few nights, they will open up and start thinking about it before they even come to the table. Just try it!
Elementary: Monthly Virtue: Uniqueness: learning more about others so you can know more about yourself
Main Point: “Learn to see what God sees, because God sees the heart.
Bible Story: 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Last but not least. We heard the story of Samuel going to find a new king from a little family. Samuel passes by all seven sons, even though they were handsome, tall, and strong. He anointed the smallest, youngest son, David. The reason was because God knew David’s heart and He knew he would honor and obey Him.
Memory Verse: There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:14
Conversation Starter: What are some ways we look at the outside of the person and not the inside? Why should we not just look at someone’s outside appearance? What could we miss by only looking on the outside? Why does God make each of unique on the outside and inside?
Preschool: Monthly Key Question: Is there anything God can’t do?
Main Point: God is big, He can do anything.
Bible Story Focus: God can do amazing things. Exodus 8:1-10:29 The children learned in the bible story about the plagues God sent on Egypt.
Memory Verse: Our Lord is great and very powerful . Psalm 147:5
Conversation Starter: What are some amazing things you have seen God do? What do you think is the coolest thing God has done? To go along with the plagues in the Bible story go on a bug hunt with your child. Talk about how awful it must have been for the people in Egypt to have the bugs everywhere. God must have been powerful to send all those bugs. Thank God for all the little bugs, and the amazing things He does everyday.
According to a recent study from NCASA, kids who regularly share meals with their parents are healthier, happier, and better students. One of the main reasons is because of the important conversation time that doesn’t usually happen between the activites, traveling, school, work, etc.
Here are some tips to create healthy communication around the dinner table:
- Create an open environment: Let kids know they can discuss anything with Mom or Dad. Never label a question as irrelevant or stupid, this will turn them off from saying anything at all. Encourage discussions the whole family, no matter age, can get involved in.
- Communicate your values: Every discussion with your child is an opportunity to model your values and faith. Explain your opinions rather than just expressing them-but avoid lecturing. Help the children see God in every part of our lives.
- Listen: Help your kids feel confident that you are truly listening by summarizing what they tell you or asking questions to clarify. Good listening skills build trust.
- Have patience: Kids are often lengthy storytellers. Don’t zone out or start to do something else while saying you are “listening”. They can see right through it. Make eye contact to let the child know they have your full attention.
I will be giving ideas on actual discussions to have around the table soon…until then have dinner with your family and talk to them. Watch how you grow together.
To go along with the high attendance in the church, we had out highest attendance in the children’s areas as well! The energy and enthusiasm were on top and I hope it continues in the children throughout the week.
Since it is a new month we have new virtues and main points.
Elementary: Monthly Virtue: Uniqueness: learning more about others so you can know more about yourself
Main Point: “God can take a nobody and make him into a somebody.”
Bible Story: Judges 6:11-7:22. God took Gideon, a nobody, and turned him into the leader of the Israelite army to beat the Midianites in a very special way.
Memory Verse: There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:14
Conversation Starter: Does God like uniqueness? Why does God want us to realize how unique and special we are?
Preschool: Monthly Key Question: Is there anything God can’t do?
Main Point: God is big, He can do anything.
Bible Story Focus: God made the universe. Psalm 104:2-3, Hebrews 1:2, 11:3
Memory Verse: Our Lord is great and very powerful . Psalm 147:5
Conversation Starter: Every child needs to know “God Made Me.” Sometime at night, go outside and talk to you child about how God made the stars, the moon, the earth, the universe, and us. This would be a great time to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
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