Turn Dinner Into Discipleship With Your Kids: 9 Simple Tips

As a mom, you wear a lot of hats. You’re a chef, a teacher, a nurse, a chauffeur, and so much more. It can be tough to find time to fit it all in, but one thing you can’t afford to skimp on is quality time with your kids. It’s so important that we really do lean into our call to teach and lead our children. That’s why we’ve come up with a way for you to kill two birds with one stone: turn dinner into discipleship time with your kids!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Choose a topic ahead of time and do some research.

This will help the conversation flow more smoothly and prevent awkward pauses. There’s nothing better than feeling prepared for whatever questions may come up. It’s also okay to not have all the answers. You can always look things up together or use those questions for another discipleship conversation after you’ve done some research.

2. Make sure everyone has a chance to talk.

Go around the table and have each person share something about their day and their thoughts on this topic. You may be surprised at what your kids have to say! It’s so important to make sure everyone at the table has a chance to share so they feel seen and heard and so you can gauge where their understanding is.

3. Keep things light and fun.

This is meant to be a bonding experience, not a lecture! Be sure to keep the mood light and friendly. You want your kids to walk away from this time feeling good about themselves and their relationship with God, not feeling guilty or discouraged.

4. Ask questions that require more than a one-word answer.

This will encourage thoughtful conversations and help you get to know your kids on a deeper level. Try to avoid yes or no questions, and instead ask open-ended questions that really make your kids think.

5. Take advantage of teachable moments.

If there’s an opportunity to share Christ-centered wisdom, don’t hesitate to seize it! These moments can be found in everyday life, so always be on the lookout for them. This is a great way to share your testimony of how God worked in your life too.

6. Pray together before meals, and encourage your kids to pray too.

This is a great way to model humility and dependence on God. We always mix up who prays at dinner. Sometimes it’s my husband, sometimes it’s the boys, and sometimes it’s me. This helps our kids see that praying is something that everyone does and that it’s not just for grown-ups.

7. Don’t be afraid to have tough conversations.

It’s so important to talk about hard topics with our kids, even if it feels uncomfortable. This is a great opportunity to address things like peer pressure, bullying, and other difficult issues they may be facing. It’s also important to talk about current events in the world and how we can pray for those affected. We can talk about how to handle these tougher topics in a God-honoring way versus the world’s way.

8. Be patient and flexible.

Some nights the conversation will flow effortlessly, while other nights it will be stilted and awkward. No matter what, keep your focus on Jesus, and remember that this is an opportunity to grow closer to your children in His name.

9. Have fun!

This should be a time for you to enjoy being with your kids and getting to know them better as they do the same with you. So relax, be yourself, and have fun!

Instead of just eating dinner together, use dinnertime as an opportunity to disciple your kids! By investing in their spiritual growth, you’re laying the foundation for them to become strong Christians who are able to weather any storm life throws their way. So go ahead and give it a try—we think you’ll be surprised at how much fun it can be!