How to Lead a Dinnertime Devo
There’s something wonderful — almost sacred — about a family sitting down to share a meal. When kids are little, it happens almost without effort. But as they get older and the calendar fills with practices, games, and part-time jobs, a simple meal together becomes something you have to fight for. And that’s exactly why it’s worth it. The dinner table is one of the most natural places to shape the spiritual life of your home.
Here’s a simple way to make the most of it.
1. Pray to start
Once everyone is seated — which is often the hardest part — call the family to pause. Offer a short prayer thanking God for the food — for his answering your morning prayer “give us this day our daily bread.” He did again.
2. Ask for the HIs & LOs
During the meal, try to guide one conversation for the whole table. Consider doing “HIs & LOs” — “What is one thing that happened today that made you happy? What is one thing that felt difficult? Or made you sad?”
3. Get out the Bible
Mark the moment when you’re going to read the Bible by actually bringing it to the table. I always ask one of my kids to leave the table and go get my Bible from my desk. Over the years they’ve learned how to hold it respectfully, and they enter the dining room like it’s a big deal, because it is.
4. Read the Bible
This part takes a lot of dad discretion. You do what you can. Maybe that’s reading a whole chapter if you have a household of little Puritans, or maybe that’s just a verse. It doesn’t matter. Just read the word of God. Recite his thoughts. Tell your family something God says. If they’re younger, maybe have them repeat it. For example, I recently read Psalm 52:8–9, and I went around the table and asked the youngers each to say “I want to be an olive tree!”
5. Pray to close
You prayed to start the dinner, and now pray to close. Thank God for the moment, and repeat something from the verse you just read. Conclude dinner with a smile as you give your kids instructions on what to do next (plates in the sink, p-jams on, etc.)
The take-offs and landings in your home are so important, and you, as the dad, set the tempo. Your family doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need your presence.
Show up. Keep it simple. Stay consistent. Watch God use your dinner table.
