Table Talk: Dinner’s On Me Week Four
DINNER’S ON ME: Our Place at Jesus’s Table
Here’s a short description of our current sermon series.
We will journey through the Gospel of Luke, exploring the profound significance of meals in Jesus' ministry. More than just moments of sustenance, these shared tables became powerful settings for divine encounters, transformative teachings, and radical grace. From dining with outcasts to revealing his resurrected presence, Jesus consistently used meals to break down barriers, challenge societal norms, and demonstrate the heart of God. Through these stories, we'll discover how Jesus' invitations to the table reveal his heart for the marginalized, his commitment to meeting both physical and spiritual needs, and his desire for intimate fellowship. This series invites us to reconsider our own tables, prompting us to ask: How can we extend radical hospitality, engage in meaningful conversations, recognize the presence of Jesus in our midst, and bear his presence to others? We’ll discover together how these ancient meals can transform our understanding of grace, service, and the very nature of God's kingdom.
Spiritual Practice: Meaningful Meals
We believe that Jesus’ teaching is more than just knowledge for our minds (though it is certainly that). It should transform our actions. By living out - or practicing - the ways of Jesus, we are being shaped into a people who look more and more like Him.
Gathering around the table is a consistent and significant practice from some of the first pages of Scripture to some of the last. But in our hurried, busy lives, meals can become something we squeeze in between activities or quickly check off our list. How would it change our family relationships, friendships, communities, and inner lives if we saw meals through the eyes of God? What if we took time to recognize God’s gift to us in both the provision of food and the provision of community? This summer, we want to grow in the practice of Meaningful Meals. Here are some ways to start, or deepen, this practice:
Gather: Increase the amount of time you spend gathered around the table. If you rarely eat with your family, friends, or small group, begin by scheduling one meal per week when you will intentionally sit down to eat with others. If you are already doing this, try increasing the number of times you gather with others to eat.
Set aside distractions: Put away phones. Turn off the tv. Remove whatever distractions you can. Take this time to be present with one another and open to God’s goodness and blessing.
Thank God together: Take a few moments at the beginning of your meal to thank God for his provision, and ask Him to help you see the time together through His eyes. You could allow each person to share a way God blessed them that day.
Listen to one another: Cultivate meaningful conversations. Take your time to really listen without rushing to the next activity. If you need some conversation starters, you could use those listed in this guide for each week, or there are a multitude of mealtime conversation starters available online.
BONUS PRACTICE: Invite others: Ask a friend, relative, co-worker, or acquaintance to join your family/group for a meal.
Prayer
You can pray this prayer daily during the sermon series, or use it as a closing for table conversations each week.
Jesus, You came to show us how to live a full and abundant life. We are created with bodies that need to be fed and with souls that need to connect with You and with others. Jesus, You took time to gather around the table with friends, outcasts, and seekers, to connect deeply with them and to show them your love. Help us to see one another through Your eyes and to pour out on one another the same love that You have freely given to us. Transform our understanding of grace, service, and Your Kingdom through the experience of gathering around the table together. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
SERMON SUMMARY Jesus shared a close friendship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, finding joy in their company. Martha, a gracious host, diligently prepared a meal for Jesus. Her frustration with Mary's choice to sit and listen to Jesus prompted a gentle rebuke. Jesus' concern wasn't with Martha's work, but with her missing the purpose of that work: spending time with him. Jesus emphasized the value of being present in his presence and being truly present with those we serve. How does this redefine our understanding of service?
Conversation Starters
KIDS We can listen to Jesus by reading our Bible, obeying what we know He wants us to do, and by listening to Him when we pray. Why do you think listening to Jesus is so important?
STUDENTS We are all different. Some of us prefer to be busy and active. Others like to sit and talk. Some are quiet and do more listening. We know that God has made each of us uniquely and He doesn’t make mistakes. Do you think Mary and Martha had different personalities and preferences? If Martha’s personality or preference wasn’t the problem, what was? Have you ever done something “good” but forgotten who you were doing it for? Have you ever treated a task as more important than a person? Do you tend to prioritize spending time with God and others, or getting tasks done? (Or something else?)
ADULTS There are an endless number of good things for us to do each day. But Jesus makes it clear that time spent in His presence is the very best “good thing”. Is it easier or harder for you to prioritize spending time with Jesus? Why? What practices help you to feel closest to Jesus? How does our service toward others change when we are filled up with Christ?
