Help your families connect with each other and God's Word during the week! 

Kidology's Family Table Talkers are a reproducible tool designed to help families disconnect from tech and connect with each other and God's Word. We live in a hurried culture, families are constantly on the go, and finding time to connect with each other and God's Word is a challenge. There is no shortage of family devotional guides, but few families have (or make) the time for daily devotions.

These Table Talkers are designed to make it easier for families to connect around the meal table for meaningful conversation around a monthly theme. Every Family Table Talker includes a theme, a motto for the month, a victory verse, some goofy games, live chat discussion starters, a family challenge, and more!

How Pastor Karl introduced the Family Table Talkers in his own church:

GET READY FOR SOME GREAT FAMILY TIME!

This section contains instructions on how to use Kidology's Family Table Talkers. 

Download PDF instructions to hand out to parents.

NEW: Download the Table Talker Promo Kit!

Fold your Table Talker sheet into a standing triangle and place where it will be seen and used, ideally where you gather to eat! Its purpose is to help provide some ideas to spark thoughtful conversation, add some fun to meal times, and provide some intentional activities for the month.

NOTE: The goal is NOT to accomplish everything on the Table Talker at a single meal. It is intended to provide material to last all month long. In today’s busy culture, we don’t get many meals together as a family. Use this tool to make the ones you do share together make a difference in your family and the world!

Here is a quick overview of the elements for parents in order to explain their role and purpose:

All family members should put away or turn off their phones, tablets or whatever devices could interrupt human interaction and relational conversation at the meal time. You can say, “We’re going to engage in some ‘live chat’ right here at the table. No devices necessary.” Some discussion starters are provided, but feel free to make up your own, especially as they relate to the theme of the month.



This is a short devotional on the theme and motto of the month. Of course, feel free to expand on it with your own thoughts and input.



A memory verse is provided each month as a suggestion for the family to memorize, and yes, that means parents too. Consider some kind of fun prize for the one who learns it first. Kids love quizzing parents and it will help them learn it as well. The verse will always go with the theme and provides another opportunity for intentional guided conversation.



As you focus on the theme and motto for the month, at some meals use the Diggin’ Deeper section to explore the topic in more depth with input from God’s Word. Oh, and don’t use devices. Look these verses up in a good old fashioned print Bible. It’s good for kids to see and use a Bible to get a better understanding of God’s Word.



The Family Challenge is an opportunity for your family to challenge each other to do something BOLD and CRAZY to make a DIFFERENCE in the world! Are you up for the challenge? Determine as a family what the reward will be if you complete the challenge!



Finally, I’ll always include a bonus idea to help take the learning from the Table Talker a little farther. The goal is that what happens at the table impacts real life and fosters real change.



You can’t play with your food, but who says you can’t play at the table? A fun family game is always included to get everyone enjoying some wholesome time together. They say the family that laughs together… how does that saying end? I don’t remember, but I’m sure it was good! Materials will always be items that are easy to find around the house.

ENJOY THIS INTERVIEW WITH A FAMILY AT PASTOR KARL'S CHURCH ABOUT USING THE TABLE TALKER IN THEIR HOME:

What Others Are Saying: 

"I love these Table Talkers because they are connecting our families in a fun way. All of us are so busy even with church events and ministries, this is a way to slow down for just a few minutes at home with your family and do something that has value and meaning and have some good conversations with your children. There are some fun little game ideas as well. All the hard work has been done for us… we just have to take them and use them! Thanks Karl Bastian @ Kidology for this amazing tool!"

~ Melissa Akins

 

Are you an All Access Member of Kidology? The current Table Talker is available for FREE download to Kidology.org All Access Members. You can find the active downloads at the top of this page or under Family Devos in the Kidology Zones.

Not a member? Join Today!

You can also purchase Table Talkers in the Kidology Store. Save when you purchase a complete series!

Hi! My name is Pastor Karl Bastian. I created these Table Talkers first of all because I wanted something to get my own family to disconnect from tech around the table and to have something to help us better connect with each other and God’s Word. I hope you find it helpful to your family as well!

I’d love to hear how the Family Table Talker impacts your family meal times! I’m curious to learn about Family Challenges you complete or any other stories you might have to share!

Drop me an e-mail or send me a picture of your family with your Table Talker! Send to: karl@kidology.org

OR post a picture in our Kidology Facebook Group!