I was blessed to be able to attend private, Christian school my entire life. It was a grace from God to have godly teachers poor not only my education, but also my spiritual walk.

However, just because I attended a Christian school did not automatically mean I was with peers who were being raised in the same manner that I was.

I remember very vividly when I was still in elementary school– probably around eleven or twelve– having a conversation with my group of friends about their family dinners.

I had made some comment that I was unavailable to participate in some kind of activity since I had to be at the dinner table.

I remember being taken aback that I was the only one in my group of friends that not only had dinner with my parents, but also had intelligent conversations with them.

Now, the research is out on family dinners.

The benefits of family meals for children is undeniable. Children who eat family dinners are:

• less likely to become obese or struggle with weight,
• more likely to eat well-balanced meals,
• less likely to engage in marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco use,
• more likely to have better self-esteem,
• more likely to have higher grades in school,
• more likely to have larger vocabularies and better communication skills,
• show fewer symptoms of depression,
• less likely to struggle with eating disorders,
• less likely to experience teen pregnancy, and much more.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

From a secular perspective, having regular family dinners seems like a good idea.

From a spiritual perspective, having regular family dinners should be a nonnegotiable for your family.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-7, the people of Israel are instructed,

“Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!

You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

As parents, we have the God-given duty and responsibility to disciple our children– to mold their souls.

Back in 2021, the American College of Pediatricians acknowledged that the dinner table is where communication and bonding happen more naturally between parents and children.

The casualness of sharing a good meal while talking about the highlights and low points of your day brings out a sense of community and belonging that is invaluable to children.

More specifically, discipleship is happening at your dinner table.

I remember well the time that I spent at my dinner table growing up. In fact, the conversations that took place at that table were directly involved in shaping me into who I am today.

It was at that dinner table that I asked some of the most intense theological questions to my dad– seeking answers on what I believe and why I believe it.

In a very real way, I became a stronger and more confident believer because of my parents’ dinner table.

It was at that dinner table that I rehashed by first date with my now husband to my parents– getting wisdom and advice on how to best present myself in dating as a godly woman.

It was at that dinner table that I truly experienced some of the most profound discipleship from my parents.

If you are a family that struggles with family dinners– maybe it was never your experience growing up or your schedule just feels too full to implement them– may I encourage you to prioritize this priceless time with your children.

The time with our children is short and the habits that we prioritize will not only shape their lives, but will also shape the lives of generations to come.

Be intentional about the discipleship of your children, and don’t skip family dinner.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob
And set a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers
That they should teach them to their children,

That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,
That they may arise and recount them to their children,

That they should set their confidence in God
And not forget the deeds of God,
But observe His commandments.” (Ps. 78:5-7, LSB)