Table Talk
Adapted by Heather Moran from Pastor John’s message on January 30, 2011.
The table is a powerful symbol of how we are connected and how we can grow as a family and as individuals. In the Bible we see the table as the gathering place for the Last Supper, where the disciples were all together with Jesus for one last time before his betrayal. In Christianity today we have the communion table representing Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Old Testament gives us pictures of the table as well. King David talked about the Lord “preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies” in Psalm 23. David also made sure that he kept his oath to his best friend, Jonathan, as he invited Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth to dine with him at the “king’s table” after Jonathan had been killed. On Sunday Pastor John encouraged us to look at the table as being made up of four legs, each leg representing a practice of the original church that will strengthen our families today. The first leg of the table is consistent meal times together. In today’s hectic world families often feel they are unable to eat meals together, but we should make every effort to eat at least one meal together as a family. In Acts 2:46 Luke talked about the apostles “breaking bread” together on a daily basis as the early church was forming. Meals can be a time to share what has gone on during the day, to plan for future events, or simply reconnect as a family. The second leg of the Christian family table is Biblical teaching and thinking. The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” in Acts 2:42. When we are eating together at the table, we should remember that Jesus said that man does not live on bread alone, but should feed also on the word of God. We should take the opportunity to learn about God together as we are gathered around our table, whether through examining a verse of scripture or even doing a family devotion once a week. This is a prime time to teach our children that God is not reserved for Sunday mornings, but that He is to be a vital part of our everyday lives. The third leg of our table is focusing on meeting needs instead of meeting wants. In Acts 2:45, the early Christians “sold their property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Today’s society is hyper-focused on “what’s in it for me?” and “just get what you want.” As we are together around the family table we should look to find ways to shift the focus from our wants to others’ needs. Volunteering as a family at the City Mission or helping a neighbor shovel snow are ways to turn our focus from our wants to the needs of others. The fourth leg of the table is the ritual of praise and prayer. Take time to focus on the good things that have happened throughout the day, praising God for how He has worked in your life. Don’t be afraid to have an attitude of celebration when your family is praising our awesome God. Pray for specific families in our church at meal times. Perhaps take the church directory and choose a different family each night, or focus on one family over a longer period of time. The important thing is to do it together on a consistent basis; you’ll be amazed at how you will grow.
February 1, 2011
