One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters: A Daily Family Devotional with 365 Opportunities to Grow Closer to God as a Family

by Nancy Guthrie

Getting the kids to turn off the TV and video games is challenge enough―let alone gathering as a family to read and discuss the Bible! One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters helps families start where they are already gathered together on a daily basis―around the dinner table. As the meal comes to a close, family members can take turns turning to the dinner-table devotion for that day, designed to be done together as a family in 10 to 15 minutes. The result is a meaningful daily discussion in which every family member can participate, drawing the whole family closer to God . . . and each other.

Genres: Devotional, Parenting, Christian, Faith, Childrens, Family, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2008

About the author

Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband host Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good devotional mostly for begininers. A little disappointing that there is no devotion for Februrary 29 Leap Year Day.

[Elizabeth Aucoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book for topical studies, good for middle school ages. We used it to guide bible studies for middle schoolers and the stories were helpful to connect important biblical truths to real life. Might be helpful to use the questions and add/exchange one or two more.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not a fan of personal devotions, preferring to read/study scripture, I do find them helpful to get our whole family in the Word together. This has been the best family devotional we have used to date. Each day includes a scripture reading, devotion and discussion starters. We all enjoyed participating (7 & 12 year old) and it worked really well to transition from our evening meal to devotions.

There were a couple times we didn’t understand what the author was trying to drive at with the discussion questions. And there were a couple times when we thought the scripture and devotion were a mismatch, but that led to great discussion so it was a win + about 4 meh out of 365 isn’t too shabby.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been using this with our family for the past year, and I really like it! It is brief but deep, and it engages everyone in the conversation. It’s scripturally strong and sound, but not boring. It’s perfect for this stage of life when family dinners are shorter and engagement time even more precious!! Highly recommend!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't normally go for this sort of thing, and the cover design is atrocious, but these are fantastic devotions. The readings are substantive and the discussion prompts are deep, enough for adults to have good conversation, but over the head for little kids. It helps to already have some working theology to start from when discussing.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’re working through this book as a family each day after dinner for 5/10 mins…it’s not aimed at younger kids and it doesn’t seem aimed at families where the kids aren’t yet Christians so it does require some adapting at times.

It’s also American so some phrases (along with the ‘Christianese’) need adapting.

Some days we just don’t do it as it’s focused too much on believers already.

Saying that, it has sparked some discussions and is a good starting point but I’d love to see (or write) a version that’s aimed at families where only the parents believe.

If you’re kids are maybe 9/10+ and are all believers then this is a great resource. If you have no other resource but this, it’s a starting point.

I just might consider writing a version that’s aimed at families with younger kids who aren’t all Christians.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that this Dinner Table Devotions has been the best family devotions book I have come across. The readings have a great message followed with the discussion questions which you read, discuss and reflect on. The scriptures on the side of the pages that go along with that evening's devotions were easy to understand after reading the devotion and the discussion questions. Seriously, this book is highly recommended. PS--You don't need a family to dive into this book. You can read it by yourself and I think it's still a great tool/book to have.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have four boys ages 6-12. No, we didn’t read this every evening, but it has been a nice resource to have and it’s just the right amount for the attention spans we are dealing with. Though we don’t use it every night, it has been the only devotional that we have stuck with. Sometimes we make our own questions up for the boys, but it’s mainly a conversation starter rather than a quiz. I would recommend it if you’re looking for something that’s actually doable and not overwhelming.

[Teresa]

Did not read the whole book but used it for family devotions for a while. Seems aimed at getting older kids to talk with you, rather than actually teaching them about God. Hubby and I agreed this is not for us. Might be ok if you have teenagers with a solid biblical foundation and you just struggle to pull them out of their shell.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. Each day starts with a few Bible verses on a theme and then a very brief summary of that theme, ending up with two or three thought-provoking questions for discussion. Our family enjoyed going through it and sparking those conversations. I appreciated the clarity and the Reformed perspective.

[Josh Westerlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too "young" for my family, and regularly draws verses out of context for the sake of Ms Guthrie's devotional topic.

I'd say this is worth while to a max age of 11-12. Still, we finished it, and it prompted some quality family conversations.

[Megan Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took 18 months to get through but we did it! Loved the discussion questions at the end to help spark thinking and further conversation. Best used for a family with older kids (ages 10 plus) in my personal opinion.

[Loraena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best devotional for families we’ve tried.

[Lindsey Sieders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the best family devotion we have worked through as a family. Great discussions!

[Gregory Cantley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great year of devotions!!!

Great book for challenging the family to get closer to Jesus Christ. Everyone should read it with their family at dinner.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one! It's good for a variety of ages. We've gone through it twice , and I'm sure I'll pull it out in a couple years again .

[Carol Muleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found reading from this book to be a wonderful conversation starter at mealtime. It can also ensure consistent reinforcement of your spiritual values if this book is applicable to your faith.

[TS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Family Devotions