Dinner Table Discussions: Andrew Fausel

In our home, dinner time is a protected priority. That has meant making intentional choices about what we say yes to during the week, because if we do not guard dinner, it is usually the first thing to get crowded out. We have learned that meaningful connection rarely happens by accident. It takes planning, and it takes saying no to good things so we can say yes to the best ones.

At dinner, we try to keep things simple. The back half of our meal is often reserved for a short family devotional using The 24 Family Ways by Clay Clarkson. We start with a couple of open questions to get conversation flowing, read a short passage of Scripture, talk through a few follow-up questions, and close in prayer. It is intentionally interactive and light. The kids enjoy participating, and it helps faith feel woven into everyday life rather than added on.

Once a week, we also use dinner time to affirm our children. We take turns sharing specific moments from the week when we saw them live out Christlike character. Their eyes light up when they are noticed and encouraged, and it reinforces that following Jesus shows up in ordinary choices.