The Key of Bonding: Dine Together
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts…” Acts 2:46 ESV.
“So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.” 1 Corinthians 11:33 NIV
This “eating together” is not unusual for some, especially with friends and coworkers. On the other hand, it is a tremendous thing for some. The hectic pace of our daily lives often makes it challenging to share a meal with our family. People take two or three jobs to provide for their families. In some families, spouses take jobs in two different shifts. The husband works the night shift while the wife works the second shift, allowing them to watch the kids at home. When was the last time some of you had dinner together with your family? For some families, it was most likely during the weekends or holidays! Dining together is an extraordinary ritual for my family. My parents always expected all four of their children to come to eat with them every day. That was a unique experience that I still treasure; our conversations, sharing moments from our daily lives, and planning for future events played a significant role in our family life. The Bible also emphasizes the value of eating together. In the ancient Jewish culture, coming to the table and eating together was a matter of spirituality. It required them to keep the Old Testament dietary laws and also maintain table etiquette by staying ceremonially clean. Without going into the details of the dietary laws of the Bible, allow me to explain why we should dine together as a family or church small group.
1) Getting to Know Each Other Food or hard liquor is somehow more appealing to people and thus brings them closer together. Food and drink can quickly connect strangers as if they were old friends. When we invite someone or go with a group to eat together, we talk. Don’t we? As we talk, we also start opening up. This process helps us learn more about one another. Knowing each other is important to bond in a relationship; thus, it fosters warmth and a sense of belonging. It also helps a new member of the group connect to the core group members. I see the invitation to the table as a genuine effort to know them personally.
2) Strengthen Communication Communication is vital in every relationship. As we come to eat together, we may discuss a wide variety of topics that interest people at the table once we get to know each other. We can ask everyone in the group for their opinions on specific topics or engage in casual conversations. Next, getting to know each other fosters greater openness and facilitates communication about one’s well-being. When we listen to each other or show interest in someone’s story, it demonstrates that the person is valued and his or her ideas or opinions matter in the group or family. Honest communication can be very meaningful in strengthening the relationship in a family or church small group. When we are open to talking, we can express ourselves and accordingly plan things for the best interest of the group. Eating together now means we are not merely communicating ideas at the table but also learning from each other simultaneously. This process can be a unifying experience for all involved members of the small group.
| Eating together can be a head start to beginning to know someone and garner a relationship that is built on trust and carried on by honest communication, which promotes sharing. |
3) Strengthen Relationships Eating together can set a tone for carrying out meaningful conversations. Opening up and communicating graciously and honestly builds up each other and overcomes divisions and rifts that ever existed. It brings healing to broken hearts and renews and strengthens relationships. Eating together just gives you a sense of intimacy. To feel grateful and accepted in the group is to trust its members. In this sense, we hold each other accountable.
4) Promote Sharing Ministry is teamwork. Any group that maintains a healthy relationship with group members and communicates effectively and clearly will most likely succeed in the mission or ministry. Sharing requires each other’s trust in the group. Without having known each other and bonded with group members, people cannot merely share their lives, issues, struggles, or anything personal. The level of trust in the group determines how much one is ready and open to sharing. So, you must trust the person or group you are with to share your personal life and struggles. Eating together can be a head start to beginning to know someone and garnering a relationship that is built on trust and carried on by honest communication, which promotes sharing. So, be sure to include others, as the Gospel narratives reveal that Christ is often found around the table with bread and wine.
