Peace Meal
Have you ever wondered why we eat together so much? Think about it - we often have food at gatherings, even meetings. Celebrations often center around a meal. And the reason is simple - food brings us together. When we eat together, we share a common experience, a common nourishment. If you look through the Bible, as this month’s song does, you find all kinds of examples of peace being made through the sharing of food. Peace meals happen to make peace, but they also happen to foster community so that peace is at our core, even when there is conflict.
Read It
1 Samuel 25:2-42
In this story, a man named Nabal had made David angry. David was ready to take revenge on Nabal. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, made peace by serving a meal to David. This verse is David’s words to Abigail. The full story is a hard one for young children to understand, but parents can read through it and tell a simplified version if you want to.
1 Samuel 25:35
"Then David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, “Go up to your house in peace; see, I have heeded your voice, and I have granted your petition.”"
In this story, a man named Nabal had made David angry. David was ready to take revenge on Nabal. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, made peace by serving a meal to David. This verse is David’s words to Abigail. The full story is a hard one for young children to understand, but parents can read through it and tell a simplified version if you want to.
1 Samuel 25:35
"Then David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, “Go up to your house in peace; see, I have heeded your voice, and I have granted your petition.”"
Do It
Serve a peace meal. Here are a few ideas of ways to do this:
- Invite a family that is new to you (new neighbors, new to your community, or just people you don’t know well who could use some friends) to a meal at your house.
- Serve a meal at a soup kitchen as a famiIy.
- Identify someone your family or your child is having a hard time with. Together, bake bread or another baked good for them, and as you bake it, say a prayer for God’s peace to come into the situation. Give it to them. Use your judgement on whether to tell them its purpose - the gesture may be enough.
- Story potluck: Invite a few families or individuals that you want to know better to come over for a meal. Ask each family or individual to bring a dish that has meaning for them. As you eat, take turns telling the stories that go with the food.
- Invite a family that is new to you (new neighbors, new to your community, or just people you don’t know well who could use some friends) to a meal at your house.
- Serve a meal at a soup kitchen as a famiIy.
- Identify someone your family or your child is having a hard time with. Together, bake bread or another baked good for them, and as you bake it, say a prayer for God’s peace to come into the situation. Give it to them. Use your judgement on whether to tell them its purpose - the gesture may be enough.
- Story potluck: Invite a few families or individuals that you want to know better to come over for a meal. Ask each family or individual to bring a dish that has meaning for them. As you eat, take turns telling the stories that go with the food.
Pray It
God of peace, help us to welcome others into our lives and make peace with them. Thank you for food, and for the way it helps us come together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sing It
"Peace Meal"
New World Coming by Bryan Moyer Suderman, track 3
New World Coming by Bryan Moyer Suderman, track 3
This year’s faith practices go with songs from the CD “New World Coming,” by Bryan Moyer Suderman. They work well on their own, but if you want a bonus for your family’s experience, buy a CD to listen to for the year.
