Get Them Talking: Discussion starters for families

Get Them Talking is a series of resources to help families start conversations about faith during dinner, devotions or anytime.

Each month, we highlight a relevant topic and offer a Bible passage, a short reflection, some starter questions, a prayer, and an activity to help live into what we talk about.

Imagine what your family will learn about God, the church, and each other when you get them talking!

Is there a topic you would like us to include as a devotional? Let us know.
The first Get Them Talking discussion starter was posted in January 2019 with new devotionals added in 2021.

Get Them Talking: Generosity

Let's talk about generosity. As Christians, we believe that all we have is a gift from God. Being grateful makes it easier to be a cheerful giver.

Get Them Talking: One of a Kind

The Bible tells us that differences are God's design. Let's talk about and celebrate our diversity - and uniqueness - as God's children.

Get Them Talking: Trust

In the same way that we demonstrate our trust in parents and teachers by doing what they ask of us, we show our trust in God by following God’s way.

'In the world, you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.' John 16:33

Get Them Talking: Be encouraged

Hard things happen to all of us. Let's talk about how knowing that God is in control can encourage us even during difficult times.

In the June 2021 edition of "Get Them Talking," we thank God for our church and the connection we feel with one another. Photo of Oakdale United Methodist Church near Deshler, Ohio, by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Get Them Talking: Growing

Some growth happens automatically. Other growth takes attention and practice. Chat with your family about ways we can grow as followers of Jesus.

Dear God, fill us with grateful hearts that want to celebrate! Amen! Canva photo illustration by Crystal Caviness.

Get Them Talking: Vitality

Start a conversation with your family about the importance of being a part of a United Methodist church community where we can do more together than by ourselves.

Get Them Talking: Celebrate!

There are times to be serious and times to celebrate! Chat with your family about how we can celebrate one another.

The Bible tells us to build each other up. (Thessalonians 5:11) We thank God for the people in our lives, both nearby and at a distance, who encourage us. Photo from Casa Linda United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas, USA, 2018, courtesy of United Methodist Communications with Canva design.

Get Them Talking: Connected

Good connections to God and others build us up. The Bible teaches us to have—and be—good friends.

Dear God, give me a heart to be a helper. Amen. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News; Canva image designed by Crystal Caviness, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Helping others

Missions can be as simple as helping the person next to you. Talk together about how we serve God by serving others.

One way to allow God to transform us is to look to God for guidance in everything. Image designed in Canva for United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: I'm sorry

Everyone makes mistakes. When that happens, Jesus tells us to make it right, which often starts with the words, “I’m sorry.”

Get Them Talking: Transform

What would you like to do differently this year? One way to allow God to transform us is to look to God for guidance in everything.

Mary said yes to God. Have a family conversation to talk about how each member will say yes to God in the year to come. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Promise

When the angel asked her, Mary said yes to God's promise. Start a family conversation to talk about how each member will say yes to God in the year to come.

There are many ways to express thanksgiving. Scripture, prayer and questions will help get your family talking about an attitude of gratitude. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Gratitude

There are many ways to express thanksgiving. Scripture, prayer and some questions will help get your family talking about adopting an attitude of gratitude.

Get Them Talking: Holiness

Read a scripture passage. Discuss some questions. Pray together. Find ways your family can help one another be more holy.

Chat as a family about how to handle tasks we wish we didn’t have to do, and how we should always try our best, as if we’re doing it for God. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Work

Let's chat as a family about handling tasks we wish we didn’t have to do, and how we should always try our best, as if we’re doing it for God.

Get Them Talking: Rest

When life gets busy, we are tempted to go, go, go. Stop for a moment with your family to talk about how God designed us with a need for rest.

The Earth is God’s gift to us and God asks us to care for it. Get your family into a conversation about the beauty of our world, and our place in it. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Creation

The Earth is God’s gift to us and God asks us to care for it. Gather your family to discuss the beauty of the world, and our place in it.

God gives us friends because we are stronger together. Celebrate your friends as a family. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Friends

Our friends support us and celebrate with us. Spend some time talking with your family about having good friends and being a good friend.

Our family members are the people who know and love us best. Use these helps to talk together and thank God together for the gift of your family during Christian Home Month. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Family

Our family members are the people who know and love us best. Talk together and thank God together for the gift of your family.

Celebrate joy with your family. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Joy

At Christians, we celebrate the joy of the Lord. Have a family chat about how faith shapes the happy times in your family.

Use these ideas to start a conversation with your family about being forgiven and forgiving others. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Forgiveness

Those whom God forgives are called to be forgiving. Use these ideas to start a family talk about forgiving others.

Get your family talking about love with this discussion starter. Caring for others is a way of showing them how much God loves us. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Love

One of the ways we show our love for Jesus is in caring for others in the same way that God loves us.

The Bible teaches that being kind to others is one of the ways we can express our love for God. Image by Sara Schork, United Methodist Communications.

Get Them Talking: Kindness

In a world where people are not always nice to one another, we remember that being kind is a way of serving God.