40 Questions to Ask at Your Thanksgiving Table
-
![Plus]()
- Updated Oct 18, 2022
We all know that Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of reflection, grace, family fun, and gratitude! Right?! But the reality is it can be a very stressful season of prepping, entertaining, cooking, cleaning, and navigating tough relationships. We all love our traditions but often dread the work that goes into making them come to life.
Intentional Conversations
One way to help make all that work to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal worthwhile is to be intentional about what the discussion looks like over this meal that many anticipate sharing together all year long. We long for connection. If we leave the table with our bellies full but our hearts feel like we missed an important chance to connect, we will not be satisfied with our holiday meal. Dinner table questions are a great effortless way to keep the conversation going!
I love bringing out questions anytime I’m with friends or family at the table. It’s the perfect chance to learn something new about each other, express our gratitude for these special relationships, and engage in meaningful conversation. Take the time to pull out your phone at the table or even print these great conversation starters out to help your family deepen their discussion this holiday.
40 Questions to Ask This Thanksgiving
1. Which item prepared today is your favorite?
2. What do you enjoy most about Thanksgiving?
3. Do you have a favorite holiday movie?
4. Let’s share one holiday memory that stands out in your mind.
5. How have you changed over the course of this year?
6. What are some highlights from this year?
7. List three things you are thankful for.
8. What are your favorite holiday desserts?
9. Did you have a favorite vacation memory that you are thankful for from this year?
10. Is there one way you could take time to serve someone else this holiday season?
11. Who are some people that you feel extra thankful for this year?
12. Has God taught you something new this year? How did you learn this God-given lesson?
13. Why do you think it’s hard to maintain a grateful attitude?
14. How can you practice being thankful this holiday season?
15. What has God done in your life that you are most thankful for?
16. How can you express gratitude to your family members?
17. How can you show gratitude to your friends?
18. What would you be more thankful for right now: more time, more money, or more sleep?
19. What about the Fall season brings you joy?
20. How is God growing you in your faith right now?
21. Share one kind thing about everyone that is sitting around this table.
22. Share what you feel are your strengths.
23. What places are you most thankful for?
24. What about nature inspires the most awe in your heart?
25. How can you give with more intentionality this year?
26. What can you do to show the love of Christ to the “least of these” in our community this year?
27. What are your favorite verses that speak about gratitude from the Bible?
28. What attributes of the Lord are you most thankful for?
29. Has there been a blessing from this year that most surprised you?
30. What trials are you thankful for in your life?
31. How can you model gratitude to others in your daily life?
32. Does your prayer life affect your ability to live with more gratitude?
33. What song has spoken to your heart most this year?
34. How have you been blessed and challenged in your workplace?
35. Do you have goals that you would like to meet in this next season?
36. What routines are you most grateful for in your daily life?
37. Is there anything you would like to see shift in your family?
38. What prayers has God answered on your behalf this year?
39. What prayers are you still waiting for God to respond to?
40. How does the Thanksgiving holiday inspire you to live with more gratitude?
Pause to Give Thanks
Colossians 3:17 tells us, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Thanksgiving is such a great time for us to take time to give thanks to God for all he has done and is continuing to do in our lives. It’s so special to think that all across our country, people from all different walks of life are pausing with friends and family to give thanks.
It can feel stressful to celebrate, but if we let go of our desire for perfection and embrace the chance to just be together, celebrate, connect, and express our gratitude, we are much more likely to find joy in the holiday season. Grab onto the message of Thanksgiving and be intentional about making this time a chance to pause together and give thanks to the Lord for all he has done in your lives. God’s goodness becomes so much more evident to us when we pause to recount the ways he has blessed us.
Related Resource:
Join Rob & Joanna Teigen on the FREE Growing Home Together Podcast each week, where they talk about what makes a strong marriage and wisdom in parenting. We share uplifting advice and practical tools to help you grow closer to God and each other in every season of life. Listen to their episode on helping your kids make their faith their own, with Ray Pritchard:
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AlexRaths
