Search

Cooperation

Cooperation > Hands-on options > Cooperative meal

Cooperative meal

Fun with food

Pair up at the dinner table and tie each person’s hand to another person’s hand. No one gets to eat unless they can truly cooperate!

This is a meal you won’t forget! When your family arrives at the dinner table, pair them up as “eating partners.” Take strips of soft cloth and tie the partners’ wrists together, then instruct each pair that they will need to communicate and cooperate to eat their meal successfully. (Depending on the ages and maturity of your children, you may prefer to try this at snack time or over dessert, or plan to serve finger foods only.)

If you have an odd number of people in your family, take turns partnering up. Each person may only use their tied hand to eat; the other hand must remain on their lap or tucked in a pocket.

Pray prior to eating, asking God to send His Spirit to give you love, peace and joy as you eat together.

During your meal, read your choice of the verses provided below, and use the discussion questions to create more dialogue on cooperation and the importance of relying on God for help in situations where there is potential for friction.

Questions for discussion
  • How did you feel when you were trying to put food in your mouth, but you had to allow your hand to feed the other person instead?
  • Was this a fun way to eat or do you prefer eating on your own?
  • What was the funniest thing that happened to you?
  • Did you ever feel frustrated or angry?
  • If so, how did you handle the problem?
  • We had to depend on each other in order to eat. How else do family members rely on each other?
Key concepts

The cooperative eating effort reminds us that is easy to get frustrated or angry when we are required to coordinate efforts. The Bible gives us a lot of valuable advice regarding these kinds of situations: stay under control, keep your cool, be quick to listen and slow to speak, speak gently, be willing to put the needs of others before your own, put up with each other and forgive readily! God gives us His Holy Spirit to create unity.

Relevant Scripture

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

Proverbs 29:11 “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

View full lesson Download the lesson PDF Download the planning tools Read the parents' prayer Read the parents' guide
Browse lesson contents
Change lesson
Back to top