Chapter 4: Surprise!

How this works

Listen to Joanne read the chapter using the audio player above, and then dive into the corresponding group discussion questions below.

Chapter 4 - Group Discussion Questions

1. How is faith part of your table life?

2. What does it mean to you to “Practice the presence of God” at your table? How can you foster this attitude?

3. Can you think of a meal you especially remember as a divine appointment?  Was it one you prepared or one you received from another?

4. Write down a list of objects you might use to place at the center of your table to symbolize something meaningful to the Christian faith experience.  How would you explain them to your guests and what questions might you ask to stimulate conversation?
   

Going Deeper

1. Start a “Taste and See” hospitality journal. Record memories (even just a paragraph) of the fellowship experience, or write out a prayer of thanks for how you experienced Christ at the meal. You’ll be amazed by how this fortifies your faith for years to come.

2. Find a “hospitality buddy” –someone who shares the faith vision of the table life you desire. Perhaps preparing a meal is easy for you, but you’d like your buddy to prepare questions and conversation topics.  Do it together.

3. Purchase a cross or other wall art for your eating area that can serve as a daily reminder of Christ’s presence.

Taste and See

Just as the experience of Christ’s presence makes all the difference in our ordinary days, the smallest hint of spice often transforms an ordinary recipe into a gourmet delight. When my friend Laurie gave me this recipe, she said, “The secret ingredient is the anise.” This is one of our favorite soups—so comforting!

Tomato Chicken Soup

• 2 tablespoons butter or oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 ounces cream cheese

• 30 ounces tomato sauce

• 4 cups milk

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cubes chicken bouillon

• 1 chicken, cooked and deboned

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

• 1 teaspoon anise

• 2 zucchini, chopped

Melt butter or oil and saute onion. Stir in cream cheese. Add tomato sauce, milk, garli, bouillon, chicken, tomatoes, hot sauce and anise. Add zucchini 30 minutes before serving.

Note: Instead of using bouillon, I make a broth by simmering the chicken bones several hours. I then decrease the milk by 1 cup and add as much broth as I need to feed to crowd.