Real Conversations, Real Faith: Introducing The Kitchen Table Gospel

If you’ve spent any time with me, you know I’m passionate about relational evangelism and discipleship. In a world where many people are skeptical of organized religion, genuine, personal connections are often the most powerful way to rebuild trust and share the hope of the Gospel. When we look at the life of Jesus, it’s clear—He met people where they were: around dinner tables, by a well, on the road. That’s where lives were changed.

That same spirit is at the heart of my new book, The Kitchen Table Gospel. It’s a practical and heartfelt guide to sharing your faith with the people you love most—right where they are. In this article, I’m sharing the Prologue to give you a taste of what it means to leave a legacy of faith in everyday conversations. If you’ve ever longed to talk about Jesus with family and friends in a more natural, meaningful way, I pray this book will encourage and equip you. You’ll find a link at the end to get your copy and start your journey.

Prologue

The Kitchen Table Gospel

Growing up, it seemed like everything important happened at the kitchen table. It was where we gathered for meals, where my parents sorted through bills, and where homework got done, sometimes with a little frustration, sometimes with a lot of laughter. It was where real conversations happened, the kind that stuck with you long after you left the table.

No matter how busy or unpredictable life got, the kitchen table was where everything came back together. It wasn’t just a piece of furniture; it was a sacred space and time, a holy ground in the middle of everyday life.

In the summertime, I’d travel to West Virginia to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a whole bunch of cousins in and around Kenova. I have vivid memories of my Grandma Dean sitting at her kitchen table every day, reading her Bible. She’d look up, smile, and remind me that God had great things planned for my life. She shared more wisdom at that kitchen table than a dozen sermons ever could. Those moments served up encouragement by the bowlful. Prayers were lifted before every meal. Jesus was worshipped in everyday conversation. And some of life’s biggest questions were answered there, sometimes between bites of mashed potatoes.

What I didn’t realize then was that my Grandma Dean wasn’t just feeding our bellies; she was feeding our spirits.

Grandma taught me that Jesus isn’t just for church. He’s with us every day. And as a boy, it seemed to me that He showed up most clearly around the kitchen table. The Gospel, she’d say, isn’t just something we believe. It’s something we live, something we pass down like a good family recipe. And like a good recipe, it’s meant to be shared freely, seasoned with grace, and passed down with love.

Those conversations shaped me, even long after childhood. They helped me see that faith isn’t meant to be confined to a pew or a Sunday morning sermon. It’s meant to be woven into the everyday moments of life. Faith is for dinner tables, front porches, and long car rides. It’s for the times we celebrate and the times we struggle.

Faith isn’t confined to the sanctuary. It shows up in the everyday stuff—while we’re clearing the dishes, folding laundry, or having one of those late-night heart-to-hearts over a cup of coffee. That’s where it really comes alive.

I wrote this book for parents and grandparents who want to pass down a living, breathing faith to the next generation. The psalmist put it this way:

“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.

Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,

your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”

Psalm 71:18 (NLT)

If you feel the same burden I do—that we must share the Gospel with our children and grandchildren while we have the chance—then this book is for you. And there’s no better place to capture their attention than the kitchen table.

But even if you didn’t grow up with that kind of legacy, if faith wasn’t passed down to you, you can start one now. The table is ready, and your voice matters. You can create your own family recipe that changes the menu for generations to come.

This book is also for pastors and church leaders looking for ways to bring faith conversations beyond the walls of the church, into homes, small groups, and everyday relationships. It’s for anyone who believes faith should be more than a list of rules or an hour on Sunday. It should be a way of life. Whether you’re leading a congregation, a classroom, or simply your own circle of friends, this book is an invitation to practice hospitality of the heart, wherever you gather.

If you’ve ever longed for faith conversations to feel as natural as a chat over coffee, you’re in the right place. Together, we’ll rediscover the beauty of simple, honest, and meaningful conversations about Jesus—the kind that happen at the kitchen table. No seminary degree required. Just a willingness to sit down at the table, slow down, and open your heart.

I truly believe that sharing the hope of Jesus doesn’t require a stage or a pulpit—it begins around our kitchen tables, in honest conversations, and in everyday moments with the people we love most. That’s the heart behind The Kitchen Table Gospel—helping you build a legacy of faith, one relationship at a time.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to read the full book. Whether you prefer to curl up with a paperback, keep a hardback on your shelf, or read on the go with an eBook, The Kitchen Table Gospel is available in all three formats.

Paperback

Hardback

eBook

Let this book be your guide to living and sharing your faith in a way that’s natural, impactful, and deeply personal. Let’s bring the Gospel home—one table, one conversation, one heart at a time.

Check out my website for more uplifting ways to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ: www.smallchurchcoaching.com