Have you ever wondered how you could get a group of your non-Christian friends together in a non-threatening, cringe-free environment where they can genuinely and openly discuss their questions about the Christian faith? Dinner parties with a twist have been popping up all across the country in uni halls and students' houses, and are a great model that you could use on your campus.

You will need:

• A host – to invite and welcome guests, and decorate the room!
• A chef – to cook
• A speaker – a CU Guest or a fellow student
• A discussion host – either the 'host' or the speaker, whoever's better at facilitating a discussion
• Guests – Christians have to be in the minority (not more than a third)

Before:

• The CU Guest (or fellow student) should meet up with the Christians organising the dinner party: see if there is a theme for the discussion, and pray together for those coming.
• CU Guest should write a short talk for the discussion (5-7 mins). If there isn't a theme for discussion, the speaker should prepare a gospel outline.
• One of the Christian guests should prepare to share a testimony (related to the discussion topic)
• The host should prepare the venue! "Assault the senses" with good lighting and decorations, background music, a drink in hand when they arrive, and the smell of cooking from kitchen)
• Make sure the guests know that there is going to be a discussion (it's not fair to spring it on them!)

During:

• Have drinks and the main course
• Either over pudding or during tea/coffee after pudding, the discussion host explains to everyone that "we want a chance for you to ask any question you want about the Christian faith. This sounds cringey and awkward but, from my own experience it's actually great fun"
• The speaker gives their short talk now. Make sure they can make eye contact with everyone from where they're speaking
• Follow this by a testimony from a Christian (3-5mins) – this is important since the talk is often the 'theory', and the testimony shows 'it works'
• The discussion host then says "now we'd love to open it up for discussion - have you got any questions about the Christian faith/Jesus Christ?"
• When the questions start to come, the discussion host writes each question down on a slip of paper. This sets the agenda for the discussion.
• Encourage the person who asked the first question to expand on it. Then facilitate a discussion. Try and get others to share their thoughts ("that's interesting, what do other people think?").
• Chairing the discussion is important - get the Christians to share their thoughts, make sure loud folk don't dominate too much, let non-Christians chip in a lot (often you'll see them pointing out the flaws in other non-Christians' arguments).
• Go through as many of the questions as is appropriate. Finish when the going is good (30-40mins is a good length). Formally close the discussion (eg by offering tea/coffee) so people can leave if they want. Others who are really interested will continue to chat informally.

What are they like?

MJ Axelson, a Christian Union Staff Worker, talks about her experience of dialogue suppers.

I spoke at one of these dinner parties at St Andrew’s uni and 15 guests (of which 10 were non-Christians) pitched up. Some had heard about the dinners from their friends and were intrigued, and others had had their interest whetted at a previous dinner. They heard the gospel and had a chance to genuinely engage with their questions in a noncombative, informal atmosphere. Conversations went well on into the evening after the formal end, and many of them came to the CU lunchbars later in the week because of the trust built at the dinners.

The beauty of dinner parties is that they create a wonderful bridge between natural hospitality and engaging your friends with the gospel. You’re not pressuring people to make a response straight away, it’s immensely relational and authentic, and often leads to more substantial conversations about the gospel than bringing your friends along to a packaged evangelistic event. It is very easy then to invite them along to a more formal course to explore the Christian faith or to start seeker bible studies.

So go on, give it a go! Ask your Staff Worker if you need some ideas of good speakers and discussion hosts who’ll engage your friends with the gospel. And if you need to get into the habit of having your friends over for dinner before you get a speaker in, then make the most of Freshers’ week and make cooking for your friends a priority!