I gave this lecture to CGG’s Speech Club on November 22, 2025.
Presenting Tabletopics
INTRODUCTION When I was younger, and even before my time, Sunday morning on television was devoted to two things: 1) televangelism and 2) serious news programs. That is still the case today, at least on the legacy network stations and some cable news networks like CNN and MSNBC. The news shows are often copies of “Meet the Press,” each with its own famous host and well-known panelists, usually journalists and politicians. The host would ask them questions about current events, politics, social trends, and so on.
SPS We have an analog to such programs in Tabletopics, where the Topicsmaster is the host, and the club members are the panelists. The host’s job is to elicit answers from the panelists, asking probing, insightful questions to inform and entertain the audience—and just perhaps discover viable solutions to problems. While solving the world’s problems is not the Topicsmaster’s job, it is amazing to draw out and see the wisdom present in a random group of men.
Tabletopics has two goals: 1) to give the Topicsmaster the experience of crafting and asking engaging questions and keeping the discussion moving, and 2) to teach club members how to conceive and organize brief, cogent answers to the questions on their feet. We will take the second point first.
Everyone should participate in Tabletopics. Many are reticent to get up and give an opinion, but it is part of the training. I have been in a few clubs in which the director required everyone to give an answer. Warning: Topicsmasters are allowed to choose members at random, whether they have their hands up or not. In any case, take the opportunity to learn to think on your feet.
Also, each club member should make sure he is reading to expand his knowledge, staying abreast of news and world events, and ready to give an answer to questions asked of him (principle in I Peter 3:15).
Jump in! (On the flipside, do not hog the limelight—let others answer if you have already done so!)
In the same way, a Topicsmaster needs to be aware of the topics of the day—what people are talking about, the current controversies in society, the hot topics in culture, politics, sports, entertainment, etc. He must have his finger on the pulse of what is going on, so he can ask pertinent questions that club members already have some exposure to if they have been paying attention for half a minute.
A few things to avoid:
- Do not ask any questions that are so esoteric and little known that no one has a clue how to answer.
- Avoid conspiracy theories and far-out speculation.
- Do not ask four or five questions all on the same topic. This also narrows who will answer.
- Do not ask all your questions about Bible topics. One is enough.
- Do not use Tabletopics to push an agenda or a way of thinking. The point is to encourage discussion that will answer the question. That is, it is not the Topicsmaster’s job to try to get a right answer from the club but only to get them on their feet and engaged in the discussion. The director will speak to the truth of the matter, if necessary.
The Topicsmaster should, in his 20 minutes, get through 4 or 5 questions. He should have 6-8 on hand just in case the early questions get little response. Have at least one follow-up question ready for each major question. For instance, if you ask, “Who is the greatest pure hitter in baseball history?” (Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki), you should have another ready: “What makes them ‘pure hitters’?” (consistent, high-quality contact, low strike-out rate, etc.). Such follow-up questions keep the session flowing, avoiding silent, stagnant, embarrassing moments.
A Topicsmaster should arrange his questions in a logical manner, starting with a warm-up question, a softball—a light, easy question that encourages engagement and many quick answers (sports, arts, or culture). The second question should be more serious or helpful (soliciting car/home repair advice or a pitch to convince someone to move to your area). The third and fourth questions should be more serious, allowing ample time for airing opinions (on matters of health, technology, politics, theology, or interpersonal relationships). If he has a few minutes left for a fifth question, he should make it another softball and get those who have not answered on their feet.
CONCLUSION Remember, as a Topicsmaster, your aim is not to solve the world’s problems but to elicit thoughtful, helpful responses to your questions from a wide variety of men in a flowing discussion that passes quickly. And as an added benefit, we all learn a little something.