Month: October 2022

A Proverb a Day Keeps the Problems Away

By Janelle Pollard

The book of Proverbs has an abundance of helpful life advice. And conveniently, there are 31 chapters..perfect for one each day of the month! (And on short months, we can double up on some days). This is also a great start for those who are trying to make daily Bible reading a consistent habit. Instead of just checking off a to-do list each time a chapter is read, there are many benefits of reading and re-reading to really soak up all that is being said. Distractions aside, find a comfortable place and pray for guidance and wisdom. Ask that God will help you to apply what you are reading to your own life, as He would have you. Take notes, highlight, and really get into and I believe you will find that your love for the Bible and God will grow and grow.

Some of my favorite verses from the book of Proverbs:

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”

Proverbs 3:13-14

“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.”

Proverbs 16:21

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”

Proverbs 4:13

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

Proverbs 4:25

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Proverbs 12:25

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Proverbs 16:7

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

15 Fellowship Ideas

By Janelle Pollard

Not that I don’t love a good home-cooked meal with people I love, but sometimes it’s nice to mix things up. Many congregations have a regularly scheduled fellowship meal, but sometimes it’s beneficial to plan other types of activities. Spending time together as a church family has many benefits. We will be able to learn more about each other and lead to closer and deeper friendships, one of the many benefits for which the church was designed. If your congregation has become stagnant in one way or another, these activities and more like them will undoubtedly benefit everyone. 

Finding and being a part of these types of fellowship is good (and needed) for us as Christians. This also sets an example for the children in the congregation of how active and involved we should all be. If you have children, show them that being at every activity is a priority and they will be able to see what matters most in life by the standard placed in front of them 

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  -Proverbs 22:6

Here are some activities and ideas to try:

  1. Make of list of shut-ins and take baked goods to them. (If there are many on the list, assign groups, and divide and conquer!)
  2. Take the youth group to the nursing home (if they’re allowing visitors at this time) and sing church songs to them.
  3. Have a monthly craft night for women. (Bonus: take the crafts to the shut-ins as a gift!)
  4. Family picnic at the park
  5. Church league softball (if this is an option in your area)- the world needs to see Christians with good sportsmanship!
  6. Trunk of Treat (this one has become a fall staple at many congregations)
  7. Christmas ornament exchange (white elephant style?)
  8. Secret sister program
  9. Sporting event (ex. minor league baseball game)
  10. Family camping & canoe weekeng trip (or ski trip)
  11. Monthly or weekly family spotlight
    -Have a bulletin board for this- display photos of each family member with a few fun facts about each
    -Another option- mystery spotlight- don’t display the name & photo and have members guess who the person of the week is
  12. Widow’s Dinner (have the youth plan a dinner for the widows of the congregation and have them serve their dinner- this will likely mean a lot to them!)
  13. Community Heroes Cookout
    -Invite local police officers, firefighters, etc. to a church cookout as a thank you for their service.
    -Advertise on social media and with banners, etc.
    -This is a great way to get contacts for Bible studies and get the church’s name out there in the community.
  14. Work day
    -Help the one who cleans the building by going the extra mile to clean the building
    -Plant flowers/update landscaping
    -Update bulletin boards
    -Clean out classrooms
  15. Monthly singing and game night

-Ask for volunteers for members to open their home for this (different home each month).

-Guests can bring finger foods so the host doesn’t have to provide the meal. 

-Game examples: card games, board games, yard games (corn hole, volleyball, horseshoes, etc.)

-Ask boys in the youth group to lead singing, which will give them experience of serving if they’re nervous in front of the whole congregation!