Suggestion for Use for July Women s Ministries Meeting Fruits of the Spirit It s just not for spreading on toast in the morning. Attachment: This page is an insert for the congregation s bulletin. This page can also be printed on card stock and mailed. The attached document is in Word format and may be modified to change for your own use. Page 2: Lesson The lessons are designed to stimulate thoughts and discussion about the subject for the month. The lessons may be adjusted to the needs of a single woman, a small group of women, a large group of women and by extension, their families. Resource: Quiet Moments with God ISBN 1 56292 030 8 Page 5: Hymn This is a suggested hymn for the meeting. Take Time to be Holy Page 6: Recipe This is the suggested recipes for the meeting. Fruit with Margarita Dip. Page 7: Craft This is the supply list and instructions for a craft idea for the meeting. The craft is a To be Prayer List. Page 11: Home Visiting Idea and Table Talk idea The home visiting idea is to motivate the women to get out and visit the other women in their branches and communities so we can be stronger in our sisterly bonds. By visiting in the homes we really get to know a woman and can better access the needs of said woman. The table talk idea is an effort to bring families together at the dinner table. It is designed to open lines of communication between companions, spouses, parents and children, and siblings. It is in this effort that traditions may be built and/or strengthened. This portion is also designed to stimulate further bonding within the family and with others who may share a meal with the family. Topic ideas may range from the very simple for younger children to more complex for adult conversation and discussion. Page 1 of 11
Fruits of the Spirit It s just not for spreading on toast in the morning. Galatians 5:22 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, faith, Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. Nearly all of us face our day with a to do list. The Scriptures compel us, however, to have a to be list. While it may be important to accomplish certain tasks, engage in certain projects, or have certain encounters during a day, what is more important for eternity is the person we are throughout the day. From a to do perspective, we tend to come before the Lord and say, This is my list and this is my schedule. Please be with me, help me, and bless me. From a to be perspective, we might make these requests of the Lord: Help me to reflect Your love today. Help me to display Your joy. Help me to manifest Your peace. Help me to practice Your patience. Help me to express Your kindness. Help me to make known Your goodness. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness. Help me to show Your gentleness. Page 2 of 11
Help me to exhibit Your self control. Wishful thinking does not produce these traits, however. They come from a life lived in communication with the Lord. They are the distinguishing marks of His presence in our lives. Our tobe list, therefore, must always begin with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to inspire us and impel us toward good works. In order to express the Lord s kindness, for example, we first must see ourselves as receiving the Lord s kindness. In receiving the Lord s kindness, we become much more attuned to opportunities in which we might show His kindness to others. Being kind becomes a part of everything we do. The way we do our chores, hold our meetings, run our errands, and engage in our projects displays His kindness to those around us. When we make our to be list our top priority, the things we have to do become much more obvious and far less burdensome! How do we know if we are producing the fruits of the spirit in our lives? How do we show God s love? How do we have God s joy and peace in our lives? Why is long suffering a fruit of the Spirit? Page 3 of 11
What does gentleness and goodness look like? How do we exercise faith? What is meekness? What is temperance? When you get home put your to be list near where you pray in the mornings. Starting tomorrow pray for the things on your list and feel the blessings the Lord will shower on you. Page 4 of 11
HYMN Page 5 of 11
Recipe for the Women s Meeting Page 6 of 11
Craft Idea Supplies needed: Glossy Laminate sheets Scissors Glue Printout of Prayer List pages 1. Cut out Prayer List front and back. 2. Glue front and back together. 3. Cut laminate sheets a little larger than list. 4. Fold down paper liner 1. 5. Center item face down on adhesive. 6. Peel away liner, smoothing out air bubbles and wrinkles. 7. Repeat for the opposite side. 8. Cut excess laminate from around item. Page 7 of 11
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Help me to reflect Your love today. Help me to display Your joy. Help me to manifest Your peace. Help me to practice Your patience. Help me to express Your kindness. Help me to make known Your goodness. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness. Help me to show Your gentleness. Help me to exhibit Your selfcontrol. Help me to reflect Your love today. Help me to display Your joy. Help me to manifest Your peace. Help me to practice Your patience. Help me to express Your kindness. Help me to make known Your goodness. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness. Help me to show Your gentleness. Help me to exhibit Your selfcontrol. Help me to reflect Your love today. Help me to display Your joy. Help me to manifest Your peace. Help me to practice Your patience. Help me to express Your kindness. Help me to make known Your goodness. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness. Help me to show Your gentleness. Help me to exhibit Your selfcontrol. Help me to reflect Your love today. Help me to display Your joy. Help me to manifest Your peace. Help me to practice Your patience. Help me to express Your kindness. Help me to make known Your goodness. Help me to reveal Your faithfulness. Help me to show Your gentleness. Help me to exhibit Your selfcontrol. Page 10 of 11
Home Visiting Idea This month as you pray daily for the Lord to help you become more like Him look for opportunities for you to bear your fruit. Look for someone who could use a little kindness. Bring someone a fruit pie to share but remember to bring them some of the fruit of the Spirit also. Table Talk idea What is your favorite fruit to eat and why? Why do you think God made so many different fruits? What do you think the fruit on the tree of knowledge was like? What do you think the fruit on the tree of life in Lehi s vision tasted like? Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you wish you had more of? Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you already have? Page 11 of 11