APOSTOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE
VOL. 28 NO. 6
Ladies’ Ministry Copyright Apostolic Information Service, a ministry of Indiana Bible College, PO Box 47917 Indianapolis, IN 1-800-800-0247 T. W. Massengale, Editor
Ladies’ ‘Sweet Christmas’ Object Lesson
Rocky Road. For the first representational ‘sweet Christmas’ item, use rocky road ice cream to teach about the long road that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. It might not have been a literal ‘rocky road’ to the manger, but with Mary’s pregnancy, it most definitely became metaphorically ‘rocky’ at times. Sugar Babies. Use Sugar Babies candy to represent the little baby Jesus. How exciting that the Lord humbled Himself and became a baby to be laid in a manger, and ultimately, hung on a cross for our redemption. Candy Canes. The candy cane reminds us of the staff of the shepherds and how they were busy taking care of their sheep while Jesus was being born. What a significant part in the Christmas story they played. Almond Joy. Extend the shepherd illustration further by including the angel’s proclamation of joy as well. (If you have participants in the audience who are allergic to nuts, use Mounds to illustrate that the angels proclaimed ‘mounds’ of joy!) Dove Chocolate. The dove has always been a symbol of peace. Use this chocolate to illustrate that our Prince of Peace was born. Because He was born, we can now have peace. Smarties. These candies remind us of the wise men who came to visit the Lord. Even though they were more than likely not present at the manger scene, the wise men played a vital role in the Christmas story, because they followed the star that appeared in the sky once Jesus was born. Starburst. Use this candy to remind your audience of the star that appeared to guide the wise men when Jesus was born. Just like God guided them in biblical times, He has intentions on guiding His followers today. Hershey’s Treasures®. These foil-wrapped candies represent the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. God expects us to bring the gift of our lives to Him when we commit to follow Him.
Ladies’ Ministry Calendar: - December: Don’t forget to host your ladies’ Christmas party social or Christmas tea! Let the primary focus of this event center around bringing loved ones or friends who are not saved. This can be an open door for God to use your ladies to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through fun and fellowship.
Finding the Right Name. A key element of success in any ladies’ ministry is the name of your fellowship group. Things to consider when choosing a name are: What is the identity of our group? What is our ladies’ ministry trying to achieve in our church? What is our ladies’ ministry attempting to achieve in our community? With what connotation do we want our women’s ministry to be associated? All of these questions must be asked before an appropriate name is chosen for the group. Bring these questions to your next ladies’ meeting if you are thinking of changing, or even selecting your first, ladies’ ministry name.
Resource Files for You AMA65.txt Recruiting Ladies That Shine Here’s how to be an effective women’s leader. LASA02.txt Amazing Grays! Incorporating senior adults into the realm of ministry.
IBC Perspectives Magazine If you are in ministry leadership, be sure not to miss out on an excellent publication written just for church leaders. The IBC Perspectives magazine is a 20-page color publication published monthly by Indiana Bible College. It features interviews with growing revival churches and explores the methods and programs that make them successful. It also features articles devoted to: Feature Ministry Opinions, Plainly Speaking, Columnists, World News, Apostolic News, News You Can Use, Guest Pulpit and more. To receive a free copy and subscription form, call 1-800- 8000247 or write Perspectives, P.O. Box 47917, Indianapolis, IN 46247, or e-mail:
[email protected] or visit our web page at www.apostolic.edu. Subscription cost is just $20 per year for 12 issues.
