Diligence

Set Six Meeting 5 – Diligence

Stories and Illustrations:

“Little Corners”

from The Pansy found here: 

http://library.timelesstruths.org/texts/Stories_Worth_Rereading/Little_Corners/

Georgia Willis, who helped in the kitchen, was rubbing the knives. Somebody had been careless and let one get rusty, but Georgia rubbed with all her might, rubbed, and sang softly a little song:

“In this world of darkness, we must shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine.”*

“Why do you rub at the knives forever?” asked Mary. Mary was the cook.

“Because they are in my corner,” Georgia said, brightly. “ ‘You in your small corner,’ you know, ‘and I in mine.’ I will do the best I can; that is all I can do.”

“I would not waste my strength,” said Mary. “I know that no one will notice.”

“Jesus will,” said Georgia; and then she sang again—

“You in your small corner, and I in mine.”

“Cooking the dinner is in my corner, I suppose,” said Mary to herself. “If that child must do what she can, I suppose I must. If Jesus knows about knives, it is likely that he does about dinners.” And she took particular pains.

“Mary, the dinner was very nicely cooked today,” Miss Emma said.

“That is all due to Georgia,” said Mary, with a pleased face. Then she told about the knives.

Miss Emma was ironing ruffles; she was tired and warm. “Helen will not care whether they are fluted or not,” she said. “I will hurry them over.” But after she heard about the knives, she did her best.

“How beautifully my dress is done!” Helen said. Emma, laughing, answered, “That is owing to Georgia.” Then she told about the knives.

“No,” said Helen to her friend who urged, “I really cannot go this evening. I am going to prayer meeting; my ‘corner’ is there.”

“Your ‘corner’! What do you mean?”

Then Helen told about the knives.

“Well,” the friend said, “if you will not go with me, perhaps I will with you,” and they went to the prayer meeting.

“You helped us ever so much with the singing this evening,” their pastor said to them as they were going home. “I was afraid you would not be here.”

“It was owing to our Georgia,” said Helen. “She seemed to think she must do what she could, if it were only to clean the knives.” Then she told him the story.

“I believe I will go in here again,” said the minister, stopping before a poor little house. “I said yesterday there was no use; but I must do what I can.”

In the house a sick man was lying. Again and again the minister had called, but the invalid would not listen to him. Tonight the minister said, “I have come to tell you a little story.” Then he told him about Georgia Willis, about her knives and her little corner, and her “doing what she could.” The sick man wiped the tears from his eyes, and said, “I will find my corner, too. I will try to shine for Jesus.” And the sick man was Georgia’s father.

Jesus, looking down at her that day, said, “She hath done what she could,” and gave the blessing.

“I believe I will not go for a walk,” said Helen, hesitatingly. “I will finish that dress of mother’s; I suppose I can if I think so.”

“Why, child, are you here sewing?” her mother said. “I thought you had gone for a walk.”

“No, mother; this dress seemed to be in my ‘corner,’ so I thought I would finish it.”

“In your ‘corner’!” her mother repeated in surprise, and then Helen told about the knives. The doorbell rang, and the mother went thoughtfully to receive her pastor. “I suppose I could give more,” she said to herself, as she slowly took out the ten dollars that she had laid aside for missions. “If that poor child in the kitchen is trying to do what she can, I wonder if I am. I will make it twenty-five dollars.”

And I seemed to hear Georgia’s guardian angel say to another angel, “Georgia Willis gave twenty-five dollars to our dear people in India today.”

“Twenty-five dollars!” said the other angel. “Why, I thought she was poor?”

“Oh, well, she thinks she is, but her Father in heaven is not, you know! She did what she could, and He did the rest.”

But Georgia knew nothing about all this, and the next morning she brightened her knives and sang cheerily:

“In this world of darkness, we must shine,

You in your small corner, and I in mine.”

Share personal testimonies about diligence…what was the benefit?  About slothfulness…what was the consequence?

Sword Drill

Prov. 4:23    Prov. 10:5    Prov. 12:24    Prov. 15:19    Prov. 18:9    Prov. 20:4    Prov. 24: 30 – 34    Prov. 26: 13 – 16    Romans 12:11    Colossians 3:23   Hebrews 6:11    Hebrews 12: 1 -2

Main Concepts to Emphazise

It is important for us to learn diligence now as we are preparing to be wives and mothers in the future.

Diligence is putting our whole heart into each task, knowing that we are doing it as unto the Lord.

Scripture warns us of the dangers of slothfulness and laziness.  A little bit of slothfulness leads to more and more slothfulness.  Without us even realizing what is happening, precious time is being lost forever.

Time is one of the most valuable resources that God has given us.  We will never be able to get it back.  Choose to use the years of your youth wisely.

The world’s attitude is that we should do only what we have to do to get by.  But diligence is being willing to go the extra mile, giving above and beyond what is required of us.

Satan will do anything he can to keep us from doing the work God has given us to do.  Discuss some of the specific priorities the Lord has given and some of the ways the enemy seeks to distract us (media!!!)

A common weakness for many girls can be the temptation to spend a lot of time daydreaming.  What are some ways we can deal with this?

Life is short.  We should be seeking to serve the Lords as much as we can with the amount of time He gives.  Don’t put off until tomorrow what you could do today.

It is important to have the right priorities in place and to use wisdom in discerning how much time we give to various activities.  Spending time with the Lord and taking care of our responsibilities should come before entertainment or pleasure.

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business?  He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (ordinary) men.”  Prov. 22:29

Activities

Doing a task diligently amidst distraction…

List of excuses contest…

List of time wasters contest…

Tea and Treats

Christmas Break!

For our Christmas meeting this year, we spent our time together working in groups on a ministry opportunity...making no sew, fringe polar fleece blankets to be given away to the homeless.

Each year it seems there are more and more people on the side of the road asking for food, work, money, or sometimes just a smile.

Unfortunately our first reaction might be to judge these people and wonder if they ended up where they are based on their own poor decision making.  I've always thought that even if this was the case, just the fact that this person is so 'down and out' that they're willing to humble themselves by asking for handouts on the side of the road, I have a hard time not giving them something if I have something to give...and sometimes it is just a big smile!  Carrying protein bars, or other small food items, as well as water bottles is always a great way to bless someone.  Now that the weather is cold and miserable...giving someone a fleece blanket is another opportunity to bless.

I was very proud of each girl as they diligently spent most of our meeting time working on their blankets.  The gals who finished earlier went on to help the others and every blanket was completed in record time!

Finally, after all that hard work, we sat down to a bounty of Christmas goodies and Secret Santa gifts.

Merry Christmas from Bellevue Bright Lights...see you in 2015! :)

Turning Hearts Towards Fathers

Set Six Meeting 4 – Turning Your Heart to Your Father

Listen to Sarah’s message on CD

Giving pieces of your heart away (make a paper heart…share ways you can give pieces of your heart away to things other than the Lord…tear off pieces of the heart to illustrate the point)

Ministry Opportunity!

Please have the girls bring 4 yards of polar fleece fabric (2 yards each of complimentary patterns – choose darker patterns as this will be a ministry for homeless men).  We will make the blankets at our Christmas meeting and then each girl will give their blanket to someone you see asking for money on the side of the road (no shortage of that now a days!) before Christmas.  The girls will each need to bring a good pair of sewing scissors for that meeting to cut the fringe of the blankets – these are tied fringe fleece blankets.

Prayer time

Sword Drill

Main Concepts:

It is our responsibility to bring honor to our earthly fathers by being respectful and appreciative.    It is honoring and pleasing to your heavenly Father when you work towards being respectful in your actions, words, and attitudes with your earthly father.  Authority is a good thing, despite what the world teaches, and an independent and rebellious spirit will lead to many troubles and trials in life.

Be sure to remember that while your heavenly Father is perfect in every way, your earthly father is not.  If you have struggles in your relationship with your earthly father, know that God is the perfect Father and will cause all things to work for good.

Be mindful of the good qualities your earthly father has and have grace for their shortcomings.  We are to honor our fathers, not because they are perfect parents, but because God has put them in place as our authority (Go around the group and name things you admire about your Dad…)

Activities

Tea

Encouraging Younger Siblings

Set Six Meeting Three Encouraging Younger Brothers and Sisters

Stories:

Joseph

Hudson Taylor  http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/biotaylor5.html

Share some things you appreciate about your brothers and sisters and how God has used them in your life.

Share a time when a word of encouragement was a special help to you….

Prayer:

That the girls would purpose to become encouragers and servants in their homes.

That the Lord would bless each of these girls’ siblings and use their familes as teams working for His kingdom.

Scripture:

Prov. 15:1

Eph. 4:29

1 Thess. 5:11

1 John 3: 11-18

1 John 4:20-21

Main Concepts:

Our homes are the best places to practice serving the Lord.  It is often easy to do what is right and to be a bright light when you are in public and you know that other people are watching you…but the real test comes when you are at home with your family.

It is important to realize the influence that we have with our brothers and sisters and the responsibility that we have to set a good example for them to follow.

The Lord gave us our brothers and sisters to help accomplish His purpose for our lives, but many girls view their siblings only as trouble or irritations.  Instead, we should learn to see the blessing that they truly are and purpose to develop close relationships with them.

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:42

Look for ways to be extra encouraging to your siblings this week.  Consider what a privilege it is that Jesus would call us His brothers and sisters!  (Matt. 12:50)

Activity

Tea

Orderliness

The second meeting in Set Six was on Orderliness...not the most glamorous of topics, but very necessary!  

We started the meeting off with a skit the girls and I had been working on...me pretending that I didn't have my notes together and cleaning up a big mess on the floor (disorderly with time) , Miss J. pretending she didn't have her meeting materials together and looking for them all over the living room (disorderly with things), and Miss D. coming into the room dressed in really sloppy getup looking like she just got out of bed (disorderly in appearance)!  It was funny watching the girls' reactions to all this disorderliness, but they pretty quickly caught on that it was part of the meeting :)

Set Six Meeting Two – Orderliness

Worship

Listen to CD

Personal Testimonies

Prayer

Scripture:

Psalm 119:133

Isaiah 55:8

Jeremiah 31:35

Mark 6: 35-44

1 Cor. 14:33

1 Cor. 14:40

Colossians 2:5

Main Concepts:

God values orderliness and demonstrates it in His creation.  As representatives of the Lord, we should follow His example of orderliness.

It may not seem like orderliness is very important, but it really affects many areas of our lives.  A lack of orderliness can hinder our effectiveness in accomplishing what God has called us to do.

A lack of orderliness is often a symptom of slothfulness.

Showing orderliness now can be a tremendous encouragement to our mothers, and is a very important habit to develop in preparation for the future.

Things naturally go from order to disorder unless there is outside intervention.

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…Let all things be done decently and in order.”  1 Corinthians 14:33a, 40

Preparing to be a Wife and a Mother

Welcome back Bright Lights!  Our Fall kickoff meeting this past Sunday went so well, and while we miss a few faces from last year, we had a wonderful group of 9 young ladies!  We started right into Set 6 materials, which concerns Homemaking.

I asked a simple question at the beginning of the meeting..."How many of you are already thinking about and preparing for college and a career?"  Almost every girl raised her hand.  Next I asked..."How many of you are preparing for the fact that one day you'll more than likely be a wife and a mother?"  One hand was raised.

This was my story too!  I knew from the age of 7 that I was going to college...it was talked about by my family as an accepted fact.  I had chores to do around the home, but never lessons in running a home.  I was an only child until I was 17, and rarely did babysitting...so I had no real experience with nurturing or caring for a baby or child.  I had learned to wash dishes and keep a kitchen tidy, but basically entered marriage completely lacking in cooking skills.  (In fact, my husband did most of the cooking because his food tasted so much better!)

I was prepared for success in a career...but not a home.  By the Lord's grace, I learned on the fly.

Maybe you can relate to my story...and understand the need for preparing our girls for the most fulfilling calling of all, the calling of being a wife and a mother.

In the spirit of Homemaking, the activities for the day centered around setting up a table for entertaining.  The girls baked and decorated their own cupcakes, completely decorated and set the tea table, learned a neat way to fold a napkin to look like a rose, and made seating cards.

I wanted to show this little YouTube clip during our meeting, but didn't have time.  Susanna Wesley is an amazing example of the power of a godly wife and mother...please watch this with your daughter if you get a chance!

On a different note, I'm so thankful one of the older girls has stepped up to take a leadership role in several areas...leading worship, planning and leading activities, and coordinating group ministry opportunities.  We'd like to serve together twice this year, once in the Fall and again in the Spring.

I'm excited to be starting our 4th year of Bellevue Bright Lights!  I really appreciate your prayers for our little discipleship group :)

Bright Lights Set Six Meeting One - Preparing to Be a Wife and Mother

Worship

Scriptures:

Genesis 3

Proverbs 31: 10-31

Ephesians 5: 21-33

1 Timothy 2: 9-10

Titus 2: 3-5

James 1:27

1 Peter 3: 1-6

Main Concepts:

1.)     We will find our greatest fulfillment in life when we understand and embrace God’s design for us as ladies.  Scripture reveals to us God’s design for women:  that we love our husbands, love our children, be keepers at home and adorn ourselves with good works.  (Titus 2: 4-5 ; 1 Tim. 2: 9-10)

2.)     God’s design for women is different than His calling for men.  Our role is not less important – it is just different!  (Roles vs. Essence)

3.)     The decisions that we make every day are based on our goals for the future.  We need to purpose to pursue God’s goals for our lives and seek His will for our future.

4.)     Now is the time to prepare for the future!

5.)       Be very sensitive to those whose mothers may work outside the homes.  While emphasizing the beauty and fulfillment of embracing your call as wife and mother, we must guard against judging those who, whether by choice, or necessity, work full time outside of the home.

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”  Titus 2: 4-5

Activities

Tea

Honoring Your Parents

We had a great ending to our year, before summer break, this past Sunday...finishing up Set 5 materials with the topic of Honoring Your Parents.  The weather was beautiful, so for a special treat, I handed out Popsicles and the girls and I walked around the neighborhood discussing our topic...fun!  Have a safe and blessed summer break everyone and hope to see you all back again in September :)

Set 5 Meeting 6 – Honoring Your Parents

Stories:

Jesus going to the temple when He was 12 (Luke 2:  41-52)

Samson’s failure in this area and the results (Judges 14)

Personal testimonies of when you chose to honor your parents, even though you didn’t want to, and the ways you saw the Lord bless your decision

What does “To Honor” look like?

We should honor not only parents, but also grandparents and others in authority.

How do Gratefulness, Complaining and Murmuring, Gossip, Disrespect, Disputing and Arguing relate to honoring our parents?

Scripture:

Ex. 20:12

Deut. 5:16

Prov. 1: 8-9

Prov. 15:5

Prov. 15:20

Prov. 15:31-33

Jer. 35

Mal. 4:6

Matt. 15:3-9

Lk. 2:41-52

Rom. 13

Eph. 6:1-3

Col. 3:20

Main Concepts

We are commanded in both the OT and the NT to honor our parents…and it doesn’t say to honor them when they are right, when we agree with them, or when it is easy – it just says to honor them!

The commandment to honor our parents is so important to God that He has an exciting promise attached to it (Eph. 6:3 “That it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”)  Honoring our parents may be difficult, but the rewards far outweigh the struggles.  There will be huge blessings for us, both now and for the rest of our lives, as we purpose to honor our parents in everything and respond to them in a godly way.  Ultimately, we are not just honoring our parents – we are honoring the Lord!

Almost every parent desires to have a close relationship with their daughters.  We should do everything we can to seek a close relationship with them in return.  In fact, our relationship with our parents is to be a picture of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. (1 John 3:1)