Holiday Reminders Needed

Share:

Holiday Reminders Needed So We Don't Forget

Highlighting, underlining, to-do and to-buy lists, calendars, sticky notes, catch phrases, digital notifications, and so many more tools help us not forget what’s important to know or do. The same should also be true spiritually. God has taught us wonderful truths that provide answers, help, and hope in Him. Yet, without constant reminders, we’re bound to forget.

This can be especially so during busy seasons of life, like the holidays. We can get so caught up in what we must do during this time that we skip spending time alone with the Lord. We plan to resume after getting through the busy patch. We always need help remembering Him but we especially need holiday reminders about what’s most important.

Some Holiday Reminders for Christmas

We can get so consumed with buying and wrapping presents, going to parties, and decorating. When we do, we tend to forget what’s most important. Click on links below to help you reflect on what you need to remember.

(These posts form the basis for the Christmas Reminders Curriculum.)

Reminders for New Years

We can get so consumed with ringing in the new year that we forget the new life we have in Christ Jesus. Click on the links below to take time to remember the newness of life in Him. His mercies are “new every morning” (Lam. 3:21-22).

Reminders for Other Holidays

For articles, books, and resources about other holidays, go to:

What have you done, or what will you do, to remind yourself to keep focused on the Lord during the holidays? Will you turn to Him as the source of help and hope to remain steadfast in your walk with Him?

Share:

Holiday Resources for Making the Most of Opportunities

Share:

Holiday Resources to Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Shortly after launching the MinTools.com site in 1999, I decided to provide a few holiday resources links. Site statistics revealed a real interest in finding help over the holidays.

Since God’s Word does encourage us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5), I knew this was a way to further equip believers in their ministries.

Pages with Seasonal & Holiday Resources

What started as one page with holiday resources, turned into many, as listed below:

Administrative Professionals Day
Autumn – Fall Resources
Back to School
Boss’s Day
Christmas
Easter
Father’s Day
Grandparents’ Day
Halloween
Independence Day
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Mother’s Day
New Year’s
Pastor / Clergy Appreciation Day & Month
Presidents’ Day
Spring Resources
St. Patrick’s Day
Summer Resources
Thanksgiving
Valentine’s Day
Veterans Day
Winter Resources

Ways Holidays are Used for Ministry

Typically we find ourselves planning special programs, activities, and events for the holidays with emphasis on:

outreach
family time
expressions of appreciation

They can also provide opportunities for sermons and teachings with targeted messages that people may be more receptive to because they’re already thinking about the topic due to the holiday.

How to Make the Most of the Holidays for Ministry

When reading the Bible verses about making the most of every opportunity, let’s be sure to note how both of the key passages exhorting us to do so also reference our need for wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-16 begins, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise …” Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Here are just four issues for which we need wisdom at holidays:

  1. We must be discerning in the type of decorations and activities we use related to the holidays so as not to send mixed messages about Truth. Do they accurately represent God and His Word?
  1. We must be sensitive of those in our midst who find particular holidays difficult or hurtful. How can we keep the good of all in mind by the way we celebrate, the words we say, and the emphasis we put in certain aspects of it?
  1. We must consider the best way to use church communications not only to announce programs but also to engage people about how to keep God central during the holiday. How can we utilize various means to reach people, not just the big events?
  1. We must guard against letting members think that bringing people to big holiday events excuse them from personally witnessing, giving benevolently, spiritually nurturing their own children, etc.. What can we do to equip people to make the most of opportunities in their own spheres of influence over the holiday seasons as well as year round?

Acknowledging the need to be wise during these times, we should consider training ministry workers to at least be aware of the above points. (Example of helping Bible teachers: Holidays & Seasonal Teacher Training Resources)

And, these points certainly suggest our need to pray about the way to make the best use of these holiday opportunities. God promises to give us the wisdom we need if we ask (James 1:5).

Share:

Tips for Dealing with the Effects of Holidays on Church Life

Share:

Holidays affect the normal flow of church life whether intentional or not. Pastors, teachers, ministry leaders and workers should be aware of the effects of holidays, prepare for them, and make the most of them. Remember that we are exhorted to make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).

Holidays Effects on Attendance:

Holidays often bring a fluctuation in attendance. Regular attendees might be absent due to travel and visitors might be present as they are spending the holidays with your church member families. Tips:

  • Be prepared for a different group dynamic.
  • Be sensitive to newcomers.
  • Use it as time to share the Gospel.
  • Don’t bemoan who isn’t there but rather, remember them in prayer and maximize the time with those who are there.

Calendar of Events Over the Holidays:

Holidays often pull focus and resources from normal church life onto planning special programs and emphasis. Tips:

  • Use holidays to bring home points not usually covered throughout the year but remember that there are still on-going needs and ministry to be addressed.
  • Build margins into your schedule to be available for on-going ministry unrelated to the holidays.
  • Don’t lose focus on the essentials of life in Christ in the busyness of the season. Continue to nurture your own walk with God and encourage others to do so as well.

Holiday Effects on Giving:

Holidays often bring a fluctuation in giving, sometimes more and sometimes less. Tips:

  • Establish a means for those traveling for the holidays to still give to the ongoing work of the church.
  • Plan for ways to use extra giving beyond the budget for special projects, benevolence, etc.
  • Don’t pressure people but at the same time, keep stewardship and the vision before them.

Holiday Effects on Church Members’ Lives:

Holidays are often a more stressful, busier, and even an emotionally difficult time. Tips:

  • Be sensitive to people’s schedules and distractions in the way you plan.
  • Be available for counsel, to pray with and assist them as needed.
  • Don’t add more stress and turmoil to their lives.
  • Be a beacon of light and comfort to help them navigate these times.

The next post will look at how the holiday season can affect our lives. Subscribe to receive e-mail notice of new posts.

Effects of Holidays Like Intruders in ClassroomALSO:
The holidays can also affect the teaching-learning process in Sunday school or other Bible classes. Prepare your teachers to turn these intrusions into opportunities by ordering this two page teacher training document: Intruders in the Classroom that Steal & Vandalize: Holidays & Other Special Events

Share:

Bible Verses about Bosses

Share:

Boss' DayIn the U.S. we celebrate Boss’ Day October 16th each year, a time for employees to recognize and express appreciation to those who supervise them. But, what does Scripture say about the ongoing relationship of bosses and employees?

The Bible verses used for this study pull in the relationship between a slave and his master, governing authorities and their citizens, as well as church leadership and the rest of the Body. The verses are combined as the same instructions seem to hold through similarly for all.

This suggests that we need to maintain the same standards and character whether in the church, government, or workplace … whether we have a Christian or unbelieving boss or employees … whether they are good and considerate or harsh and disrespectful.

Bible Verses about Bosses to Employees:

  • Treat them the way you expect them to treat you (Eph. 6:9)
  • Do not use threats as a tactic to get them to comply. (Eph. 6:9)
  • Be a servant, under God, for the good of others. (Matt. 20:25-28; Rom. 13:4, 6; 1 Pet. 5:2)
  • Be attentive to their needs. Watch over them. (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2)
  • Understand your own accountability. (Heb. 13:17)
  • Enable people to enjoy working for you, not feel like it’s a burden. (Heb. 13:17)
  • Be fair in the wages you offer. Don’t defraud people but do right by them. (Lev. 19:13; Mal. 3:5; Col. 4:1; James 5:4)
  • Get beyond obligations toward them to truly caring and wanting to be there for them. (1 Pet. 5:2)
  • Keep everything you do above board Get what you get honestly, with integrity. (1 Pet. 5:2)
  • Don’t be controlling. (Matt. 20:25-26; 1 Pet. 5:3)
  • View people under you as an entrustment from God. (1 Pet. 5:3)
  • Be an example. (1 Pet. 5:3)
  • Look for your reward from God. (1 Pet. 5:3-4)
  • Demonstrate humility. (1 Pet. 5:5)

Observations: God is concerned about how you treat people. Being a boss doesn’t give you a right to be bossy.

Bible Verses about Employees to Bosses:

  • Listen to them (obey). (Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22; Titus 3:1; Heb. 13:17)
  • Submit to them (subject to). (Rom. 13:1; Titus 2:9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 18; 5:5)
  • Seek to please them. (Titus 2:9)
  • Be respectful toward them (respect and fear). Honor them. (Eph. 6:5; 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:17)
  • Maintain honesty and integrity toward them (sincerity of the heart). (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22)
  • Serve them out of reverence for the Lord. (Rom. 13:2; Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
  • Work wholeheartedly not just for them but because of the Lord. (Eph. 6:7-8; Col. 3:23-24)
  • Acknowledge God’s sovereignty in who is over you, knowing that God is using this person for your good. (Jn. 19:11; Rom. 13:1-2, 4)
  • Do not rebel against their authority. (Rom. 13:2)
  • Seek to do what is right. Rise above the fray. Keep your conscience clean. (Rom. 13:3, 5)
  • Represent the Lord in the workplace (so His name and teaching not slandered) (1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9-10)
  • Don’t take advantage of believing bosses but be all the more motivated to serve well. (1 Tim. 6:2)
  • Look for your reward from God. (Eph. 6:7-8; Col. 3:23-24)
  • Be humble. (1 Pet. 5:5)
  • Stay calm if the one over you rises against you (anger). (Eccl. 10:4)
  • Hold your tongue, not talking back at them. (Titus 2:9)
  • Be trustworthy, not stealing from them time, money, or other. (Titus 2:9-10)
  • Pray for them. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

Observations: God is as much concerned about our heart attitude toward our bosses as outward compliance. We should be concerned about being a testimony and honoring to the Lord not just pleasing the boss or getting a paycheck.

Click Here for More: Boss’ Day Resources

Share: