You are Priceless … You Are a Treasured Gem

Note: Each worship program will coordinate with the monthly birthstone, their meaning, and their color to help with decorating ideas. Each birth stone meaning is linked to our identity in Christ.

May Birthstone: Emerald, Colo, Dark Green, Meaning: Love

Introduction

Everyone needs to know that they are treasured by their Creator. In the first activity the women reach out to others reminding them of God’s love. The second activity is a reminder of how God loves them.

Program Ideas

Activity One: Affirmation Notes

In this activity the women make affirmation notes to send to a woman who needs encouragement.

Supplies—Blank cards, colored papers, pens, markers, stickers, (any scrapbooking materials).  The cards can be decorating in whatever way the women like. Include encouraging scripture verses.

Activity Two:  Alcohol Ink Gems

In this activity the women will alcohol ink gems. These gems will be unique, just as they are unique.  The gems can be displayed in a variety of way to reminder them of how they are God’s precious treasure!  Check the following YouTube link for easy instruction:

Brea Reese – Alcohol Ink Easy Gem Magnets – YouTube or for a different method:
https://colormadehappy.com/diy-glass-cracked-gems-stones-jewelry/

Supplies

• Clear, flat-backed glass gems
• Alcohol inks colors
• Isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle
• Small paint brush
• Aluminum foil tape

Optional Supplies (Depending on the finished item)

• E6000 glue (available from Amazon, or craft stores)
• Magnets
• Thumbtacks
• Necklace cord
• Pendant hanger

Step 1: Choose 2-3 alcohol ink colors for each gem. On the flat side of each gem, start with 1-2 drips of the first color. Then 1-2 drips of the next colors. A fine-tip paintbrush can be used to apply ink on the gem.

Step 2: Once the colors are to their liking, allow the alcohol ink to dry for a few minutes. Then spray the isopropyl alcohol for a splattered effect.

Step 3: Most alcohol inks dry tacky. With that in mind, when the gem is completely dry, you can wipe away the tackiness using a cloth or Q-Tip dipped in alcohol.

Optional Steps

• To create decorative thumbtacks or magnets – simply glue a thumbtack or magnet directly onto the back using E6000 glue.
• To create a necklace – glue the gem to a pendant hanger and add it to a necklace cord.
• To use as decoration for other craft projects: glue the gem to the top of a wooden box or on a canvas article.

You Are a Treasure

When you think of the word treasure, what comes to mind? Is it a collection of figurines, or photographs? Maybe it’s your child, grandchildren, or friends? It maybe that piece of jewelry with gemstones that has been passed down through the generations. We all have someone or something that is extremely valuable to us.

Throughout history and in all cultures, there has been a fascination with gemstones, which are considered precious. Each gemstone is unique in its color hues, shapes, and its chemical and atomic structures. Each gemstone goes through an incredible refining process, from the crystallization process to the mining, to the cutting, and finally, the creation of a finished jewelry piece. They have been used to beautify and adorn people throughout time, bring prestige to the wearer. Gemstones have also been used as a mode of currency. Each gemstone is unique, valuable, and highly treasured.

Though some think that gems are some of the most prized treasures, there is a far more priceless treasure—you! You and I are priceless treasures because we are God’s chosen and treasured possession. Just as each gem is different, you and I are uniquely crafted and priceless. Isn’t it amazing that the same God who created this world chose you and me? The God who moves mountains and makes miracles happen, considers us His prized possession. God chose us as by sending His one and only Son on behalf of our sins. When we accept Jesus of our Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us refining us making us more like Jesus.

In 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV) we are reminded: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” We were specifically chosen and called by God into His kingdom. He chose each one of us to be His children. Our Maker so treasures us that He called us out of the darkness and sinful nature of life, into God’s marvelous radiating light. God values us so much that He chose to redeem us from the tyranny of sin at a very high price—the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

But if you don’t know how valuable you are, if you ever forget, or still are not convinced that you are God’s valued treasure, sit down, pause, and remember how our great God describes us in His Word. “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deut. 7:6, NIV). In 1 Peter 2:9 we read “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” And in Psalm 135:4 “For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be His own, Israel to be His treasured possession.”

God chose us out of His goodness and grace. Jesus gave His life, so that we become a special treasure of God and His holy possession. Therefore, we must allow God’s glory to shine through us daily so that others will see our great God and desire Him more than any prized gem. Just as we might treasure some things or someone, never forget that we are God’s valued treasure. Encouraging each another plays a critical impact on our overall well-being. As a body of believers, we are called to encourage. Take the time to write a note or share a verse with your sisters as a reminder of how our Almighty Father treasures them.