Decorations
As this is a Valentine party, decorate the tables with pink and black tablecloths, napkins and plates. Place small bowls of assorted sour candies on each table. Some examples: conversations hearts, sour gummy bears and sour lollipops. On another table, close to where the devotions will be shared, place an assortment of sweet candies for the women to enjoy after the devotional. Use this as an illustration of how sweet God’s love is towards us and how we should reflect His love to others. “For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:15).
Games
- GUESS THE LOVE SONG
Print excerpts from love songs and invite the women to guess the title. Or play excerpts from the songs and give points for the title of the song and the performing artist.- Love Song Suggestions (All available on YouTube®)
- “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton
- “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
- “All of Me” by John Legend
- “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams
- “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts
- “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
- “Yesterday” by The Beatles
- “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
- “How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees
- HEART PUZZLE RACE
Cut a large piece of poster board into a heart and then cut the heart into smaller puzzle pieces. Place a puzzle on each table prior to beginning the program. Have the teams at each table race against each other to see who can mend the broken heart first. - GUESS THE BAD DATE
Ask the women to write on an index card a short description of the worst date they’ve ever had. Collect them and have the women take turns picking a card, reading it aloud and guessing who it belongs to. - VALENTINE CANDY CHARADES
Ask the players to draw a conversational candy heart from a bowl. Using the regular rules for charades, they must act out the message on the candy heart. - VALENTINE STORY
Divide the women up into small groups. Each group is to come up with a story that they will share with the entire group. Give them a theme that they are to write their story around. Use the love song titles above, or other suggestions such as: “She done me wrong;” “Worst date ever;” “They lived happily ever after—not!” An alternate idea would be to ask several of the women ahead of time to write a story, which they will share with the group on the day of the program. Award a prize to the best story.
Refreshments
Ask several women to bring their favorite dessert to share.
Love That Won’t Quit
Valentine’s Day can be particularly difficult for many people. For some it is reminder that they have no one with whom to share the holiday. For others it is the reminder of loved ones who are no longer with them.
I love you. All of us want to hear those three words. We believed that in those three words we can find comfort, peace, strength, courage and acceptance. Some of us so are so desperate to hear those words that we look for them in all the wrong places. Why do you think there are so many songs about love gone wrong?
What we failed to realize is that love sought in the wrong places isn’t good love. Hearts get broken, feelings get hurt and loneliness takes up residence in our hearts. When not mended, hearts begin to harden and turn to stone making any chance of healing seem impossible. But then God shows up.
Where hearts are broken, God heals. Where feelings are hurt, God mends. Where loneliness is found, God brings restoration and peace and most of all unconditional love. You see, God’s love is good.
We read in Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Faithful love—forever. Not only is God’s love good, but also the Psalm tells us that it is forever. Unlike many things we have staked our hearts on in our lives, God is always faithful. We don’t have to walk on eggshells waiting for His love to turn. This Valentine’s Day, as we reflect on what love means in our lives, let us remember the love that won’t quit—God’s good, faithful and forever love. What has God done for you? Is there someone who needs to hear about His love today?
