Scripture: Matthew 6:25–34; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.
Introduction
One thing that holds some people back from making healthy changes in their lives is having someone to come along their side as an accountability partner.
Women’s Ministries Exercise Group
Explore the possibility of starting an exercise group with the women that attend women’s ministries. This could be held on a separate day or the women may want to come earlier on the regular program day.
Refreshments
Share healthy snacks together. Ask the women to bring their favorite healthy recipe to share.
Snack ideas:
- Water infused with fresh fruit
- Fresh fruit slices with yogurt dip – https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fruit-with-yogurt-dip/
- Oven-Roasted Chickpeas – https://tasty.co/compilation/roasted-chickpeas-4-ways
- Banana/Oat/Chocolate cookies (those are the ingredients) – https://tasty.co/recipe/3-ingredient-breakfast-cookies
Service Project Idea
Contact a women’s shelter, a senior center, or a work location to explore the possibility of starting an exercise program. This group could meet weekly or monthly depending on the needs of the women. This could be simply walking together or something more guided, like working out to a video. The benefit of using a video is that you do not need to have experience leading since the video instructor will take the lead. You only need to invite the women, prepare the space, communicate a time and place and follow up with the spiritual components such as prayer and a short devotional before or after the workout.
There are some helpful ideas and links on YouTube:
- Senior Center – search on “exercises for those with limited mobility.”
- Mom’s Group/Women’s Shelter/Work—search on “fun exercise videos for beginners.”
- At work, invite others in the office to walk with you or exercise to a short workout video during work breaks.
- At home—search on “fun exercise videos for the whole family.”
Share a devotional with the group. The YouVersion Bible has a lot of devotionals plans that anyone can access. One “Day” in the devotional could be read at each exercise session. Here are a few devotionals on the YouVersion Bible that could be shared:
- “Less Hustle, More Jesus: 5 Day devotional by Shanna Noel”
- “Hot Mess, Thriving as a Mom”
- “From Anxiety to Peace”
A Healthier You
Did you realize that videos and photos in magazines, movies, and social media are often edited? Inches are deleted off women’s bodies with a click. Legs lengthened, and bodies stretched with a swipe. A woman’s face is wiped clean of blemishes in seconds. No matter how much we diet or carefully apply makeup, we won’t look like the people on magazine covers. Our self–image is distorted as we compare ourselves to people who are digitally “perfect.”
January brings a new year with New Year’s resolutions. Many times, those resolutions are to improve our looks and strive to look more like the people that we see on our screens. But we will fail, no matter how hard we try. We are trying to live up to something that is fake. Instead, let’s plant our sense of worth on God’s word. Matthew 6:25 warns us not to worry. “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” Instead, Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” We can put our worries about our looks behind us by seeking God first. We were created in God’s image. He likes the way He created us. We are His beautiful daughters. Instead of trying to be skinnier, let’s first have a relationship with God. Then instead of trying to be a particular shape or size, let’s seek health and wellness.
We can make healthy choices to honor God with our bodies. First Corinthians 6:19, 20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” It doesn’t matter what size you are. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you should be a certain size. We can choose to honor God by what we do with the bodies He gave us. This includes making healthy choices to take care of our bodies. Imagine having even more energy to serve Him. Seek other Christians in your journey to be healthier this year. Become wonderfully planted in God’s word. Exercise together, drink more water together, and share healthy recipes. Celebrate together as you honor God.
