Refreshing Watermelon
Introduction
Begin the meeting by playing the game “How Hot Does It Get.” Match the correct temperature to the corresponding item. 400°F.; 500° F; 104°; 122° F; 203°F; 800°F; 450°F – 650°F.
The list gives the correct temperature.
- Fireman’s Suite 500° F
- Silicone Oven Mitt 450°F – 650°F
- Wood-Fire Brick Oven 800°F
- Air Fryer 400°F
- Boiling Milk 203°F
- Human Body 104° 122° F
- Astronaut Suit 400°F
Program Ideas
Activities
- Cut out small watermelon slice shaped pieces of paper for the participants to write their prayers on.
- Pray for those who work in the hot temperatures.
- Pray for those who experience hardship due to the heat.
- Plan a trip to a local Fire Station. Call ahead to set up a time for the visit.
- Ask the women to help prepare a cool snack for those at the fire station. This could be slices of cold watermelon, iced tea or lemonade.
- Let the women know ahead of time that you will be visiting a local fire station. When there, thank the first responders for their service.
Discussion
- What are some of your favorite hot weather activities?
- Share a time when you had to work outside when it was extremely hot or in a really hot environment?
- What did you have to do?
- Did you enjoy it?
- Were you glad when you accomplished your task and could find a place to cool down?
- Have you considered what it might be like to continually work in extreme temperatures?
- What about fire fighters and other emergency responders? They are required to respond no matter the temperature or weather.
Refreshing Watermelon
July is a hot month of the year. Some people genuinely enjoy the heat and others don’t. There are lots of recreational activities for us to do when it’s hot outside to cool off. One of the ways we look for relief from the heat is to stay in the shade, drink water or go to the pool or beach. Many of us enjoy a refreshing piece of watermelon when it’s hot outside. No one wants to go to work when it’s hot and humid, but some must because of the responsibilities they bear.
Have you ever considered how challenging it must be for firefighters to do their job of rescuing people in scorching heat and flames? There are approximately 1,210,800 active firefighters in the US. In 2022, 96 firefighters died while on duty. They have specially made suits that withstand the flames but only for a certain amount of time before the heat overwhelms them. Getting trapped, falling, or running out oxygen are the major causes of death. We’ll be taking cold drinks and watermelon slices to our local fire station to show our appreciation.
Sometimes it feels like life puts us through the fire. We can suddenly find ourselves facing the heat and despair of a disease, a divorce, or a difficult decision and feel like we are stuck in a fire. It is in those moments that we can turn to the Bible and see how we can manage the pressures of life by reflecting on the promises of God for us.
There are two references we want to focus on. In the New Living Translation Luke 1:37 says, “For the Word of God will never fail.” In other words: nothing is impossible for God and He will do what He says He will do. These words were said to Mary when she was given the news of her pregnancy. It seemed impossible and her life was at risk of death for becoming pregnant without being married. She placed her faith in the words of the Angel and surrendered herself replying: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Trusting in the Lord will help us build our faith. Most of the time the way to activate our faith is to remember that God has been with us during past challenges, and He will continue to be with us.
There are a few references in the Bible about facing real fire. Many have heard of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego and how they refused to worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar and boldly told him:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power. Your Majesty, but even if He does not, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
That is confident faith! They were thrown into a blazing furnace, which was seven times hotter than usual. Today we know by reading the Bible that the Lord intervened and joined them in the furnace. The King was shocked to see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed and he stated that the fourth man looked like a god! He went on to acknowledge and praise God.
Our theme of Confident Faith is taken from Hebrews chapter 11. Many people are listed there and known as the giants or heroes of our faith. Let’s look at verses 32-34. It was their faith in God that made these regular, normal people overthrow kingdoms, do justice, defeat lions, escape death and “quenched the flames of fire” and more importantly received what God had promised them. They had confident faith which saw them through those difficult and scary moments. They had hope, courage, and confidence in the Lord at the worst of times of their lives and they were rewarded.
It may be that you are facing the heat. In fact, 1 Peter 4:12 says: “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through … instead be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ.” Sometimes we do not feel we can resist the elevated temperature of our circumstances but trust—have confidence—there is protective heat and fire-resistant promises in the Word of God especially for us to hold on to during those moments. It is what God says about us and our circumstances that will allow us to escape the flames. The more time we spend in conversation with the Lord through His Spirit in prayer and reading His Word the more our faith will grow and become confident. We can bring those things that are burning within us to the Lord in prayer and believe that He hears us and will reply according to His will.
