August 24 Thinksgiving – Reflecting & Thanking Together |🔒 Sealing – Prayer of Commitment

💭🙏 "Thinksgiving" – Reflecting & Thanking Together

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, before we close, we’re going to combine two things — thinking about what we’ve learned and thanking God for it. We’ll call this time Thinksgiving. We’re going to look into the mirror of God’s Word, see where we are, use the map of His truth to know where we’re going, and then thank Him for every step He’s leading us to take.”

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Part 1 – Mirror & Map (Thinking)

Pastor Arp:
“Let’s start with the mirror. I’ll read a question, you jot your answer in your journal. After a moment, I’ll invite a few to share aloud.”

1. What “old garment” do I still see hanging in my spiritual closet?

   • Debbie: “Holding grudges.”

2. Where in my life am I most tempted to slip back into old ways?

   • Tessie: “When I’m around negative people.”

3. Which verse today spoke most directly to me?

   • Hazel: “Verse 29 — about the words I speak.”

Pastor Arp:
“Now for the map — where we’re going.”

4. Which “new garment” do I need to put on first this week?

   • Maria: “Compassion.”

5. What’s one small action I can take in the next 24 hours to live this truth?

   • Cindy: “Send a kind message to someone I’ve avoided.”

6. Who needs to see Christ’s love through me right now?

   • Ann C.: “My struggling co-worker.”

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Part 2 – Gratitude Response (Thanking)

Pastor Arp:
“Now let’s respond in gratitude. I’ll call out themes from today’s passage. If one hits home for you, speak a one-sentence thank you to God.”

1. Truth replacing lies

   • Alanda: “Thank You, Lord, for freeing me to speak the truth.”

2. Peace replacing anger

   • Theresa: “Thank You for helping me let go quickly.”

3. Generosity replacing selfishness

   • Debra: “Thank You for the joy that comes when I give.”

4. Encouragement replacing corrupt talk

   • Gale: “Thank You for showing me how my words can heal.”

5. Forgiveness replacing bitterness

   • Glenda: “Thank You for the freedom forgiveness brings.”

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Closing Charge

Pastor Arp:
“Take one of your map answers and carry it into this week. Let it guide your steps. And each time you act on it, pause and thank God — that’s living in Thinksgiving all week long.”

August 23 - P- Practice. “From Knowing to Doing”

    
“From Knowing to Doing”

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, we’ve observed the text — we’ve asked our 5 W’s and H. We’ve uncovered the meaning — we’ve dug into the Greek words, the context, and the heart of what Paul was saying. But now comes the step that changes everything: practice.

The Word of God isn’t meant to stay on the page or in our notes. It’s meant to shape the way we speak, think, and act every day. James 1:22 reminds us, ‘Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.’

So today, we’re going to make this practical — and we’ll do it together. Think of this as walking into your spiritual closet. On one side are the ‘old garments’ Paul says to take off. On the other side are the ‘new garments’ Christ calls us to put on. Our job? Decide what we’re taking off and what we’re putting on — and then actually wear it this week.

Let’s step into that closet together right now.”

🛠 Practice – “Closet Exchange” Interactive Session

Pastor Arp:
“Alright, sisters, Paul uses the image of clothing — taking off the old and putting on the new. We’re going to step into God’s wardrobe room together.

Open your journals. Draw two columns:

• Column 1 – Old Garments (what to take off)

• Column 2 – New Garments (what to put on)

I’ll name something from the passage. You’ll write it in both columns, then we’ll have a couple of you share what that might look like in real life.”

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Pastor Arp:
“First one — verse 25:

• Old: Lying

• New: Speaking truth

Gale, can you give an example of what ‘putting on truth’ might look like in your life?”

Gale:
“It might be admitting when I’ve made a mistake at work instead of covering it up.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Good. Next — verse 26:

• Old: Uncontrolled anger

• New: Quick reconciliation

Theresa, what could ‘quick reconciliation’ look like for you?”

Theresa:
“Talking to the person the same day instead of letting it fester for a week.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Verse 28:

• Old: Stealing or selfish gain

• New: Honest work & generosity

Debbie, your thoughts?”

Debbie:
“Offering to help someone fix something without charging them, even if I could.”

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Pastor Arp:
“Verse 29:

• Old: Corrupt talk

• New: Words that build

Ann C., what’s one example of that swap?”

Ann C.:
“Choosing to speak encouragement when I feel like complaining about someone.”

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Pastor Arp:
“And finally — vv. 31–32:

• Old: Bitterness, wrath, malice

• New: Kindness, compassion, forgiveness

Maria, what does this look like in action?”

Maria:
“Letting go of an old hurt without bringing it up again every time I see the person.”

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Interactive YES / NO / SOMETIMES Sharing

Pastor Arp:
“Now, I’m going to ask some questions. When you answer, start with ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Sometimes’ — then finish with a full sentence. Who’s first?”

1. Do I usually resolve anger before the day ends?

   • Cindy: “Sometimes, I do, but I have nights when I let it spill into the next day.”

2. Do my words consistently build others up?

   • Tessie: “No, not always — I catch myself being sarcastic sometimes.”

3. Do I forgive quickly?

   • Alanda: “Yes, I try to forgive the same day because I don’t like the heaviness it brings.”

4. Do I look for ways to give generously?

   • Debra: “Sometimes, I’m generous when I plan for it, but I want to be more spontaneous.”

5. Do I avoid choices that grieve the Holy Spirit?

   • Jesmyn: “Yes, I’m more aware of my words and attitudes now.”

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Pastor Arp (Closing Practice):
“This week, I want each of you to choose one old garment you’ll take off and one new garment you’ll put on. Write it on a card, keep it where you’ll see it, and pray over it daily. Next time, we’ll share what happened when you dressed in Christ’s character.”

August 21 - Ephesians 4:17-32 M

M – 🧠 Meaning 

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, we’ve just observed the text — asking Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? from the passage. That’s our foundation. Now we move into meaning — what these words meant to Paul’s original audience, and what they mean for us today.

We’ll start with Paul’s three big commands — put off, be renewed, put on — then I’ll have you share the word studies you looked up using Blue Letter Bible or Bible Hub. Tell us the meaning and the source. And yes, I’m going to call on you by name.”