Developing a Theme

The Brainstorm Corner is meant to be a “springboard” for you and your ladies who may need to plan or develop an outing or fellowship. Not every idea may work for your church group, but one idea may lead to another idea that fits your ministry.

Table or room décor

You could go in several different directions for decorating a theme based on this title, such as a cruise ship style feel with travel posters all around the room to more of a fishing vessel or sea captain feel with fishing nets and boat accessories around the room. Having actual anchors on stage and possibly some navigation tools would be a good visual for the ladies. Some dollhouse retail stores sell miniature anchors that you could place in sand to use as a table centerpiece. Also, stores that sell fish tank accessories sell anchors and sea vessel décor that would be an appropriate size for a table centerpiece. Different types of boats or ships can be used as centerpieces with an anchor hanging off each. If white tablecloths are used, the paper plates/cups can be navy blue and vice versa, giving a nautical effect. An elaborate décor for this theme would be to build a plank or dock with ropes and anchors hanging off the sides of the gangway. You could set up a picture area complete with portholes and sea accessories.

Ice breakers or activities

Have the ladies fill out a simple 3×5 card as they enter to answer some of these questions:

1. If you had a boat, what would you name it?
2. If you could use a boat to go to any destination, where would you go?
3. What is your favorite promise in Scripture?

For an ice breaker or activity, you could “quiz” the ladies to see if they could attach the right lady to the right boat name or destination. You could use the answers to #3 as the introduction or conclusion of your devotional.

Another idea would be to play a game of “unscramble the nautical terms.” Here are some words to help you get started: midshipman, yeoman, anchor, depth, height, knots, ship, captain, mainstay, mate, bow, aft, keel, buoy.

A lively game of charades based on Bible events that involve water would also add some energy to your event: the waters being separated during creation, Noah and the flood, Moses in the basket in the river, Moses separating the Red Sea, Elijah and the prophets of Baal (when God caused it to rain), Jonah and the fish, Jesus calming the sea, Peter walking on water, and Paul being shipwrecked are just a few ideas.

Refreshments

Seafood, of course! You could go as simple as oyster crackers and goldfish or as elaborate as serving sushi and various kinds of seafood meats. Another simple food would be tuna sandwiches or crab salad. For a dessert, have one of your ladies decorate a cake with an anchor in the middle and the Bible reference Hebrews 6:19. This would be an excellent centerpiece to your food table.

Devotionals

Check out the outline below for a devotional idea for this theme.

Song: “My Anchor Holds”

Text: Heb. 6:17-20 with key verse found in verse 19

Introduction: Sometimes in the sea of life we feel we are in a raging storm. The winds seem to be whipping us in every direction until we almost feel as if we don’t know which end is up. Sometimes we feel we are drifting listlessly with no direction. But God has promised that if we follow Him, He will be our true and secure anchor. When we are anchored in Him, we can be…

I. Safeguarded by my Anchor – vs. 17,18

1. God’s Promise – vs. 17
2. God’s Protection – vs. 18

II. Supported by my Anchor – vs. 19

1. God’s Hope
2. God’s Help

III. Secured by my Anchor – vs. 20

1. God’s Forerunner
2. God’s Son, our High Priest

Conclusion: I can KNOW that I rest securely in Him. Though I may have had shipwrecks in the past or may feel as if I am sailing on very fretful seas, as long as I put my trust in God, He is an anchor that is secure…..I can know My Anchor Holds.

Devotional Outline: Kathy Becker