Tuesday, June 11, 2013

One Day VBS Idea!

Does your congregation need an idea for a 1 day VBS?  Because we attend a small congregation with very little children, we decided this year to do a 1 day VBS and reach out to the community and local churches through this effort.  We will have it on a Saturday for 2 hrs. in the afternoon.  Below is an idea of how we plan to work our VBS this year and the lessons provided.  This might be a helpful idea for your congregation!  See pictures below.

“Christ Our Carpenter Made Our World”
 One Day VBS 2013

Discovery Learning Center Rotation:  “The Universe Story Room”

1.)    Room Decorations: 
·        Black Light
·        Black sheets & bulletin board paper (to cover room & ceiling)
·        Glow in the dark stars (stick all over black sheets and paper
·        Solar system foam balls sprayed with different color glow-in-the dark spray paint (hanging from the ceiling)
·        Tape, tacks, paper clips, etc….. (hanging purposes)

2.)    Bible Lesson: God Created the Universe (Day, night, sun, moon, & stars)
·        Teachers will teach the lesson
·        Lime Green & Hot Pink Poster Board that will glow (Questions written on poster board)


Bible Learning Center Rotation:  “Creation Banner Activity” (purchased from oriental trading)

1.)    Room Decorations:
·        Days 1-7 creation décor and/or bulletin board
·        Plastic or paper table cloths

2.)    Activity: (Creation Banner – Self Adhesive)
·        Teachers will teach 7 days of creation lesson and explain creation banner
·        Each child will get a creation banner to put together


Craft Rotation: “Dinosaur Sun Catchers”

1.)    Room Decorations:
·       Dinosaur décor and/or bulletin board
·        Plastic or paper table cloths

2.)    Craft: (Dinosaur Sun Catchers)
·        Teacher will teach lesson
·        Each child will get a Dinosaur Sun Catcher to paint with suncatcher paint, paint brushes, and suction hook

Refreshment Rotation:

1.)    Room Decorations:
·        Solar system & table décor
·        Plastic or paper table cloths

2.)    Food Menu: (Donations from church members)
·        Corn Dogs
·        Chips
·        Cookies
·        Kool-Aid
  
Miscellaneous Items:
Construction Hats & Name Tags - Ordered from oriental trading


Curriculum Lessons:
Discovery Learning Center Lesson

Theme: Christ the Carpenter Made Our World
Memory Verse: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth.” Col. 1:16a

Points to Emphasize:
  • The Universe has not always existed. Heb. 1:10
  • The Universe did not create itself. Job 28:4-6
  • The Universe was created in six literal days. Ex. 20:6, Gen. 1:5, Num. 7:12
  • God spoke the Universe into existence out of nothing. Psm. 33:9, Heb. 11:3

Application and Discussion:
  • What does the word chaos mean? (disorder, confusion)

  • What was the shape of the earth before creation (without form and void)

  • God took nothing and spoke the Universe into existence.

  • Read aloud Gen. 1:14-19

  • What did God speak into existence on the first day? (light)

  • This light was temporary because the sun wasn’t created until the fourth day.

  • God created a temporary light on the first day, but then created permanent lights on the fourth day which are the sun, moon, and stars.

  • Turn on the black light, then turn off the classroom lights.  Tell the small children what you are going to do a head of time so that they do not become frightened.  Show the children the night time sky.

  • Ask the children to use their telescopes and locate the following in the night time sky: sun, moon, Saturn, stars

  • What did the Lord make to rule the day? sun

  • What did the Lord make to rule the night? Moon

  • How many stars do you think are in this room? (approx. 1,100) How many stars do you think are in the real sky? (scientist estimate 200 billion stars)

  • Read aloud: “The host of heaven cannot be numbered...” Jer. 33:22 “He counts the numbers of the stars; He calls them all by name.” Psm. 147:4

  • Stars vary in temperature and size.  The hottest stars have a surface temperature of 50,000 degrees, while the coolest stars measure around 5,000 on the surface.  The hottest stars are a bright, blue-white color, while the coolest appear as dim, red stars.  Some stars known as “super giants” are more than 1000 times bigger than our sun, while small stars known as neutron stars have a radius of only 6 miles.

  • God made the sun, moon, and stars for seasons, days, and years; so we had a way to measure time.

  • What is the closest star to the earth? The sun, it is 93 million miles away.

  • How does the sun help us out? (It gives light and heat.  It’s energy can be converted into electricity and its rays help plants grow)

  • Read aloud: Lift up our eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number, He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.” Isa. 40:26

  • Read aloud: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament show His handiwork.” Psm. 19:1

  • Read aloud Gen. 1:6

  • What Did God speak into existence on the second day? (firmament)

  • What is firmament? (atmosphere; literally “thin, stretched out space)

  • Read aloud: Gen. 1:7-8

  • What does God’s creation tell us about Him? (that He exists, He is powerful, and that He cares for us)

  • Read aloud Rom. 1:20

  • Help the children memorize their memory verse

  • Emphasize that the world was not the result of some random accident, but a part of the Lord’s special creation.


* Sing VBS songs if you have time during the rotation.


Bible Learning Center Lesson

Theme: Christ the Carpenter Made Our World
Lesson: “Days of Creation Bible Lesson”
Memory Verse: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth.” Col. 1:16a
Activity: Days of Creation Banner

Introduction: Say, “I am feeling hungry this morning and really wish I had a nice big chocolate chip cookie for a snack. I wonder if I could just say “Let there be cookie” and by the power of my words create a cookie out of nothing?” Hold out your hand and say it in a commanding voice  - look surprised when nothing happens. Ask for a volunteer to explain what went wrong. Explain that today's lesson will help them to understand more about when God created the world.

Days of Creation Bible Story (Genesis)
* For the younger children you can use the Giant Creation Story Book to teach lesson
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (1:1)
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)
God called the light “day” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day. (1:5)
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.”(1:6)
God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. (1:8)
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. (1:9)
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. (1:11)
And there was evening, and there was morning – the third day. (1:13)
God made two great lights – the greater to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars, (1:16)
And there was evening, and there was morning – the fourth day. (1:19)
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. (1:21)
And there was evening, and there was morning – the fifth day. (1:23)
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that moved along the ground, and wild animals, each according to their kind.” (1:24)
So God created man in his own image, the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (1:27)
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning- the sixth day. (1:31)
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. (2:2)

Review: Quiz the children to see how much they recall from the lesson.
·        “What did God create on the first day of creation?” heavens, earth, light
·        “What did God create on the second day of creation?” the sky to separate the water
·        “What did God create on the third day of creation?“ land, plants with seeds, plants with fruit with seeds
·        “What did God create on the fourth day of creation?” sun, moon and stars
·        “What did God create on the fifth day of creation?” birds and the animals in the waters “What did God create on the sixth day of creation?” land animals and humans
·        “What did God do on the seventh day of creation?” rested

True or False: Ask the children to choose which of the following statements are correct. If the statement is correct they should stand, if it is false they should remain seated.
·        God used Lego Blocks to make the first humans. {False}
·        God simply spoke and everything began to exist. {True}
·        God made the animals in His Image. {False}
·        In the beginning there was no death {True}
·        Adam & Eve were real people like us {True}
·        Over time monkeys turned into humans. {False}

Song: “Seven Days of Creation Song”
* The teacher can use the creation numbers while singing the song with the students

Pray: Lead the children in prayer giving thanks to God for the goodness of the creation.

Activity: Explain the Creation Banner Activity and help students do the activity.


VBS Craft Lesson

Theme: Christ the Carpenter made our world!
Memory Verse: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth.” Col. 1:16
Craft Activity: Dinosaur Sun catchers

Where did dinosaurs come from?

When God created the world, dinosaurs were one of His creations.  God created all the animals.  God made everything in the entire universe—people, stars, planets and all that there is.  Like Adam, the bodies of the first dinosaurs were formed from the dust of the earth.  Man and dinosaurs lived at the same time.

Are dinosaurs in the Bible?

Dinosaur like creatures are mentioned in the Bible.  The Bible’s best description of a dinosaur like animal is in Job chaper 40 saying: “Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.  What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly!  His tail ways like cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.  His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron.  He ranks first among the works of God… Job 40:15-19

In Job God describes a great King of the land animals like some of the biggest dinosaurs, the Diplodocus and Apatosaurus.  It was a gigantic plant-eater with great muscles and very strong bones.  The long Diplodocus had leg bones so strong that he could have held three others on his back.

The behemoth was not afraid.  They did not need to be; they were very huge.  Behemoth tails were so long and strong that God compared them to cedars—one of the largest and most spectacular trees of the ancient world.  After the dinosaurs died out, many people forgot about them.  They became extinct and the fossil skeletons that are in museums today did not begin to be put together until about 150 years ago.  Today, some people have mistakenly guessed that these creatures mentioned in the Bible might be an elephant of a hippopotamus.  But those animals certainly do not have tails like the thick, tall trunks of cedar trees!

Application and discussion:
  • The Lord spoke animals, man, insects, and dinosaurs into existence.

  • Evolution is a false theory which says that all living things evolved from common ancestors in a very long process of change.  The theory rejects that all life was designed and created at the beginning of time by God.

  • The Lord did not use natural processes to bring the universe, earth, plants, animals, and man into existence.  Instead, he used the miracle of creation.

  • Read aloud: Psm. 33:8-9

  • Man and dinosaurs lived together on the earth.

  • Read aloud: Ex. 20:11

Songs:

God Made Me and All of You

sing to the tune of “London Bridge”

God made me and all of you
All of you,
All of you,
God made me and all of you.
He loves us!
(point to self and others when you say me and you. Hug self at the end)
He made frogs and birdies too
Birdies too,
Birdies too,
He made frogs and birdies too
Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
(Hop around like frogs/flap around like birds)

 

God Made Me

sing to the tune of “London Bridge”

(Make a sun above your head by placing your hands together)
GOD MADE THE SUN!
(Make wave motions with your hands at your side)
GOD MADE THE SEA!
(Place the palms of your hands together and wiggle them like a fish)
GOD MADE THE FISHEYS!
(Point to your chest)
AND GOD MADE ME!
(Make a sun above your head by placing your hands together)
THANK YOU FOR THE SUN!
(Make wave motions with your hands at your side)
THANK YOU FOR THE SEA!
(Place the palms of your hands together and wiggle them like a fish)
THANK YOU FOR THE FISHEYS!
(Point to your chest)
AND THANK YOU FOR ME!!!

 

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands!
He’s got the itty, bitty, baby in His hands,
He’s got the itty, bitty baby in His hands,
He’s got the itty, bitty baby in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands!
He’s got momma and papa in His hands,
He’s got momma and papa in His hands,
He’s got momma and papa in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands!
He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands,
He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands,
He’s got you and me, sister, in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands!

 

Jesus Made Me Just Like Him

To the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” Touch each part as you sing.
Jesus made me just like Him
Eyes and ears and nose and chin
Hands and fingers, feet and toes
Heart that loves and hair that grows.
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
He made me just like Him.

Seven Days of Creation Song
Tune of “Are You Sleeping Brother John”
God created: God created
Night and Day: Night and Day
That was on the first day: That was on the first day,
It was good: It was good.
God created: God created,
Sky and Clouds: Sky and Clouds
That was on the second day: That was on the second day
It was good: It was good.
God created: God created,
Land and Plants: Land and Plants
That was on the third day: That was on the third day,
It was good: It was good.
God created: God created,
Sun, Moon, and Stars: Sun, Moon, and Stars
That was on the fourth day: That was on the fourth day
It was good: It was good.
God created: God created,
Birds and Fish: Birds and Fish
That was on the fifth day: That was on the fifth day
It was good: It was good.
God created: God created,
Creatures on Land: Creatures on Land
People too! People too!
That was on the sixth day: That was on the sixth day
It was good: It was good.
Then God rested: Then God rested
From His work: From His work.
That was on the seventh day: That was on the seventh day
All was good: All was good.
Let’s sing praises: Let’s sing praises
To our God: To our God
He is everywhere, giving love and care
God is good: God is good
God is Good.


The Discovery Learning Center - "The Universe Room"

Bible Learning Center - "Creation Days 1-7"
Crafts - "Dinosaur Sun Catchers"
Refreshments

 Open Assembly
Closing Assembly

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

There's a Great Day Coming

We as human's don't like to hear disheartening news; and when it comes to truth, often times we'd just rather shy away from it, than face reality.  According to the Word of God we will all stand one on one with God in Judgement.  What a sad day that will be for some, and a happy day that will be for others.  Below are some excuses that the Word of God says won't work on that coming day:

Lord, I didn't know enough. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Lord I didn't know which church to join. "And I say.... I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). Search, and investigate to know the truth (John 7:52)

Lord, I didn't believe I could hold out. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).  

Lord, I thought sincerity was all I needed. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter.... but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Lord, I thought my preacher was right. "They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Lord, I didn't think I was good enough. "Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Lord, I was a afraid to offend my family. "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)

Lord, the church was not popular. "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth...but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:5-8).

Lord, there were too many hypocrites in the church. "We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Lord, I thought there was plenty of time. "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee..." (Luke 12:20).

- Author Unknown

For a free Bible Correspondence Course mailed to your home, please contact Seth Sullivan at the Waynesboro Church of Christ at 601-270-3270 or me at 601-517-6545.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Church of the Bible

The following track was written by Allen Webster from "House to House Heart to Heart" regarding the church Jesus built: It's beginning, organization, name, worship, mission, and plan of salvation found in God's written and inspired word the Bible.

The church of the New Testament follows the Bible as its only creed.  No man-made creed should be used to supplement Scripture.  Instead it must follow the inspired word of God, which is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).  Anything else should be rejected (Galatians 1:6-9).

The Church's Beginning
Founder: Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18)
Where: Jerusalem, as predicted in Isaiah 2:3 and fulfilled in Acts 2:5-47
When: On the Day of Pentecost, after the ascension of Jesus (Acts 2)

Organization
Head: Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23)

Elders: 
Oversee the local congregations (Titus 1:5)
Feed the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:28)
Meet the qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Members: 
Remain faithful (Acts 2:41-47)
Serve in the kingdom (Galatians 5:13)
Use talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

Name
As the bride of Christ, the church wears Christs name: (Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:23; Revelation 21:9)
The Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:23)
Churches of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16)

The followers of Christ are referred to in several ways:
Disciples (John 15:8; Acts 11:26)
Saints (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1)
Brethren (Luke 8:21; Galatians 6:1)
Children of God (Galatians 3:26; 1 John 2:1)
Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)

Worship
Singing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)
Praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Teaching (Acts 20:7)
Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
Contribution (1 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Mission
Spread the gospel in order to save souls and glorify God (1 Timothy 4:16; Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:19-20).

Plan of Salvation
No one can join the church or be voted in by others.  God adds one to the church (Acts 2:47).  One must follow God's plan in order to be added:
Hear (Romans 10:17)
Believe: Must be an obedient faith, for even the demons believe (Acts 16:31; James 2:19)
Repent (Luke 13:3)
Confess Christ (Romans 10:10)
Be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 3:27)
Persevere to the End (Revelation 2:10)

For a free Bible Correspondence Course mailed to your home, please contact Seth Sullivan at the Waynesboro Church of Christ at 601-270-3270 or me at 601-517-6545.








Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Ladies' Day Speakers & Theme Ideas!


If your congregation needs a speaker for your next Ladies’ Day event, there a large amount of wonderful women speakers in the brotherhood.  In case you are struggling with trying to figure out who to contact, below is a list of the lady speakers who live in the South; the majority speak at Polishing the Pulpit Lectureship and do an excellent job. These women would be great for Ladies' Days!  You can either find them on Facebook or Google their congregation to contact them via their home congregation or contact House to House, Heart to Heart.  I have heard several of these ladies speak and an * will indicate the ladies I have heard. 

Alabama:
  • Mallory Baker: Dalraida church of Christ, Montgomery
  • Kelli Barker: Midway church of Christ, Trinity
  • *Cindy Colley: West Huntsville church of Christ, Huntsville
  • *Jana Lyons: Wetumpka church of Christ, Wetumpka
  • *Celine Sparks: Mastin Road church of Christ, Huntsville
  • Teresa Taylor: Northport church of Christ, Northport
  • Melissa Webster: Jacksonville church of Christ, Jacksonville
  • Wendy Wadley: Hoover
Florida:
  • Luverne Shepherd: Westside church of Christ, Pensacola
Georgia
  • Sameea Collins: Woodstock church of Christ, Woodstock (scollins127@windstream.net) 
Mississippi:
  • Sami Nicholas: Foote Street church of Christ, Corinth
  • Bonnie Rushmore: Winona church of Christ, Winona
  • *Betty Choate: Winona church of Christ, Winona
  • *Virginia Hamblin: Lake Harbour Drive church of Christ,  Ridgeland
  • June Franks: South Huntington Street church of Christ, Kosciusko
  • *Teresa Hampton: Siwell Road church of Christ, Jackson
  • Sandra Foster: Iuka Church of christ Iuka, Mississippi 
Tennessee:
  • Shanna Anderson: Zion church of Christ, Gainesboro
  • *Evelyn Apple: East Tennessee School of Preaching
  • Renita Archey: East Side church of Christ, Cleveland
  • *Sheila Butt: Anderson Bend church of Christ, Hickman County
  • *Janie Craun: White Bluff church of Christ, White Bluff
  • Leah Faughn: Lebanon Road church of Christ, Nashville
  • Amy Judd: Overton County
  • Beverly Meadows: East Tennesse School of Preaching
  • *Jane Washington: Sevierville church of Christ, Sevierville
  • *Diane Winkler: Huntington church of Christ, Huntington
Arkansas:
  •  Dr. Wyveta Kirk: Benton
Ladies’ Teacher’s Workshop
  • April Meacham: Batesville, MS
  • Teah McWhorter: Pell City, AL

Ladies' Day Themes (decoration theme in parentheses):

If your congregation is looking for a good theme for your Ladies' Day, here is a list of ideas. Feel free to post ideas that are not listed in the comment box.  

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade (lemons)
The woman's armor (armor)
Seeking Spiritual Beauty (cosmetics)
Keeping it Sweet and Simple (Cupcakes)
A Light Guiding Me (Lighthouses or candles)
Who is Your Anchor (Nautical)
Jesus, the Master Teacher (School house)
This is War (army)
Showers of Blessings (rainy day, umbrellas)
Fill Your Bucket (Flowers in buckets)
Healthy mind, healthy body, healthy soul (fitness)
Remove the rocks and the brook stops singing (nature)
Seasons of Thanksgiving (fall)
Balancing Your Act (circus, trapeze)
From Trash to Treasure (trash and treasure)
Finding the time... (clocks)
How Does My Garden Grow? (garden)
Sister to Sister
Fashioned by the Master (clothing and fashion)
Women at Work (construction)
Reflections (mirrors)
Just How Much Can We Bear? (bears)
A Day at the Spiritual Spa (spa)
What's in Your Bag? (purses)
Believe, Belong, Be Changed
Beautifully and Wonderfully Made
The Potter and the Clay (clay pots)
Packing for the Trip [to our eternal destination] (luggage)
The Woman Behind the Mask (masquerade)




A Virtuous Women Who Can Find, For Her Worth is Far Above Rubies: “A Checklist for Christian Women”


Do you desire to be a woman who is far more precious than a ruby, which in fact is the most valuable jewel on Earth? If we want to be valuable in the sight of our husband, children, family, neighbors, and most importantly God; His Word gives us an example of such a woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. This scriptural example will guide Christian Women in becoming a woman who is worthy of praise and honor. 

Below is a checklist of the traits of the virtuous woman, which will be helpful in examining whether we truly portray these traits in our lives as Christian women:

Virtuous Woman Checklist:
by Amber Gilreath
  • Strong: "Who can find a virtuous woman" (31:10) is rendered "woman of strength", literally strength of character. This woman fears God, loves Truth, and hates sin. (Ruth 3:11, Prov 12:4). This type of woman with strong moral character (virtuous) will not make her family ashamed... "She Girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms" (31:17) and "strength and honor are her clothing (31:25). To be girded is to be ready for action. She is ready with strength that energizes her to be able to accomplish physical tasks that need to be taken care of because she is not weakened by sloth or laziness as we will see.
  • Valuable: "Her price is far above rubies" (31:10). Why are precious stones so costly? Because they are so rare. This woman is not like everyone else: her moral strength and character and inner beauty make her like a rare gem that is very valuable.
  •  Trustworthy: "The heart of her husband doth safely trust her" (31:11). This woman has done things that cause her to be worthy of her husband's trust. Examples include not being wasteful with money (31:11) and knowing she has good intentions always for him (31:12) which we will discuss further. Do we give people reasons to trust us? Or are we deceptive, selfish and wasteful?
  • Thrifty, Frugal: "So that he shall have no need of spoil" (31:11). She does not waste her time or money on unproductive, slothful activities: she is a productive asset to the family. She is not a financial liability, wastefully shopping too much, incurring credit card debts, and causing financial loss; rather, she even contributes to the finances with her industrious talents from the home as we will see.
  • Good: "She will do him good not evil" (31:12). Her life and her deeds are a constant blessing to her husband. She always wants what is best for him, and he never has to worry that her intentions are bad.
  • Consistent: "All the days of her life" (31:12). This woman does good to her husband every single day. He can count on her today, tomorrow, and always to be there and be good to him. He doesn't have to worry that she will threaten to leave or quit. She is going to be there "until death do us part". She will not break her vows.
  • Diligent, Hard-working: "Seeketh wool and flax and workethwillingly with her hands" (31:13) and "riseth also while it is yet night" (31:15) and "her lamp goeth not out by night" (31:18) and "eateth not the bread of idleness" (31:27). Over and over again, we see that this woman is not lazy! She finds the things she needs and then works with them, not with a forced, bad attitude, but willingly with delight or pleasure. She uses her time and resources to benefit her family at all hours of the day. She is not one to stay up all night and sleep in all day, like a lazy person.
  • Provider of Food: "bringeth food from afar" (31:14) and "giveth meat to her household" (31:15). She goes and gets food for her family to eat and serves it to them. Many wives today neglect providing food for their families, making their children or husbands find their own food.
  • Careful Decision-Maker: "considereth a field, and buyeth it" (31:16). The word consider here demonstrates careful thought into the matter of the field. She does not make rash, impulsive decisions.
  • Purposeful Buyer: "with the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard" (31:16). She bought the field carefully and with a purpose: a purpose that had the benefit of her family and the future in mind-- she planted a vineyard there.
  • Industrious:  "Sees that her merchandise is good" (31:18). She purchased a field, planted a vineyard, and was able to experience the rewards of her hard work. Her reaping is good because her sowing was good... "she maketh fine linen and selleth it" (31:24). She used her talents to make money for her family.
  • Provider of Clothing: "Layeth her hands to the spindle" (31:19) and "Not afraid of the snow for her household for her household are clothed" (31:21). She provided the necessities of life for her family, including clothing. Not only did she make sure they had it, she made it herself, another example of her hard work and resourcefulness. She was not afraid of them getting sick or dying in the cold because she was taking care of them.
  • Charitable: "Stretcheth out her hands to the poor" (31:20). This woman had a drive to help those in need, even outside of her own house, that could only be driven by a sincere compassion and sense of mercy for others.
  • Supporter and Contributor to her husband's successes: "Her husband is known at the gates" (31:23). Isn't it interesting that we find this phrase among a description of this virtuous woman. The old saying goes, "Behind every good man is a good woman". A woman can be a tremendous influence for good or ill on her husband. Where would this man be without his Godly, industrious, faithful, loving, hard-working wife (Prov 12:4)? Are you a hindrance or catalyst to your husband's success and happiness?
  • Confident in her future: "She will rejoice in time to come" (31:25). This woman can be happy about the future because of her choices she has made in the present. She is working hard and knows that the rewards of her labor are yet to come, physically and spiritually.
  • Wise: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom" (31:26). This woman knows when to speak and what to say. She is careful with her word choices. She relays instruction from her mouth. She uses her mouth to teach her children (Prov 1:8).
  • Kind:  "in her tongue is the law of kindness" (31:26). Our speech reveals our heart. Out of a kind and loving heart will come kind and loving words. This woman was kind and spoke kindly to others.
  • Guardian: "She looketh well to the ways of her household" (31:27)."Looketh well" is rendered "spieth" in psalm 37:32 and a watchman in Ezekiel 3:17. This woman is watching out for anything that might endanger her family. Some parents don't watch their children: they don't know where their children are, what they do, what they watch, or who they hang out with. I love this quote;"Parents should be looking well to their moral habits, their religious instruction, and attendance on the means of grace; giving them time for secret prayer, and reading the Word of God, bringing them to the daily ordinance of family worship; inculcating the careful observance of the Lord's Day; anxiously watching over their manners, habits, and connections...Who can have the claim to a virtuous woman, who does not feel this weight of family responsibility?" (Charles Bridges, Proverbs)...She is also concerned about the well-being of her family. We have already seen examples of her providing food and clothing for her family. She watches out for them and makes sure they have what they need.
  • Loved by her children and husband. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." (31:28) "Many daughters have done virtuously but thou excellest them all" (31:29). She has invested herself into the ones she loves, and she is rewarded with their praise and adoration. They thought of her as the best wife and mom ever. Do your husband and children love, adore, and praise you?
 Finally, this woman is praised and will be rewarded for choosing godliness, hard work, kindness, wisdom, charity, thriftiness and good over worldliness, laziness, meanness, ignorance, greed, wastefulness and evil:

 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.
Prov 31:30-31

This is the woman who God wants praised. A virtuous woman. We see here how we can be the woman that God wants us to be. We should strive to be pleasing to God and seek his praise by following the example of the virtuous woman.

References: http://www.salinechurchofchrist.org/articles/view/virtuouswoman, http://www.thewestsidechurch.us/images/Sermons%201/virtuous_woman,_the.htm,  http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/homefam/prov31.htm,