Westminster’s “Orange Idea” is a monthly, family-friendly, 1-page resource to help you live out your faith at home. But what is “Orange,” you might ask?

As Julie and Matthew explained, it’s not just a colour—it’s a way of thinking: Yellow represents the light of Jesus shared by the church. Red represents the blood and bond of the family. So when you put Yellow and Red together you get…

Orange!

So an “Orange idea” is when the church helps people live out their faith in their families and homes. After all, the home is the primary place where faith is formed.

So this monthly resource will help people of different ages learn about and live out their Christian faith in tangible, practical ways.

So here’s the Orange Idea for June 2018: Physical health is a spiritual matter.

Here’s where we’re going with this one:

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) Paul writes: “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.”

God created us to be special and to glorify him. So it’s wise to take care of our bodies—they don’t belong to us, but to God! We are temples of the Holy Spirit!

So… This month we challenge you to get physical! Turn off your technology and focus on the family and your health. Go for a hike in the woods, or take the family for a bike ride, swim together at the pool or beach. And as you exercise discuss the amazing work that God has done to give you an awesome body to glorify him and do his work. Talk about the best foods and healthiest ways to keep your body strong for the glory of God.

As a part of the creation story in Genesis we read: “Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (Genesis 1:28, NLT)

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. During your family time this week discuss the amazing work that God did in creating each person differently.

2. Brainstorm some ideas of how you can stay healthy and fit as a family.

3. Consider these ideas:
a. Food
• Talk about healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, and sometimes foods
such as pizza and ice cream.
• Consider planting some vegetables such as lettuce for your salads
b. Drink
• Talk about the benefits of water to the body i.e. gives us energy, feeds the
brain, flushes out toxins.
• Discuss some ways that you can make drinking water fun! Add fruits or
veggies to your water i.e. oranges, or cucumbers, make your own popsicles
with juice and water mixed etc. Make your own lemonade and juices so you
can control the added sugar, and it’s FUN!c. Exercise
• Get outside; bike ride, hike, walk along the beach, spelunking
• Try something new; rock climb, trampoline park, waterski
• Discuss other ways to stay healthy; walk instead of drive, take the stairs
instead of the elevator, choose a parking spot further away.

4. When we put down our technology we focus more on the people around us so make an effort to fully engage in the activities you come up with and put away your phone or tablet and enjoy each other.

In June, remember that physical health is a spiritual matter. Be strong and well so that you can serve God and live our godly priorities as a follower of Jesus. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit!

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The orange philosophy originates with Reggie Joiner in his helpful book Think Orange.