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As a Bible study leader, you have many responsibilities. You are primarily concerned with feeding your flock with spiritual fodder, but the flesh also needs nourishment.
You can do a lot better than a box of donuts and a pot of coffee in the church basement. With a little creativity, you can throw an event that people want to attend just for the food – while also nurturing their souls as a bonus. Here are six tips for preparing food for your next Bible study.
1. Remember, safety first
Serving a large group of people means adhering to good food handling techniques. For example, you should keep the hot buffet food at 140 ° F temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. If you are expecting a legion, you can keep cold food in the refrigerator, take out a small amount at a time, and replenish the stock when it is low.
Do you bring any outside food, like pizza? If so, you still want to keep it warm until everyone arrives. You can even keep the soft oven hot boxes – they will not catch fire before reaching 400 ° F. That way your late arriving guests can still enjoy the ooey-gooey, cheesy goodness as much.
2. Check for potential food allergies and dietary restrictions
Bible study is a matter of fellowship. You want everyone to be able to participate. However, people with food allergies or dietary restrictions might feel left out if you don’t consider their needs.
However, you can make many dishes to duplicate. For example, you can find paleo-vegan snack recipes that will appeal to those on low-carb, cruelty-free diets. Please label everything and bring an EpiPen in your first aid kit in case someone with severe allergies needs immediate intervention.
3. Provide the right supplies
Hopefully, you wouldn’t have a biblical barbecue without a big supply of towels. If you do, the people doing the laundry might get more than a little angry with all the stains.
At a minimum, you will need enough plates, cups, and utensils for everyone. You can find eco-friendly bamboo if you go the disposable route. Otherwise, it is more environmentally friendly to use standard plates and cutlery.
You will also need service supplies. Bring lots of spoons and maybe a silicone utensil holder to keep the spatula for each dish separate and minimize cross-contamination.
4. Bring a little extra
It’s a good idea to send out full invitations with RSVP instructions to get staffed for the amount of food you need. You don’t want to shut out some members or run out of treats before everyone has had a chance to eat.
The amount you need depends on whether you are planning a few snacks or a full meal. For example, you should plan around 1 pound of food per person if you have a barbecue. Estimate about 1/2 pound for children. Most adults can eat two to three slices of pizza, and children one to two.
5. Portion and distribution of leftovers
Even if you measure well, you might have some leftovers. Please don’t waste this food when people are in need. If you plan to divide what is left among the different participants, make sure you have plenty of storage containers or bags.
If you have a lot to share, you might consider donating what’s left. After all, charity is an act of Christian goodness. Before your Bible study, connect with homeless shelters and pantries that will make the best use of your surplus treats.
6. Make cleaning less tedious
The only nasty part of any party is the cleaning. Fortunately, you can minimize the mess with a little strategy. Create dipping stations for plates, for example. All you need is a large plastic container, lukewarm water, and some dish soap. Food scraps will peel off, making dishwashing easier.
Also include trash cans and recycling bins around your banquet space. The potluck style also helps to minimize cleanup a bit, as each attendee takes their offering plates home in their dishwasher.
Follow These Six Tips When Preparing Food For Your Next Bible Study
Sometimes you have to nourish the body before you can nourish the soul. Follow these six tips when preparing food for your next Bible study for an unforgettable event!
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