Lesson 1: Your Bible and Your Health

 A Healthy Lifestyle for Your and Your Family

Lesson 1: Your Bible and Your Health

Good health. It is something that we tend to take for granted until it eludes us, then it becomes of the utmost importance to us. We know that without robust health we will be unable to continue our normal living routine; or to carry out our daily duties, holding a job, caring for our families. It is not just our own lives that are affected by poor health, but also that of our families as well. When illness strikes, we seek for any means by which we can regain wellness and a return to abundant health of body, and consequently of mind, for whatever affects the body also affects the mind. And whatever affects the mind affects the spirit. Very few people, even among Christians, make a connection between a healthy mind and body and our service to God. They see the two as separate and distinct; not at all connected. Yet the beloved apostle, John, wished that all might enjoy health of body in the same proportion as they enjoy spiritual health. The great wise man, Solomon, told us that God's word is life and health to the body. Jesus said that His words are spirit and they are life. He told us to taste and see that the Lord is good. 

God cares not just about our spiritual welfare but about our physical welfare as well. He designed and made us, and He knows what will keep us in the best spiritual, physical, and mental health. The laws he has given were not given to be arbitrary and deprive us of the pleasures of life, but that we might enjoy abundant health and long life. What we eat and drink, what we wear, what we hear and see, everything we do, even what we think and how we interact with others, affects all aspects of our health. The wisest man to ever live tells us, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Proverbs 3:1,2. Whether you are in your youth, your golden years, or somewhere in between, God wants you to have the best of health. Even if we have abused our bodies by wrong habits, we are never too old to make changes that can make our lives more comfortable. 

In these lessons we will study God's Word to discover what health principles are revealed there that, when acted on, assure us we can have healthy minds and bodies and healthy families. What does God tell us about how we should live and eat and drink for physical, mental, and spiritual health? We will look at how our bodies are made and how they operate; we will examine the best course to follow that we might live in as healthy a condition as possible. He who made us knows best how we should live to preserve good health, and how we can get well if we are sick.

All you need to do these lessons is a desire to know what God's word says, a King James version of the Bible, and a pen or pencil. To do the study, first pause and ask God to send the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are about to read and study. Next, read each question, then read the scripture text that is given, find the answer in the text and write it on the appropriate line on the separate answer sheet. God’s blessings be with you.

1. How dear are God's people to Him? Zechariah 2:8

2. How do we know that God is interested in out health? Matthew 8:16,17

3. Why does He have such an interest in our health?

A. Genesis 1:27

B. 3 John 2 

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.” Genesis 2:7-9.

4. What does Jesus understand about our bodies and our health? Hebrews 2:14

“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:10, 17, 18.

5. Why does He understand? Isaiah 53:4, 5

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.” Matthew 9:36.

6. What kind of health does God show among the nations? Psalm 67:1, 2

7. How can we know this saving health for ourselves? Proverbs 4:20-22

The words of Scripture tell us much about health of body and of mind and how to maintain it. This is known as the law of health and is as important to Christians as the moral law that we call the ten commandments. Those who have followed these laws have greatly benefited from them by long life and sound health.

8. What does the story of Jacob tell us about suffering from ill health when we get old? Genesis 43:26-28.

Jacob was about 130 years old at the time.

9. When Jacob was ill, what was his mind like during his illness? Genesis 48:1, 17-19

Even in illness, his mind was still clear. Nor was he an invalid. “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.” Genesis 49:33. The Bible makes no mention that Jacob was ever sick before the illness he had just before his death.

10. What was the health of Moses like at the end of his 120 years of life? Deuteronomy 34:7

11. What feat did Caleb perform when he was 85? Joshua 14:10-14

12. You will notice that the Bible patriarchs we have been looking at were followers of the true God, and were obedient to Him. What was the health of the nations around these followers of God like? 

A. Deuteronomy 28:22 

B. verses 27-29

C. verses 60-61

13. What promise had God made to the children of Israel concerning their health? Exodus 15:26

“And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” Deuteronomy 7:15.

14. How does God say we are to present our bodies to Him? Romans 12:1

15. We make our bodies a living sacrifice by doing what to the flesh? 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.

16. We learn from the Bible that our health is affected by the things that we do everyday. List some of these things and how they affect our health. 

A. Psalm 34:19, 20

B. Proverbs 3:7, 8 

C. Proverbs 14:30

D. Proverbs 16:24 

E. Isaiah 58:6-11

F. Exodus 23:25 

G. Psalm 41:1-3 

Next Lesson: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made