Lesson-17

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

HEALTHFUL PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY

Introduction: To prepare us for eternity, God needs to be able to effectively communicate with us. For Him to do that, we need clear minds and healthy bodies. As always, He gives us ample instruction in His word. Let’s see what we can learn.

1. What does Paul tell us our bodies are, and what else does he tell us, and what is his admonition? 1 Cor. 3:16,17; 6:19,20.

______________________________________________________________________________

2. What is God’s desire for us? 3 John 2.

______________________________________________________________________________

3. What is God’s promise, on what conditions? Ex. 15:26. See also Isa. 58:6-8.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: All of God’s promises are conditional, even salvation. We have to fulfill the conditions, and then God will fulfill His promises. Likewise, if we do what God asks us to do, and leave the consequences to Him, He will work things out for us. Matt. 11:29,30; 1John 5:3. There are rules to the game, and if we play by the rules, we will succeed. If our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, and we are to glorify God in our bodies, that means we are to have healthy bodies. If we want to have healthy, beautiful bodies, there are rules or laws of health we must follow. There are eight basic needs, rules or laws for health. They are air, sunlight, abstemiousness or temperance, rest, exercise, diet, water, and trust in divine power (trust in God). Let us consider them individually.

4. What was man’s original environment? Gen. 2:8-10,15.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: God placed man in a beautiful garden, and he was given the job of caring for it. Man’s home was a garden, and he was continually breathing in fresh, pure air. We need to be out in the open air as much as possible, but away from the pollution of the city. There are parks, even in the city where the air is a bit purer.

5. At creation, what did God create on the fourth day? Gen. 1:14-19; Ps. 136:8,9.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: When God planted the earth with trees and all other plants, including flowers, He created them with a need for fresh air and sunshine. For our spiritual health we also need fresh air and sunshine. See Ps. 119:105,130; Mal. 4:2. Here we see sun can mean God’s word, and it can also mean Christ. We need both if we are to grow.

6. There are many thoughts and admonitions on temperance in the Bible. What do the following verses tell you? 1 Cor. 9:25; Gal. 5:22,23; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Luke 21:34; Prov. 23:2; Phil. 4:5; 1 Cor. 10:31.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: Temperance covers more than eating and drinking, although we are told, “Wine is a mocker,” Prov. 20:1, and “Look not on the wine when it is red,” Prov. 23:31,32 (read also verses 29 and 30). Temperance is involved in all phases of our lives. We can overdo in almost everything. So, whatever we do, work or play, business or pleasure, let us be temperate. Leave that which is bad alone, and don’t be greedy with the good. This also applies spiritually.

7. What example did God set after finishing the work of creation? Gen. 2:2,3.

______________________________________________________________________________

8. How did Christ emphasize the need for rest? Mark 6:31; Matt. 11:28,29.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: God knew that man needed rest and provided for it right from the beginning. God gave us an example at Creation as Christ did in His life on earth. This was one reason for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is also a symbol of the eternal rest we shall have with Jesus in the earth made new. But it is not just the weekly rest that we need. There is nightly rest. Most people require six to eight hours of sleep. It is also good to have a few breaks during the day, not only at, but including mealtimes. Sometimes we also need to learn that we cannot do it all ourselves, and we need to turn everything over to the Lord, and to rest in the Lord. Ps. 37:7.

9. Why, when man was created, was he placed in the garden? Gen. 2:15.

______________________________________________________________________________

10. What does the Bible tell us of the need to work and exercise? Gen. 3:19; 2 Thess. 3:10; Prov. 6:6-11.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: Even before man sinned, God created in man the need for exercise and work, and gave man work to do. But after sin, it became even more necessary. See Eccle. 10:18; Prov. 12:24; 19:15; 20:4; 22:29; 23:21; 24:30-34. There is a saying: “The devil findeth work for idle hands to do.” Then, too, if we do not work and exercise our body, it becomes stiff and weak, and, in some cases, a limb or organ may shrivel up and become useless. And, vice versa, through use or exercise, a limb or organ often may become healthy again, like a broken leg that has to be kept in a cast for a long period of time. After the cast is removed, the leg has to be exercised to rehabilitate it. Likewise, our spiritual body and mind need to be exercised to keep them healthy. That means we have to study God’s word so that we can know what God expects from us, and we can tell others. Our work is to share the knowledge of the truth and help those in need both materially and spiritually.

11. What was man’s original diet? Gen. 1:29.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: Man’s original diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts and grains is still the best diet for man, and the less cooked food the better. It is much easier than it used to be to get fresh foods. Of course, if you are able to have a garden, that is even better, or even growing a few things in pots. Every little bit helps. Originally man communicated with God face to face every day. We still need that daily communion with Him through His word and prayer. We need to be refreshed and fed with His word. Jesus was a man of prayer. He often spent whole nights in prayer. Because of His close communion with God, He received strength to live a sinless life. In the same way we can become victorious.

12. When was man given permission to eat flesh food? Gen. 9:3.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: Man, with the exception of Noah and his family, had been destroyed by the flood because of their extreme wickedness. Right after the flood there was nothing else to eat until they were able to plant gardens, and the trees would start producing, but also because of the wickedness of men, God gave them permission to eat the clean meats. Because of the flesh diet, man’s life gradually became shorter. Before the flood, man lived hundreds of years. Noah lived 950 years, but by the time of Abraham they were down to about 200 years, and by the time of David it was 70 years. See Gen. 9:29; 11:32; 25:7; Ps. 90:10. By feeding on God’s word, man can stay alive and healthy spiritually.

13. What is Paul’s admonition? 1 Cor. 10:31.

______________________________________________________________________________

14. What has God done for His people? Isa. 43:20; Phil, 4:19.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: From the beginning, God has provided water for the inhabitants of the earth, and many times by miracles, as with the children of Israel during their forty years of wandering from Egypt to Canaan. See Ex. 15:22-25; 17:1-7; Num. 20:1-13. Man was created with a need for water, and God has abundantly provided. But when we do not drink the water our body needs, the body suffers, and often becomes sick, or is not as healthy as it could be. The water is needed for cleansing the body inside and out. It washes away impurities from our bodies inside and out.

15. What is God’s promise still? Isa. 33:16, last part.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: Again the promise is conditional. If we do God’s will, He will provide. God has also promised to protect us from the water. See Isa. 43:2.

16. In John 4:1-15 and on, what was the water Jesus was talking about? Jer. 2:13; 17:13; Amos 8:11.

______________________________________________________________________________

17. What physical and spiritual blessings come from trusting God? Ps. 37:3-5; Prov. 3:5,6; Isa. 26:3; 40:31; 41;10.

______________________________________________________________________________

Note: There are countless references in the Bible about the blessings of trusting in God. He is able and more than willing to provide every blessing. As we have already learned, His desire for us is prosperity, physically and spiritually, and good health, physically and spiritually. Trust in God brings provision for all of our needs, including peace, strength, and energy, and health. Let us remember we “are bought with a price,” the precious blood of Jesus, and let us “glorify ” God in our body. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Bible Studies Lesson 17 HEALTHFUL PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY Introduction: To prepare us for eternity, God needs to be able to effectively communicate with us. For Him to do that, we need clear minds and healthy bodies. As always, He gives us ample instruction in His word. Let’s see what we can learn. 1. What does Paul tell us our bodies are, and what else does he tell us, and what is his admonition? 1 Cor. 3:16,17; 6:19,20. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is God’s desire for us? 3 John 2. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. What is God’s promise, on what conditions? Ex. 15:26. See also Isa. 58:6-8. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: All of God’s promises are conditional, even salvation. We have to fulfill the conditions, and then God will fulfill His promises. Likewise, if we do what God asks us to do, and leave the consequences to Him, He will work things out for us. Matt. 11:29,30; 1John 5:3. There are rules to the game, and if we play by the rules, we will succeed. If our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, and we are to glorify God in our bodies, that means we are to have healthy bodies. If we want to have healthy, beautiful bodies, there are rules or laws of health we must follow. There are eight basic needs, rules or laws for health. They are air, sunlight, abstemiousness or temperance, rest, exercise, diet, water, and trust in divine power (trust in God). Let us consider them individually. AIR 4. What was man’s original environment? Gen. 2:8-10,15. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: God placed man in a beautiful garden, and he was given the job of caring for it. Man’s home was a garden, and he was continually breathing in fresh, pure air. We need to be out in the open air as much as possible, but away from the pollution of the city. There are parks, even in the city where the air is a bit purer. SUNLIGHT 5. At creation, what did God create on the fourth day? Gen. 1:14-19; Ps. 136:8,9. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: When God planted the earth with trees and all other plants, including flowers, He created them with a need for fresh air and sunshine. For our spiritual health we also need fresh air and sunshine. See Ps. 119:105,130; Mal. 4:2. Here we see sun can mean God’s word, and it can also mean Christ. We need both if we are to grow. TEMPERANCE 6. There are many thoughts and admonitions on temperance in the Bible. What do the following verses tell you? 1 Cor. 9:25; Gal. 5:22,23; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Luke 21:34; Prov. 23:2; Phil. 4:5; 1 Cor. 10:31. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Temperance covers more than eating and drinking, although we are told, “Wine is a mocker,” Prov. 20:1, and “Look not on the wine when it is red,” Prov. 23:31,32 (read also verses 29 and 30). Temperance is involved in all phases of our lives. We can overdo in almost everything. So, whatever we do, work or play, business or pleasure, let us be temperate. Leave that which is bad alone, and don’t be greedy with the good. This also applies spiritually. REST 7. What example did God set after finishing the work of creation? Gen. 2:2,3. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. How did Christ emphasize the need for rest? Mark 6:31; Matt. 11:28,29. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: God knew that man needed rest and provided for it right from the beginning. God gave us an example at Creation as Christ did in His life on earth. This was one reason for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is also a symbol of the eternal rest we shall have with Jesus in the earth made new. But it is not just the weekly rest that we need. There is nightly rest. Most people require six to eight hours of sleep. It is also good to have a few breaks during the day, not only at, but including mealtimes. Sometimes we also need to learn that we cannot do it all ourselves, and we need to turn everything over to the Lord, and to rest in the Lord. Ps. 37:7. EXERCISE 9. Why, when man was created, was he placed in the garden? Gen. 2:15. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. What does the Bible tell us of the need to work and exercise? Gen. 3:19; 2 Thess. 3:10; Prov. 6:6-11. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Even before man sinned, God created in man the need for exercise and work, and gave man work to do. But after sin, it became even more necessary. See Eccle. 10:18; Prov. 12:24; 19:15; 20:4; 22:29; 23:21; 24:30-34. There is a saying: “The devil findeth work for idle hands to do.” Then, too, if we do not work and exercise our body, it becomes stiff and weak, and, in some cases, a limb or organ may shrivel up and become useless. And, vice versa, through use or exercise, a limb or organ often may become healthy again, like a broken leg that has to be kept in a cast for a long period of time. After the cast is removed, the leg has to be exercised to rehabilitate it. Likewise, our spiritual body and mind need to be exercised to keep them healthy. That means we have to study God’s word so that we can know what God expects from us, and we can tell others. Our work is to share the knowledge of the truth and help those in need both materially and spiritually. DIET 11. What was man’s original diet? Gen. 1:29. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Man’s original diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, and nuts and grains is still the best diet for man, and the less cooked food the better. It is much easier than it used to be to get fresh foods. Of course, if you are able to have a garden, that is even better, or even growing a few things in pots. Every little bit helps. Originally man communicated with God face to face every day. We still need that daily communion with Him through His word and prayer. We need to be refreshed and fed with His word. Jesus was a man of prayer. He often spent whole nights in prayer. Because of His close communion with God, He received strength to live a sinless life. In the same way we can become victorious. 12. When was man given permission to eat flesh food? Gen. 9:3. ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Man, with the exception of Noah and his family, had been destroyed by the flood because of their extreme wickedness. Right after the flood there was nothing else to eat until they were able to plant gardens, and the trees would start producing, but also because of the wickedness of men, God gave them permission to eat the clean meats. Because of the flesh diet, man’s life gradually became shorter. Before the flood, man lived hundreds of years. Noah lived 950 years, but by the time of Abraham they were down to about 200 years, and by the time of David it was 70 years. See Gen. 9:29; 11:32; 25:7; Ps. 90:10. By feeding on God’s word, man can stay alive and healthy spiritually. 13. What is Paul’s admonition? 1 Cor. 10:31. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ WATER 14. What has God done for His people? Isa. 43:20; Phil, 4:19. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: From the beginning, God has provided water for the inhabitants of the earth, and many times by miracles, as with the children of Israel during their forty years of wandering from Egypt to Canaan. See Ex. 15:22-25; 17:1-7; Num. 20:1-13. Man was created with a need for water, and God has abundantly provided. But when we do not drink the water our body needs, the body suffers, and often becomes sick, or is not as healthy as it could be. The water is needed for cleansing the body inside and out. It washes away impurities from our bodies inside and out. 15. What is God’s promise still? Isa. 33:16, last part. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Again the promise is conditional. If we do God’s will, He will provide. God has also promised to protect us from the water. See Isa. 43:2. 16. In John 4:1-15 and on, what was the water Jesus was talking about? Jer. 2:13; 17:13; Amos 8:11. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ TRUST IN GOD 17. What physical and spiritual blessings come from trusting God? Ps. 37:3-5; Prov. 3:5,6; Isa. 26:3; 40:31; 41;10. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: There are countless references in the Bible about the blessings of trusting in God. He is able and more than willing to provide every blessing. As we have already learned, His desire for us is prosperity, physically and spiritually, and good health, physically and spiritually. Trust in God brings provision for all of our needs, including peace, strength, and energy, and health. Let us remember we “are bought with a price,” the precious blood of Jesus, and let us “glorify ” God in our body. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.