CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL - Topic: FOCUS ON CHRIST FOR A HEALTHY LIVING - DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH, 2024

CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: FOCUS ON CHRIST FOR A HEALTHY LIVING – DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH, 2024

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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
It is the will of God that believers live in good health.

DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH, 2024.

HYMN: S S & S 235 “MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE”

TOPIC: FOCUS ON CHRIST FOR A HEALTHY LIVING

TEXT: Prov. 14:30; 3 John 2; 2Cor.10:3-4; Phil 4:6-8; 1 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet 2: 24.

INTRODUCTION:
When anyone gets born again, he/she becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (John 3: 3: 2 Cor 5: 17 ). Every new creation is a spirit being that has regenerated and shares in God’s nature being born of God, has a soul and lives in a body that is still subject to disease and death but will be transformed at the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ into an immortal body ( 1 Thess. 5:23 ). Our spirits need to keep maturing into the fullness of the statute of Christ, our souls need to be transformed by the renewing of the mind and made subject to the dictates of the Word of God. This ensures that the functioning of our minds and emotions and the exercise of our wills is in alignment with God’s purpose(James 1:21, Roman 12: 1-3 ). Also, we need to our bodies in a healthy state to enable us maximize the actualization of God’s plan for our lives and ministries, individually. The focus of this study therefore is to help believers draw on scriptural principles to learn how to enjoy God’s provisions for our mental and physical bodily health

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the lesson are to :-

Emphasize need for the believer to keep his heart in a healthy state.;
Highlight some new convenant realities for a positive mindset on health;
Discuss why the believer should live healthy; and
Appreciate how a believer can remain in good health.

BIBLE TRUTH:

Q 1. HOW SHOULD THE BELIEVER KEEP HIS HEART IN A HEALTHY STATE?
Our attitudes, words and actions are a reflection of the state of our hearts and often this also reflects in the state of our physical bodies. There is abundant evidence from research by modern medicine on the close relationship between the state of our hearts and minds and the health of our bodies. But this had been documented in details in God’s word, long before the scientific theories explaining the relationship were understood by Physicians. The Scriptures enjoin us, “…..guard your heart for it affects everything you do” (Proverbs 4: 23). Again, the Scriptures state that ” A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy, the rottenness of the bones” ( Prov 24:30). and “A merry heart does good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Prov. 17 : 22).

The Scriptures also enjoin us not to fear. Again the Scriptures declare ” Be anxious for nothing… (Philippians 4:6 ). but rather by “prayer and supplications make your request known to God with Thanksgiving..”. with the promise that the peace of God which passeth all understanding., shall KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS through Christ Jesus” The word “keep” is rendered as “protect” , “guard” and “garrison” in modern Bible translation. The implication is that allowing our mindd to be in a state of anxiety over anything gives the devil the opportunity to invade our hearts and minds. Capitec and introduce disastrous thoughts that make us lose trust in an dependence on God and destroy our mental health. This is the origin and pathway to many kinds of mental health disorders. The only effective preventive measure is not to leave in fear and anxiety but to commit the things that bother um minds into the hands of God (Philippians 4: 6 – 8).

Q 2. WHAT ARE SOME NEW COVENANT REALITIES THAT CAN HELP THE CHRISTIAN MAINTAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET AS IT RELATES TO OUR HEALTH?.
Scripture States in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue , and if there be any praise , think on these things,” ( Phil. 4:8 KJV ).
The best way to comply with this is to meditate on God’s word often and allow the Scriptures guide our thoughts and attitudes. ( Psalm 1:2, Joshua
1:8) . The following are some truths taught by God’s word that should guide our thoughts and attitudes as it relates to our health:
A. The born again Christian has been saved from sin , its guilt and consequences.
Jesus Christ paid the price for your salvation through His precious blood that was shed on the Cross of Calvary ( Heb. 9:12; 1 Cor. 6:20 ). However , some christians while accepting the fact that Jesus Christ died for their sins are ignorant of the many far– reaching implications. One of this is the fact that the child of God has been delivered from the authority of darkness.(Colossians 1:13 ). We are no longer under the control of Satan and he is not at liberty to afflict us with mental and physical sicknesses . We must insist on the freedom that Jesus Christ purchased for us and not give way to fear and worry.

B. The new creation has been given divine authority over the devil and his agents and over life’s circumstances.
( Luke 10:19; Romans 5:17, Ephesians 2:6, Romans 8:36-39). Instead of living in the fear of the devil and his wiles , the believer must rise up to his responsibility as God’s representative on earth and exert his /her God given authority over the devil his cohorts. God has not left us helpless but made a provision for us to exercise influences over the circumstances that we face daily in life through faith in God’s word ( Matt 18:18, Mark 11:23 ).
C. Among the benefits of the death of Christ on the cross is the provision for the Christian to enjoy divine health and a sound mind ( 1 Peter 2: 24 second Timothy 1 :7, 3John 2 )
There are many avenues by which the Christian can enjoy divine health and healing daily. These include the basic exercise of faith by the Christian , prayer of agreement by believers and being anointed by the elders of the local church ( Matthew 18:18 James 5 :14 -15, 1 John 5: 14-15 ).

D. The Christian should not live a sedentary lifestyle (1Tim. 4:8 )
Why the primary focus of the Christian Life is promoting godliness, Paul stated that “Physical exercise has some value but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next”
In this comparison Paul clearly shows that for the Christian physical exercise brings some reward in enhancing our quality of life on earth and this is important! Physical exercise clearly helps the Christian keep in shape, helps promote immunity against common illnesses and a good state of mental health. It is therefore important that the Christian incorporate an adequate amount of physical activity and exercise into his/ her daily life. This will protect us from diseases that are common in people who are physically inactive and keep our physical hearts and bodies in a good functional state daily. As we get older, this becomes even more important! A good dose of daily physical exercises is needed to keep our muscles, joints and vital organs in healthy shape so we can engage in life activities and ministry without stress.

E. Taking prescribed medication is not against God’s will (Jeremiah 8:22.) Why did Christian most continually look up to God for divine healing and the upkeep of his/ her body, in Paul’s advice to Timothy where he encouraged to take a little wine for medicinal purposes not for pleasure he shows that where there is a medical remedy for a health problem a Christian faces, there is nothing wrong with the Christian utilizing it . However, even when using the prescribed medications, the trust of the believer must remain on God.

Q3. WHY SHOULD A BELIEVER LIVE HEALTHY?
The following are some of the reasons why the believer should live healthy:
A. It is God’s desire that we be in good health as clearly stated in 3 John 2. The Lord stated “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness”( John 10:10 ). The Lord Jesus made this possible by His death on the cross and as stated in Isaiah 53:5b ” ….with his stripes we are healed. This realization must make the Christian desire to live a healthy life and seek the Father always to make what the Son actualized on the cross his/ her daily experience.

B. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and precious to the Lord( 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Romans 12:1 ). The Lord manifests Himself through the Christian individually and cooperately. When a Christian is stricken with a debilitating illness his / her ability to be a witness for Christ or engage in any other aspect of ministry to the body of Christ or the outside world is limited. When we are healthy , we can be maximally useful and functional in the hands of Christ to fullfil His purpose.
C. The Scriptures states that God has good plans for the individual lives of His people as captured in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord , they are plans of good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”
We cannot enjoy God’s good plans for us and actualize it fully when we are unhealthy. This applies to both God’s plans for our lives and our calling as believers.

Q4. HOW CAN A BELIEVER BECOME HEALTHY/REMAIN IN GOOD HEALTH?
A. The believer must recognize that God’s purpose is for him /her to live a healthy life and exercise faith continually through prayers to make this possible ( 3 John 2, John 10:10 ).
B. The believer should ensure that he eats a balanced diet. This implies a diet with the adequate complement of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, fiber, minerals and water to meet the nutritional needs of an individual. A balanced diet does not have to be expensive rather dietary components that are readily available , accessible, and affordable should be chosen to make it sustainable.
C. The believer should guard his/ her heart with all diligence and avoid negative emotions such as fear and anxiety. He/she should pray regularly committing what ever stress or factors he/ she encounters into God’s hands (Philippians 4:6-8).
The focus of his/her thoughts should be on the Word of God and he/ she should trust God to cater for all that is needed with thanksgiving. That way, the believer can experience God’s peace which exceeds human understanding ( Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6, Proverbs 12:25 ).

D. The believer should make regular physical exercise a part of his daily routine, to ensure that his/her body is in the best of shape possible physically ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ).

E. The believer should ensure that he/ she makes provision for adequate recreation and rest in his/her daily routines and not just work.

F. The believer should avail himself/ herself of the avenues for preventive medical care such as regular medical check up and preventive treatments and modalities such as immunizations and prescribed medications.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
From the study, it is apparent that God wants His children to enjoy good health both mentally and physically. This will not come without the exercise of our will and actions. We must live our lives by faith depending on the Lord daily for divine health. In addition, we all need to deliberately incorporate into our daily lives the measures and principles discussed that will ensure that we live healthy.

MEMORY VERSE:
( 3 JOHN 2 )
Beloved, I wish above all things , that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”

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