Foreword

Is anyone around us sick? If so, then this lesson quarterly certainly is needed! The whole world seems to be getting sicker and sicker. It would be wonderful if we could be totally free of disease. How timely it is for all who trust in the Great Physician to apply His healing balm to our heart and to our bodies that we may be victorious witnesses to truly glorify His name in these last days.

“The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred years ago—a revelation of Christ. A great work of reform is demanded, and it is only through the grace of Christ that the work of restoration, physical, mental, and spiritual, can be accomplished.”—The Ministry of Healing, p.143.

Is diet important? “The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright, moral character will be hindered. . . . Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting”(Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 405).

Would we benefit from knowing more about exercise, air, sunlight, temperance, and rest? “Those who perceive the evidences of God’s love, who understand something of the wisdom and beneficence of His laws, and the results of obedience, will come to regard their duties and obligations from an altogether different point of view. Instead of looking upon an observance of the laws of health as a matter of sacrifice or self-denial, they will regard it, as it really is, as an inestimable blessing” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 147).

What about water? “There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should become intelligent in its use in simple home treatments” (Ibid., p. 237).

What about dress? “The amount of physical suffering created by unnatural and unhealthful dress cannot be estimated. Many have become lifelong invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Displacements and deformities, cancers and other terrible diseases, are among the evils resulting from fashionable dress” (Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 634, 635).

“Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God, . . . and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of His people.”—Our High Calling, p. 271.

These are just a few areas to uplift the quality of our Christian experience. All is for our best good, so let’s study with an open mind and enjoy the lessons!

The General Conference Sabbath School Department