Sunday
October 3
1. STUDY THE HUMAN BODY
a. To what subject does God desire that we give first place? Matthew 6:33; Psalm 86:11; Proverbs 9:10.
b. Why should we take interest in the study of physiology? Psalm 139:14.
“Parents should seek to awaken in their children an interest in the study of physiology. From the first dawn of reason the human mind should become intelligent in regard to the physical structure. . . . Among the studies selected for children, physiology occupy an important place. All children should study it. And then parents should see to it that practical hygiene is added.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 125.
c. What must we realize about the close connection between our physical body and our spiritual health? Psalm 119:73.
“The laws that govern our physical organism, God has written upon every nerve, muscle, and fiber of the body. Every careless or willful violation of these laws is a sin against our Creator.”—Education, pp. 196, 197.
Monday
October 4
2. “WONDERFULLY MADE”
a. What can we learn of the functions of the different parts of the body? 1 Corinthians 12:18, 14.
“[The students] see that they are indeed ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14), [and] they will be inspired with reverence. Instead of marring God’s handiwork, they will have an ambition to make all that is possible of themselves, in order to fulfill the Creator’s glorious plan. Thus they will come to regard obedience to the laws of health, not as a matter of sacrifice or self-denial, but as it really is, an inestimable privilege and blessing.”—Education, p. 201.
b. Could one part of the body suffer without affecting other parts? 1 Corinthians 12:26.
“The harmonious action of all the parts—brain, bone, and muscle — is necessary to the full and healthful development of the entire human organism.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 426.
c. How should we care for our body? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
“Fearfully and wonderfully has the Creator wrought in the human frame, and He bids us make it our study, understand its needs, and act our part in preserving it from harm and defilement.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 271.
d. Why is it important to preserve with good health even the smallest parts of our organism? 1 Corinthians 12:25.
“The endowments of mind and body are to be carefully guarded. Our gifts are not to be weakened by self-indulgence. Every power is to be carefully preserved, that it may always be ready for instant use. No part of the physical organism is to be weakened by misuse. Each part, however small, has an influence on the whole. The abuse of one nerve or muscle lessens the usefulness of the whole body. Those for whom Christ has given His life should bring their habits and practices into conformity to His will.”—The Upward Look, p. 379.
Tuesday
October 5
3. THE CURRENT OF LIFE
a. Upon what does the life of each cell depend? Leviticus 17:14; Deuteronomy 12:23.
“In order to have good health, we must have good blood; for the blood is the current of life. It repairs waste and nourishes the body. When supplied with the proper food elements and when cleansed and vitalized by contact with pure air, it carries life and vigor to every part of the system. The more perfect the circulation, the better will this work be accomplished.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 271.
b. What is needed so that the blood, with oxygen and nutrients, is carried to all parts of the body? Genesis 2:8, 15.
“Simple lessons in the use of the various organs of the body should be given to children to commit to memory. The idea that it is physical exercise that strengthens every organ and gives new life and nourishment to every part of the living machinery should be firmly imprinted on the mind. This is the law that God has ordained shall govern the body. Every part must be exercised. . . . The brain must plan and devise, and the muscles must carry out the will of the brain.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, pp. 222, 223.
“Perfect health requires a perfect circulation.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 293.
c. How does fermentation in the stomach affect the whole body?
“Disturbance is created by improper combinations of food; fermentation sets in; the blood is contaminated and the brain confused.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 110.
d. What should we ask of God in order to do what is best for our well-being? Psalm 51:10.
“A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to everyone who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 176.
Wednesday
October 6
4. THE DANGER OF INTOXICATED BLOOD
a. What is the most common way of intoxicating the blood? Isaiah 22:13.
“Luxurious dishes are placed before the children—spiced foods, rich gravies, cakes, and pastries. This highly seasoned food irritates the stomach, and causes a craving for still stronger stimulants, . . . but they are permitted to eat between meals, and by the time they are twelve or fourteen years of age they are often confirmed dyspeptics.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 235, 236.
“Persons who have indulged their appetite to eat freely of meat, highly seasoned gravies, and various kinds of rich cakes and preserves, cannot immediately relish a plain, wholesome, and nutritious diet. Their taste is so perverted they have no appetite for a wholesome diet of fruits, plain bread, and vegetables. They need not expect to relish at first food so different from that which they have been indulging themselves to eat.”—Ibid., p. 158.
b. To what serious consequences do spiced and stimulating foods lead?
“Gross and stimulating food fevers the blood, excites the nervous system, and too often dulls the moral perceptions, so that reason and conscience are overborne by the sensual impulses. . . . It was in love that our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils that result from unrestrained indulgence of appetite.”—Ibid., p. 243.
“The tables of Christian parents should not be loaded down with food containing condiments and spices.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 126.
c. In most of the cases, how can the use of drugs be replaced, and why? John 4:7 (last part); Ezekiel 47:12.
“The Lord has taught us that great efficacy for healing lies in a proper use of water. These treatments should be given skillfully. We have been instructed that in our treatment of the sick we should discard the use of drugs. There are simple herbs that can be used for the recovery of the sick, whose effect upon the system is very different from that of those drugs that poison the blood and endanger life.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 288.
Thursday
October 7
5. THE CREATOR AND CARETAKER OF THE BODY
a. Who maintains the human body? Psalms 36:9; 66:8, 9.
“The Creator watches over the human machinery, keeping it in motion. Were it not for His constant care, the pulse would not beat, the action of the heart would cease, the brain would no longer act its part.”—Counsels on Health, p. 586.
b. Why, then, do diseases exist? Hosea 4:6 (first part); Isaiah 24:4, 5.
“The greatest cause of human suffering is ignorance on the subject of how to treat our own bodies.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 241.
c. What should we learn in order to enjoy health and prolong life? 1 Corinthians 10:31; 3:9.
“If the habits of eating and drinking are kept intelligently under the control of the human agent, and he eats and drinks to the glory of God, his life will be lengthened. Eat to live; do not live to eat.”—This Day With God, p. 123.
“All the varied capabilities that men possess, soul, body, and spirit, are given them of God to be so educated and trained that they may reach the highest possible degree of excellence. The human agency must cooperate with the divine purpose, and in so doing man is pronounced a laborer together with God. Every faculty, every attribute with which God has endowed us is to be used to His name’s glory.”—Ibid., p. 90.
Friday
October 8
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
a. Why do children need to have a deep understanding of physiology rather than just merely being taught rules of health?
b. How are we blessed by the study of physical health?
c. Why is blood so important?
d. What are the hazards of eating spicy foods?
e. What must be our goal with regard to our physical body?