Back to top

Sabbath Bible Lessons

Healthful Living

 <<    >> 
Lesson 7 Sabbath, November 13, 2010

Physical Activity

“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:2).

“Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and equalizes the circulation of the blood.”—My Life Today, p. 130.

Suggested Reading:   Counsels on Health, pp. 173-202

Sunday November 7

1. WORK BRINGS HAPPINESS

a. What activity did God appoint to Adam for his well-being? Genesis 2:8.

“Had happiness consisted in doing nothing, man, in his state of holy innocence, would have been left unemployed. But He who formed man knew what would be for his best happiness, and He no sooner made him than He gave him his appointed work. In order to be happy, he must labor.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 77.

b. Why is a life of work destined to be a blessing? Psalm 128:2.

“Another precious blessing is proper exercise. Each organ and muscle has its work to do in the living organism. . . .

“Without such exercise the mind cannot be kept in working order. It becomes inactive, unable to put forth the sharp, quick action that will give scope to its powers.”—My Life Today, p. 130.

c. What does the written Word say about work versus indolence? 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 12.

“Parents should provide employment for their children. Nothing will be a more sure source of evil than indolence. Physical labor that brings healthful weariness to the muscles will give an appetite for simple, wholesome food.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 243.


Monday November 8

2. OVERWORKING

a. Even though we have been created to be active, what should we still remember? Mark 6:31 (first part).

“Bring into the day’s work hopefulness, courage, and amiability. Do not overwork. Better far leave undone some of the things planned for the day’s work than to undo oneself and become overtaxed, losing the courage necessary for the performance of the tasks of the next day. Do not today violate the laws of nature, lest you lose your strength for the day to follow.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 376.

“Overwork sometimes causes a loss of self-control. . . . God desires us to realize that we do not glorify His name when we take so many burdens that we are overtaxed, and, becoming heart-weary and brain-weary, chafe and fret and scold. We are to bear only the responsibilities that the Lord gives us, trusting in Him, and thus keeping our hearts pure and sweet and sympathetic.”—Messages to Young People, p. 135.

“It is not wise to be always under the strain of work and excitement, even in ministering to men’s spiritual needs; for in this way personal piety is neglected, and the powers of mind and soul and body are overtaxed. Self-denial is required of the servants of Christ, and sacrifices must be made; but God would have all study the laws of health, and use reason when working for Him, that the life which He has given may be preserved.

“Though Jesus could work miracles and had empowered His disciples to work miracles, He directed His worn servants to go apart into the country and rest.”—Gospel Workers, p. 243.

“Periods of rest are necessary for all, especially women.”—Evangelism, p. 494.

b. Although we should not neglect our mental and physical health, what should be our first objective in life? Matthew 6:31–33.

“That time is spent to good account which is directed to the establishment and preservation of sound physical and mental health. We cannot afford to dwarf or cripple a single function of mind or body by overwork or by abuse of any part of the living machinery. As surely as we do this, we must suffer the consequences.”—Child Guidance, p. 395.


Tuesday November 9

3. SEDENTARY HABITS AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE

a. What is indispensable for those who spend most of their time sitting?

“Exercise in the open air, for those whose employment has been within doors and sedentary, will be beneficial to health. All who can, should feel it a duty to pursue this course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained. They can return to their occupations with new life and new courage to engage in their labor with zeal, and they are better prepared to resist disease.”—Messages to Young People, p. 393.

b. What is the best diet for sedentary workers?

“Here is a suggestion for all whose work is sedentary or chiefly mental; let those who have sufficient moral courage and self-control try it: At each meal take only two or three kinds of simple food, and eat no more than is required to satisfy hunger. Take active exercise every day, and see if you do not receive benefit.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 310.

c. What do we need in order to overcome habits that may have become too sedentary? 2 Corinthians 8:12.

“Bring to your aid the power of the will, which will resist cold and will give energy to the nervous system. In a short time you will so realize the benefit of exercise and pure air that you would not live without these blessings.”—Child Guidance, pp. 339, 340.

d. What position in sitting or standing is highly recommended as being in harmony with God’s original plan? Ecclesiastes 7:29.

“Among the first things to be aimed at should be a correct position, both in sitting and in standing. God made man upright, and He desires him to possess not only the physical but the mental and moral benefit, the grace and dignity and self-possession, the courage and self-reliance, which an erect bearing so greatly tends to promote.”—Ibid., p. 364.


Wednesday November 10

4. PHYSICAL EXERCISE

a. What are the benefits of a physically active life? Psalm 104:23; Ecclesiastes 5:12.

“Not only will the organs of the body be strengthened by exercise, but the mind also will acquire strength and knowledge through the action of those organs.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 77.

“Brisk, yet not violent exercise in the open air, with cheerfulness of spirits, will promote the circulation, giving a healthful glow to the skin, and sending the blood, vitalized by the pure air, to the extremities.”—Ibid., vol. 2, p. 530.

“Digestion will be promoted by physical exercise.”—Ibid., p. 569.

b. What is the most beneficial type of exercise? Genesis 2:15.

“The greatest benefit is not gained from exercise that is taken as play or exercise merely. There is some benefit derived from being in the fresh air and also from the exercise of the muscles; but let the same amount of energy be given to the performance of helpful duties, and the benefit will be greater, and a feeling of satisfaction will be realized; for such exercise carries with it the sense of helpfulness and the approval of conscience for duty well done.”—The Adventist Home, p. 506.

“Exercise in the open air should be prescribed as a life-giving necessity. And for such exercises there is nothing better than the cultivation of the soil.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 265.

c. Instead of striving for conquest in the competitive sports practiced by the world, what should be our aim—and why? Zephaniah 2:3.

“Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize that is appalling.

“Other athletic games, though not so brutalizing, are scarcely less objectionable because of the excess to which they are carried. They stimulate the love of pleasure and excitement, thus fostering a distaste for useful labor, a disposition to shun practical duties and responsibilities.”—Education, p. 210.


Thursday November 11

5. SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

a. What is even more important than physical exercise? 1 Timothy 4:8, 7.

“Unless the mind is educated to dwell upon religious themes, it will be weak and feeble in this direction. But while dwelling upon worldly enterprises, it will be strong; for in this direction it has been cultivated, and has strengthened with exercise. The reason it is so difficult for men and women to live religious lives is because they do not exercise the mind unto godliness. It is trained to run in an opposite direction. Unless the mind is constantly exercised in obtaining spiritual knowledge and in seeking to understand the mystery of godliness, it is incapable of appreciating eternal things. . . . When the heart is divided, dwelling principally upon things of the world, and but little upon the things of God, there can be no special increase of spiritual strength.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 297.

b. What is to be included in our spiritual exercises? Acts 24:16. What should be our first and highest aim? Jeremiah 9:24.

“All the heavenly beings are in constant activity, and the Lord Jesus, in His lifework, has given an example for every one. He went about ‘doing good.’ God has established the law of obedient action. . . .

“Action gives power.”—My Life Today, p. 130.

c. What are the earthly benefits of spiritual diligence? Romans 12:10–12; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Philippians 2:14–16.


Friday November 12

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

a. Why has God provided work for the human race?

b. Name some of the hazards of overwork.

c. Name some of the hazards of an excessively sedentary lifestyle.

d. In what ways does physical exercise benefit us?

e. How can we put into action the concept of spiritual exercise?

 <<    >>