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1. THE NECESSITY OF WATER

a. What is recorded in Scripture concerning one of humanity’s most basic needs? John 4:7; Proverbs 25:21.

b. In the days of the patriarchs who lived in semi-desert areas, what was one of their most serious problems? Genesis 26:18–20.

c. How would you describe the importance of water?

“In health and in sickness, pure water is one of heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system and assists nature to resist disease. The external application of water is one of the easiest and most satisfactory ways of regulating the circulation of the blood. A cold or cool bath is an excellent tonic. Warm baths open the pores and thus aid in the elimination of impurities. Both warm and neutral baths soothe the nerves and equalize the circulation.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 237.

“Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues. . . . If those who are afflicted would assist nature in her efforts by the use of pure, soft water, much suffering would be prevented.”—My Life Today, p. 139.

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2. WATER, A GREAT BLESSING

a. Name some ways in which God reveals His great mercy to the human race. Psalm 104:10, 11, 13; Matthew 5:45.

b. In what circumstances is it necessary to use a lot of water?

“Many have never experienced the beneficial effects of water, and are afraid to use one of Heaven’s greatest blessings. Water has been refused persons suffering with burning fevers, through fear that it would injure them. If, in their fevered state, water had been given them to drink freely, and applications had also been made externally, long days and nights of suffering would have been saved, and many precious lives spared. But thousands have died with raging fevers consuming them, until the fuel which fed the fever was burnt up, the vitals consumed, and have died in the greatest agony, without being permitted to have water to allay their burning thirst.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 453.

c. Why do people too often shun the use of water treatments—yet how can we be benefited by such treatments? Proverbs 26:16; 13:4.

“Water treatments, wisely and skillfully given, may be the means of saving many lives. Let diligent study be united with careful treatments. Let prayers of faith be offered by the bedside of the sick. Let the sick be encouraged to claim the promises of God for themselves.

“The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.

“In the East, water was called the ‘gift of God.’”—My Life Today, p. 139.

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3. HARMFUL DRINKS

a. What harmful beverages should be avoided? Proverbs 20:1; 23:20, 21, 29–32. What must we realize about the so-called “green tea” and other stimulating “high-energy” drinks of today—even when they do happen to include some nutritious properties as advertised?

“Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. . . . Tea is poisonous to the system. Christians should let it alone. The influence of coffee is in a degree the same as tea, but the effect upon the system is still worse.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 420, 421.

“Tea acts as a stimulants and, to a certain extent, produces intoxication. The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart and short-lived energy to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten; the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more vivid.

“Because of these results, many suppose that their tea or coffee is doing them great good. But this is a mistake. Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. Their effect is produced before there has been time for digestion and assimilation, and what seems to be strength is only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility.

“The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils; for they wear away the life forces.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 326.

b. What kind of wine was served at the marriage of Cana and was also recommended to Timothy? Isaiah 65:8; John 2:7–10; 1 Timothy 5:23.

“The wine which Christ provided for the feast, and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. To this the prophet Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine ‘in the cluster’ and says, (Isaiah 65:8). . . .

“The unfermented wine which He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 149.

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4. THE WISE USE OF WATER

a. In drinking cold water, what mistake should be avoided?

“Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. Ice water or ice lemonade, drunk with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again. . . . Eat slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid there is taken into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest. . . . But if anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water, drunk some little time before or after the meal, is all that nature requires. . . . Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 420.

b. What is necessary in preparing to meet with God? Isaiah 1:16, 17; Genesis 35:2.

c. How important is cleanliness—and how does it benefit us both spiritually and physically? Exodus 19:10; 40:12; Hebrews 10:22.

“God requires purity of heart and personal cleanliness now, as when He gave the special directions to the children of Israel. If God was so particular to enjoin cleanliness upon those journeying in the wilderness, who were in the open air nearly all the time, He requires no less of us who live in ceiled houses, where impurities are more observable and have a more unhealthful influence.”—Counsels on Health, p. 82.

“The skin needs to be carefully and thoroughly cleansed, that the pores may do their work in freeing the body from impurities. . . . Whether a person is sick or well, respiration is more free and easy if bathing is practiced. By it, the muscles become more flexible, the mind and body are alike invigorated, the intellect is made brighter, and every faculty becomes livelier. The bath is a soother of the nerves. It promotes general perspiration, quickens the circulation, overcomes obstructions in the system, and acts beneficially on the kidneys and urinary organs. Bathing helps the bowels, stomach, and liver, giving energy and new life to each. It also promotes digestion, and instead of the system being weakened, it is strengthened. Instead of increasing the liability to cold, a bath, properly taken, fortifies against cold, because the circulation is improved.”—Ibid., p. 104.

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5. COMPLETE CLEANLINESS

a. What spiritual truths are illustrated by thirst and water? Psalm 42:1; John 4:10, 14; 7:37, 38.

“The cry of Christ to the thirsty soul is still going forth, and it appeals to us with even greater power than to those who heard it in the temple on that last day of the feast [of tabernacles].”—The Desire of Ages, p. 454.

b. What work of Christ is symbolized by water? John 13:5, 8–10.

c. How deeply do we need cleanliness, and how is it obtained? Psalm 51:2, 7–10; James 4:8.

“The cleansing must begin in the heart and mind, and flow forth in the actions.”—The Review and Herald, August 20, 1903.

“God is purifying a people to have clean hands and pure hearts to stand before Him in the judgment.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, bk. 1, p. 239.

d. How can we obtain complete cleansing? 1 John 1:9.

“Let no man stop short of entire, unreserved surrender to God. Begin the work in the heart.”—That I May Know Him, p. 129.

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REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

a. Why is water so precious?

b. How can we promote more appreciation for water as a remedial agency?

c. What problems result when poor choices are made in quenching thirst?

d. Explain some of the health benefits derived from bathing.

e. Why is water used to illustrate the work of the Holy Spirit in humanity?