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Sabbath Bible Lessons

God’s Health Plan for Humanity

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Lesson 12 Sabbath, June 20, 2015

Education in Health

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6).

“True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.”—Counsels for the Church, p. 202.

Suggested Reading:   Education, pp. 195-201

Sunday June 14

1. THE ADVANTAGES OF EDUCATION

a. What is the value of educating God’s workers? Proverbs 1:5; 2:10, 11.

“There is a dearth of educated ability among us. . . . It is impossible for anyone to foresee to what he may be called. He may be placed in situations where he will need quick discernment and well-balanced arguments, and therefore it is for the honor of Christ that well educated workers should be multiplied among us; they will be better able to communicate the truth in a clear, intelligent way, and the truth should be presented in a way that will be as free as possible from defects.”—Christian Education, p. 138.

b. Is it worthwhile to make an effort to obtain an education in health lines? Proverbs 2:2–5; 8:11.

“The educated physician will find entrance in our cities where other men cannot.”—Medical Ministry, p. 242.


Monday June 15

2. EDUCATION IN HEALTH LINES

a. Even if we don’t become professionals in the medical field, why should all of us have at least a basic knowledge of health? Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.

“It is our duty to study the laws that govern our being and conform to them. Ignorance in these things is sin. . . .

“The study to which to give thought is that which concerns natural life, a knowledge of oneself. . . . It is the house in which we live that we need to preserve, that we may do honor to God who has redeemed us. We need to know how to preserve the living machinery, that our soul, body, and spirit may be consecrated to His service. As rational beings we are deplorably ignorant of the body and its requirements.”—Healthful Living, pp. 13, 14.

“It is far better to prevent disease than to know how to treat it when contracted. It is the duty of every person, for his own sake, and for the sake of humanity, to inform himself in regard to the laws of life and conscientiously to obey them. All need to become acquainted with that most wonderful of all organisms, the human body. They should understand the functions of the various organs and the dependence of one upon another for the healthy action of all. They should study the influence of the mind upon the body, and of the body upon the mind, and the laws by which they are governed.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 128.

b. Why should ministers and gospel workers have a knowledge of health? 3 John 2; Psalm 67:2.

“The ministers in our land need to become acquainted with the science of physiology. Then they will be intelligent in regard to the laws that govern physical life, and their bearings upon the health of mind and soul. Then they will be able to speak correctly upon this subject. In their obedience to physical laws they are to hold forth the word of life to the people, and lead up higher and still higher in the work of reform.”—Healthful Living, p. 16.

“It is well, in presenting the truth to unbelievers, first to present some subjects upon which they will agree with us. The principles of health and temperance will appeal to their judgment, and we can from these subjects lead them on to understand the binding claims of the fourth commandment.”—Counsels on Health, p. 545.


Tuesday June 16

3. WHEN TO BEGIN

a. When is the proper time to begin learning about health? Proverbs 22:6; Ecclesiastes 3:1.

“From the first dawn of reason, the human mind should become intelligent in regard to the physical structure.”—Healthful Living, p. 13.

“It is of the highest importance that men and women be instructed in the science of human life, and in the best means of preserving and acquiring physical health. Especially is youth the time to lay up a stock of knowledge to be put in daily practice through life.”—Ibid., p. 15.

“The early education of youth shapes their characters both in their secular and in their religious life.”—Lift Him Up, p. 270.

b. Why shouldn’t we postpone the education of our children in the basic rules for preserving health? Hosea 4:6.

“Habits once formed are hard to overcome. The reform should begin with the mother before the birth of her children; and if God’s instructions were faithfully obeyed, intemperance would not exist.

“It should be the constant effort of every mother to conform her habits to God’s will, that she may work in harmony with Him to preserve her children from the health and life destroying vices of the present day. Let mothers place themselves without delay in right relations to their Creator, that they may by His assisting grace build around their children a bulwark against dissipation and intemperance. If mothers would but follow such a course, they might see their children, like the youthful Daniel, reach a high standard in moral and intellectual attainments, becoming a blessing to society and an honor to their Creator.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 225, 226.

“The importance of training children to right dietetic habits can hardly be overestimated. The little ones need to learn that they eat to live, not live to eat. The training should begin with the infant in its mother’s arms. The child should be given food only at regular intervals, and less frequently as it grows older. It should not be given sweets, or the food of older persons, which it is unable to digest. Care and regularity in the feeding of infants will not only promote health, and thus tend to make them quiet and sweet-tempered, but will lay the foundation of habits and will be a blessing to them in after years.”—Ibid., pp. 229, 230.


Wednesday June 17

4. METHODS OF EDUCATION

a. What can we learn from Jesus’ method of teaching? What did the people say of Him? Mark 1:22; John 7:46. How does this method apply to us in teaching people about healthful living?

“Jesus’ manner of teaching was beautiful and attractive, and it was ever characterized by simplicity.”—Christian Education, p. 126.

“The teachings of Christ were marked with a simplicity, dignity, and power heretofore unknown to [His hearers], and their involuntary exclamation was, ‘Never man spake like this man’ (John 7:46).”—

Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 747.

“The reason that Christ spoke as no other man spoke was that He lived as no other man lived. If He had not lived as He did, He could not have spoken as He did. His words bore with them convincing power, because they came from a heart pure and holy, burdened with love and sympathy, beneficence and truth.”—In Heavenly Places, p. 237.

b. What was one way Jesus taught the people? John 4:7, 9, 10.

“In all true teaching the personal element is essential. Christ in His teaching dealt with men individually. It was by personal contact and association that He trained the Twelve. It was in private, often to but one listener, that He gave His most precious instruction.”—Education, p. 231.

c. What is the value of little things for God’s workers? Luke 16:10.

“Neglect of little things often leads to neglect of larger responsibilities.”—Gospel Workers, p. 145.

“Never underrate the importance of little things. Little things supply the actual discipline of life. It is by them that the soul is trained that it may grow into the likeness of Christ, or bear the likeness of evil. God help us to cultivate habits of thought, word, look, and action that will testify to all about us that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him!”—Child Guidance, pp. 129, 130.

“Elisha . . . is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah, his master. As the prophet’s personal attendant, he continued to prove faithful in little things, while with daily strengthening purpose he devoted himself to the mission appointed him by God.”—Education, pp. 58, 59.


Thursday June 18

5. EDUCATION THROUGHOUT ETERNITY

a. What is the object of true education, and what does this education include? Deuteronomy 28:13.

“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life.”—Education, pp. 15, 16.

b. Although there is no disease in the New Earth, what will the education of the redeemed encompass? Revelation 22:1,2; 1 John 3:2.

“Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One. A branch of this school was established in Eden; and, the plan of redemption accomplished, education will again be taken up in the Eden school.”—Ibid., p. 301.

“In the future state . . . it is in service that our greatest joy and our highest education will be found.”—Ibid., p. 309.

c. Describe the educational theme that will be appreciated and cherished throughout eternity. Matthew 23:10; Zechariah 13:6; Revelation 21:22.


Friday June 19

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What advantage does education bring to God’s workers?

2. What branches of education should have priority in our life, and why?

3. When are the foundations of education in health to be laid—and why?

4. How can a teacher be most effective in teaching his or her students?

5. Why is there a need for education in the New Earth, and what will this education include?

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