Guided Discussion: Physical Health

A guided discussion on the topic of physical health

Opener

“What are some habits that are healthy for our bodies?”

Prompts if no response: Eat nutritious foods God created to be healthy for us, get regular exercise, get enough sleep, talk through stressful situations, and connect with our friends and family.

Discussion question 1:

List some unhealthy habits and what they can do to our bodies and brains.

Prompts if no response: Eating a lot of junk food (we feel depressed, cranky, and unhealthy); not getting enough sleep (we make poor decisions and feel disoriented); isolating ourselves (we lose touch with loved ones, forget how to act around other people); sitting and watching TV or playing video games for hours each day (we feel depressed, unwilling to help others with physical tasks).

Discussion question 2:

The Bible refers to the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. What does this mean about how we should think about our bodies?

Prompts if no response: Don’t damage or destroy what God has given us; gratitude for physical health and don’t take it for granted. God created so many healthy plants and clean meats to eat for our bodies to stay healthy.

Discussion question 3:

How can healthy physical habits help us have better spiritual habits too?

Prompts if no response: Regular exercise helps us feel happier, less stressed, and improves blood flow to the brain; eating healthy food gives us better energy and mood to deal with stressful things that come up in our lives; getting enough sleep helps us be aware of dangers and feel better able to discern if something is right or wrong in a situation (no brain fog); fellowshipping and socially connecting with others helps us love them and helps us look beyond just ourselves.

Hypothetical 1 & 2:

What would you think or say if you heard this: “Well, the spiritual is more important than the physical, so I’ll just do that,” or “Praying and Bible study are the only habits I need.”

Prompts if no response: Healthy physical habits directly relate to how our brain is functioning, and that is the organ that makes all our spiritual decisions; prayer and study that are filled with brain fog, crankiness, anxiety, and fatigue will not be as helpful as they could be.

Closer

What are some physical health habits I can set up and start today?

Prompts if no response: Get extra sleep each night, exercise longer each day or more each week, make smarter food choices each day, spend more time with friends instead of playing alone.