The Bible endorses the value of the physical body; after all, it was created by God. The believer should, therefore, seek to understand and intentionally put into practice measures that enhance health. Care for one's health is a moral matter, evidence of loyalty and responsible service to God. At the practical level the condition of one's health largely determines whether a person can carry out effective service for the Lord or for anyone they feel called to serve.

Although the foundational goals and values of health from a biblical perspective are conveyed through God's Word, the exact means of achieving these goals has come largely from medical science, which often validates many of the principles of health found in the Bible.

It is incumbent on all Christians to do what they can to take care of their health. Health-building activities, including exercise, wholesome diet, proper systematic rest, practical satisfying work, avoidance of damaging substances or practices, good habits of cleanliness, cultivated efforts to live in peace with and help others, and a profound trust in God make the best possible use of the life God has given us. Our bodies are sacred gifts to us from God; we have the responsibility to take care of them the best we know how.

This week let's take a look at what the Bible says about health and the principles found in its pages.

Review some of your most basic relationships. From your end, what motivates these relationships: self-serving or self-giving, greed or love, a desire for personal gain or a desire to be a blessing? Think about the good you have done for others. Were the principles elucidated in today's lesson the motivating force behind your relationships?  

"The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. . . .

"Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul."—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 344.

"Many of those who came to Christ for help had brought disease upon themselves, yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Him entered into these souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of their spiritual disease as well as of their physical maladies."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 73.  

 Jesus' healing ministry formed a crucial component of His work of leading people to salvation. How can your local church better use the light we have on health and healing as part of its outreach to the world?  

   As a class, talk about what the Bible says about such things as diet, use of alcohol, rest, and so forth. What health principles on these topics do you find in the Bible? To the best of your knowledge, how has modern science validated these principles? How have members personally benefited from following what the Bible has to say on these things?  

   As a class, take time to visit any members who are sick or hurting. Bring Bible promises to share with them. At the same time, in what practical ways can you minister to them and help relieve their sufferings?  

by JOTA WASHINGTON F. ALVES

Geraldina Alves works in a small factory that makes household goods in eastern Brazil. She is a faithful Seventh-day Adventist who loves the Lord and wants to share her faith with others. But she wasn't sure how she could reach people outside her circle of friends. Then God showed her one way that was, quite literally, right under her nose.

"God inspired me to put a tract inside each pot or pan, each plate or cup we sell," she said. "We send out up to four thousand items a day; I could share that many tracts each day."

Geraldina spoke to the factory's owner, who gave her permission to include the tracts. She began inserting a tract on top of each pot, so it would be the first thing the new owners would see when they opened the box. Often during the day as Geraldina placed the tracts into the boxes, she prayed for the people who would find them. She doubted that she ever would know the outcome of her missionary adventure, but she was happy to do what she could for God.

In another city, Maria da Silva suffered from depression. Her life felt dark, and she could see little hope for her future. Then her husband bought her a pressure cooker from Geraldina's factory. As Maria opened the box, a colorful tract fell out. Picking it up, she looked at it.

As Maria read the tract, a glimmer of hope flickered across her heart. "God loves me?" she said to herself, trying to capture the truth of the statement. She forgot her new pan as she read the tract carefully. She found an address on the back where she could write for more information and to request Bible studies.

Maybe there is hope for me, she thought. She wrote to the address on the tract, and a few weeks later, she received her first Bible study lessons. Maria showed them to her family, and together they began studying God's Word in depth. In time the entire family was baptized together.

A few months later Geraldina Alves, the "pot evangelist" met Maria da Silva and her family on Adventist television's Novo Tempo. "Even though you did not know me, you and your tract saved my life," Maria told Geraldina.

Mission takes many forms. Sometimes it's a sacrificial offering or a caring visit with someone who needs to hear of God's love. And other times it's a tract in a pot.

Principal Contributor
 Jonathan and Kathleen Kuntaraf
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Clifford R. Goldstein
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