GROUP GUIDE

RESET
MY BODY
3 JOHN 2-4; 1 COR. 3:16-17; 1 COR. 6:19-20
FEBRUARY 7/8, 2015

MAIN POINT

When Jesus becomes our Savior, our bodies belong to Him.

INTRODUCTION

As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion.
Have you ever tried any diet or exercise fads? If so, which one(s)?

What was your experience like with that fad? Did you see results? Why do you think it was so popular?

Do you think your physical fitness and overall health matters to God? Why or why not? Spend a few
minutes discussing peoples responses.

Physical health is one of the most popular topics in our culture, and hardly a day goes by that a new exercise,
diet, or vitamin trend isnt making its impression in the cultural landscape, even as others make their way out.
The irony is that while we are fascinated with health, we continue to live unhealthy lives. Countless people
struggle with obesity, sexual promiscuity, and even mental health issues. Today we will spend some time
discussing why personal health should matter to the Christian. All throughout the Scriptures, God gives His
guidance about how His children should live, and many of His commands focus on how bodies should be
treatedhow they should be respected and not mistreatednot subjected to violence, abuse, indulgence,
or mistreatment of any kind.

UNDERSTANDING
Unpack the biblical text to discover what the Scripture says or means about a particular topic.
In 1 Timothy 4:8, the apostle Paul wrote, For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all
things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. With this statement, Paul doesnt discredit
the need for physical training, he affirms that it holds value, albeit not the eternal value of training in godliness.
Lets look at a few texts that help us understand the importance of taking care of our bodies.
> HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 3 JOHN 2-4; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17; AND 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20.

From these various texts, what do you learn about why personal health matters?

In 3 John 2-4, John prayed that his friend Gaius would be physically healthy, to go along with his spiritual
health. What difference does physical health make in walking in the truth (v. 4)?

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Healthy living matters to God for many reasons. When we are physically healthy, we are able to walk with God
and serve Him unhinderedly. This was the case with Gaius in 3 John. Without the distraction of mental, physical,
or emotional setbacks, we can focus our thoughts and energy on living for God. In addition, Paul tells the
Corinthians that our bodies are a temple and that we should honor God with our bodies. Making choices that
promote healthy living show God honor and respect.

What does it mean that your body is the temple of the Spirit, and that it is not your own?

God paid a steep price to make your body His own. What price did He pay? How should this truth change the
way we make decisions when it comes to how we live?

In Old Testament times, God limited His earthly presence to the Holy of Holies, an inner sanctuary within the
temple that was accessible only to the High Priest on one day a year. However, all of that changed after Jesus
resurrection, when He sent the Holy Spirit to earth in His place. The Spirit took up residence in the life of each
believer, and He still does that today. When Paul talks about your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, he
reminds us that the believers body is a sacred vessel, bought at a price by the Son of God. For this reason, we
have no business doing anything with the Lords body that does not glorify Him.

None of us are healthy all of the time. What are some ways God uses our illnesses to teach us about Him?

What is the difference between being sick and being unhealthy? Why is this distinction important when we
think about treating our bodies in a way that honors God?

How can being unhealthy impact our ability to pursue intimacy with Jesus?

The challenge to steward our health isnt about times or seasons in our lives when we are sickthat is out of
our control, and there are many ways we can glorify God through our physical struggles. Being a good steward
of our health is about making right choices and practicing discipline in the areas of life that you can control, like
what you eat, the exercise you get, and how you deal with the stress and anxieties of life.

Read Philippians 3:18-19 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. What do these passages reveal about why its important
to make healthy choices with food?

Read 1 Peter 5:7. Worry and stress drastically affect your mental and emotional health. How do you cast all
your anxiety on God?

Read Deuteronomy 5:12-15. Why is rest also an important part of living a healthy life? Why does rest matter
to God?
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God had given His people six days each week for work, but He also gave them a day for rest. Our bodies, minds,
and souls need time for refreshment by spending time with God.
Healthy lives clearly matter to God. Jesus drove home this point during His earthly ministry, much of which was
dedicated to healing people from their physical and mental ailments. He made it clear that personal health is
critically linked to spiritual health. In Mark 5, we read about Jesus healing people in three very distinct ways.
> READ SELECT PORTIONS OF MARK 5:1-43.

Why do you think Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead? Was He simply trying to
show everyone how great He is, or is there more to it?

What can we learn about our ministry to others through Jesus example in Mark 5?

Sickness and death entered the world through the fall. Before Adam and Eve sinned, there was no sickness,
sorrow, or death. And before sin entered the world, people didnt have to fear being possessed by unclean
spirits. Thus, when Jesus exercised authority over the demons, sickness, and death, He was not just showing us
how great He is, He was telling us that He has come to do something about those things. In doing so, He showed
that God is not only concerned with our spiritual health, He is concerned with our physical health, too.

APPLICATION
Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives.
What are some of the practical decisions we make that show God we glorify Him with our bodies?

How do your personal health choices also impact the health of Sherwood as a whole?

What is one area of your life that the Holy Spirit is bringing conviction to when you think about making
healthy choices?

What immediate changes can you make to work on honoring God with that area of your life?

How can our group help hold one another accountable?

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PRAY
Split up into pairs or small groups and take a few minutes to share prayer requests specifically
related to living healthy lives. This may include prayers for healing or for discipline in decision
making. Then spend time praying for those requests. Challenge your group members to follow up
with each other during the week.
FOLLOW UP
Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following:
Q
 uestions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week:

What, if any, conviction has the Holy Spirit brought to your attention this week as a result of our
discussion about healthy living?
Have you made any changes to the way you live based on our discussion from this past week? If so,
what were they?

A
 note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your
groupgathering.
The challenge to memorize 3 John 2.

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COMMENTARY

3 JOHN 24
Verse 2. After an initial greeting, John moves to express his good wishes for Gaius in the form of a brief prayer.
He begins by again expressing his love and affection through the second use of the phrase dear friend. In Greek
concerning all things is put first in the sentence for emphasis: Concerning all things [John] prays that [Gaius]
may prosper and be in health just as his soul prospers. The word prosper can mean to have a good journey.
Here it is used metaphorically. John asks God for the best in every way for Gaius. Further, he specifically prays for
good health. It is clear that Gaius was a man with a clean bill of health spiritually. That he was also in good health
physically is not so certain given Johns request. It should be noted that to pray or wish for someone good health
was a common feature of the letters of this day. What we can be certain of is that Gaius was thriving spiritually. He
was in the best sense of the phrase a man of God.
Johns prayer-wish should give us pause. What if such a prayer was made to God for me and it was answered?
What condition would I find myself in physically and spiritually? Compare your bodily health to your spiritual
health. Dare we hope or pray for ourselves or others in this manner? The order is not insignificant. The spiritual is
indeed the standard of measurement for the physical.
Verse 3. There is ample evidence that Gaius was soul healthy. The elder had received a report from itinerate
teachers concerning Gaius. It was a source of great joy to the elder. The report was that Gaius was in the truth and
walking in the truth. The emphasis is twofold. First, he was faithful in what he believed. Second, he was faithful in
how he lived. In doctrine and deed Gaius was commendable, praiseworthy, and consistent. To walk in the truth
is to conduct ones life in the truth. It is to flesh out in conduct ones confession. Loyalty to Christ and the gospel
marked his life. Gaius continued to do the truth he had been taught.
Verse 4. Verse 4 reinforces verse 3. It also carries the word of praise a step further. In v. 3 the elder has great joy.
In v. 4 he now has no greater joy. The elder is enthusiastic and emphatic in his joy over what he hears concerning
Gaius. The life of Gaius and his service for the Savior are of the greatest joy to John. Children of course is plural
and is regularly used by Paul in referring to his own converts (1 Cor 4:14; Gal 4:19; Phil 2:22). That the elder views
Gaius as one of his children could indicate he was responsible for leading Gaius to faith in Christ. It is also possible
John simply has in mind all believers who are under his pastoral care. Regardless of the view taken, Johns point
is clear. He experiences supreme joy when it is reported to him that those under his watchcare are walking in the
truth. To walk in the truth means to know it, believe it, and live it.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17
Paul pointed first to the sanctity of the church. He wanted the Corinthians to understand how special they were in
Gods eyes, and how their status as the temple of God required a particular kind of leadership. Leaders must not
serve the church with human wisdom, but with divine wisdom from the Spirit, because the church is holy before
God.
Paul expected an affirmative answer to his question: Dont you know? Believers should recognize that they are
Gods temple and that Gods Spirit lives in them. Just as the name of God dwelt in Solomons temple (1 Kgs. 8:29;
2 Chr. 6:2), the Holy Spirit lives in the New Testament temple which is the body of believers gathering in the name
of Jesus (Matt. 18:20).
The sanctity of the Holy Spirits dwelling requires that church leaders be very careful. In fact, if anyone destroys
Gods temple, harming the church by leading through arrogance and human pretense, God will destroy him. Why
is this judgment so severe? Because the temple of God is sacred. The Corinthian leaders needed to preserve the
unity of the temple, not destroy it with divisions. If they divided the fellowship, they attacked Gods holy temple,
his body (Col. 1:18, 24) and his bride (Eph. 5:23-27), thereby provoking Gods wrath.

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1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20
6:19. For this reason, the apostle appealed once again to a teaching which he had already given the Corinthians.
The Christians body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in believers, making their
bodies a holy place for the dwelling of Gods special presence. That the Holy Spirit resides in believers points to
the new nature of believers bodies. Believers bodies are sanctified and holy, being in union with Christ. When a
person in Christ engages in sexual immorality, that immorality runs contrary to the new nature and new identity
of his body. The Christian has been redeemed for good works (Eph. 2:10), so he ought to use his body for good
deeds and righteousness, not for sin.
Paul also reminded the Corinthians that they did not have rights to their own bodies. They were not free to use
their bodies any way they wished. He insisted that Christ bought them at a pricehis own blood. As a slave was
bought in the ancient world, Christ bought his followers, body and soul, through the price of his own death.
Because they belong to him, believers do not have the right to rebel against him by using their bodies in ways
the Lord has prohibited. Further, because this purchase results in redemption and salvation, it ought to inspire
grateful obedience, not rebellion. In this reminder, Paul chastised the Corinthians and pleaded with them to
obey Christ eagerly and thankfully.
6:20. In conclusion, Paul insisted, Honor God with your body. Having already given the negative warning to
flee immorality, Paul gave positive guidance through the gospel. Rather than merely resist sin, believers must
see themselves as temples of God purchased by Christ. Of course, this purchase refers to Christs atonement.
Because Christ died for and purchased believers, believers owe him obedience and honor. They should search
for ways to bring glory to God by using their bodies in the ways that God has commanded, and by refraining
from using their bodies in ways God has prohibited. They should remember that their bodies have been united
to Christ, and they must honor Christ by not dragging his members into union with prostitutes.

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