Here is another one I've written. I haven't done it yet so I don't know how it will go over with people.
God’s Diet Plan
Q: What are some strange and/or extreme diets that you have tried or heard about?
Atkins, Grapefruit, South Beach, others…
Today we are going to look at different diets people have had in the Bible.
Disclaimer: These examples are not intended to approve of or condemn anyone’s eating regimen. Please consult the advice of your medical professional before beginning any change of eating regimen.
Genesis 3:1-3 This is called the taboo diet. If you stay away from just this one food, you tell yourself you’ll be alright.
Q: What food is your downfall? Once you start you just can’t stop. Cheesecake, chips and dip, Chunky Monkey ice-cream.
Q: Why doesn’t this work? We find new “downfall foods” because we are trying to satisfy a craving not actual hunger.
Genesis 16:1-16 The “What is it?” diet.
Q: What kind of strange food has been part of a weight loss plan? Maybe you never ate it before trying your new diet. Grass extract, fish oil, chicken tendons?
I Samuel 14:24-26 The Piggyback diet. King Saul’s army took an oath through pressure. They piggybacked onto Saul’s outrageous declaration made in an attempt to get a specific goal.
Q: Have you ever tried a diet because it worked for someone else? “Hey, they lost weight by trying this, maybe it will work for me.”
Q: How about the fad diets? Why don’t they work?
A: Someone else’s conviction. They are tried out of desperation, grasping at straws trying to find something, anything that will get results.
Matthew 3:1-6 The “ Nothing But“ diet. (It would be fun to get locust or grasshoppers from a pet store to dare someone to eat)
Q: Anyone ever try Jenny Craig or similar plan that restricted what you ate? How do you handle eating out, lunch meetings, Genentech in general, BBQs, vacation travel?
These don’t seem to fit into everyday life. It seems to me that someone else is controlling the decision making for portion size and content.
Acts 23:12-15 The “Hunger Strike” diet.
These diets (oaths or decisions) are made out of anger or hatred. They are emotionally based instead of thoughtful, prayerful planning.
Q: How long do you think they lasted?
Paul was never captured and killed by them. Do you think any of them actually starved themselves to death?
I Corinthians 10:30-31 The Bible teaches us that we should eat and drink to the glory of God. We’ve had some fun looking at this. In reality, God wants us to enjoy our lives here on earth and food is part of his blessings to us.
I Timothy 4:7-9 We can exert a lot of our time, energy and passion trying to get our bodies to look the way we want them too. There is some value to that. However, there is more value putting time, energy and passion into our relationships with God and people. How is your spiritual health these days? Are you spiritually fit and ready when it comes time to forgive, resist temptations, remain calm during crisis, and trust that God loves you and is maturing you?
Diets, working out and exercise have better results when you have a companion. It’s the same way with spirituality. We need friends in our lives to help us. Get some help to get spiritually fit. Attend church, have personal Bible Studies, pray together.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
