Nourish Body & Soul: God’s Plan for Healthy Living in 2026
Key Bible Verses:
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Daniel 1:12-15 (NIV) “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food… At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”
Psalm 104:14-15 (NIV) “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
Context Guide:
Opening Message: With 36% of UK residents committed to eating healthier as we enter 2026, we’re reminded that God created food not just for sustenance, but for nourishment, healing, and enjoyment. From the Garden of Eden to the Promised Land “flowing with milk and honey,” Scripture celebrates wholesome, natural foods that honour the bodies God gave us.
Practical Application for Our Congregation:
- Mindful Eating: Thank God before meals, eat slowly, and recognise food as His provision
- Whole Foods Focus: Choose foods closer to how God created them – fruits, vegetables, whole grains
- Moderation Not Deprivation: Enjoy God’s bounty without excess or idolatry
- Community Meals: Share healthy potluck dinners, cooking classes, or recipe exchanges
- Fast with Purpose: Consider Daniel-style fasts (plant-based eating) for spiritual reset
Discussion Questions:
- How can eating become an act of worship rather than mindless consumption?
- What unhealthy eating patterns do we need to surrender to God?
- How might better nutrition enhance our spiritual vitality and ministry effectiveness?
Biblical Eating Principles:
- Genesis 1:29 – God gave us plants and fruits for food
- Proverbs 23:20-21 – Warning against gluttony
- Romans 14:17 – The kingdom is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace
- 1 Timothy 4:4 – All food is good when received with thanksgiving
Encouragement: Small changes matter! Swap one processed food for a whole food this week. Drink more water. Add an extra vegetable to your meals. God honours our efforts to steward these earthly vessels for His glory.
