Take Good Care of Yourself!

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your body."

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Obtain a couple of magazines, preferably those with pictures of teen celebrities. Ask the children to look through the magazines and choose pictures of teens they most admire. Ask the children why they chose those specific pictures. Tell the children to close their eyes, to keep them closed for five seconds, and then open them. Tell the children to pretend they are now looking at the pictures through God's eyes. Ask them if they think God is pleased with the teens' appearance and to explain why or why not.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We are God's representatives in the world. As God's representatives, we are called to be good stewards. Part of being a good steward is taking care of our bodies by eating healthy food, exercising regularly, and dressing appropriately. Ask the children if they are good stewards of their own bodies. One way to help a child know if he or she is a good steward is to ask the child if he or she would need to change in some way if Jesus walked into the room.

If the children feel that they need to make changes, ask them to describe those changes. Encourage the children to make a plan for changing lifestyle practices that do not reflect good stewardship of their bodies (such as eating healthy food, exercising regularly, and dressing appropriately). Be sure to emphasize God's acceptance of and the special value in those parts of their body that make them unique (such as their nose, hair, eyes, height, and so on). God loves each one of us unconditionally. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for us because we are so valuable to God. God created each person. As Christians, we should honor God by being the best stewards that we can be, including being stewards of the care of our own bodies.

Prayer

Dear God, help these children realize how very much you love them. You made each one of them special. Help these children to be good stewards of their own bodies and to celebrate their own uniqueness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Questions for Discussion

• Does God care if we always wear the latest fashions or have the latest hairstyles? Why or why not?
• Why is it important to God for us to be good stewards of our own bodies by eating properly and exercising regularly?
• Challenge: Would your child benefit from healthier eating habits, more regular exercise, and/or more appropriate clothing styles? If so, choose one area and begin making the necessary adjustments. For example, maybe your child could include more fruit in his or her diet, or set a goal to exercise fifteen minutes daily, or experiment with a more modest clothing style. Be sure to consult with your child's physician before making any significant changes in diet or exercise.

Janet Zimmerman is an ordained United Methodist deacon, who serves as Christian Education Director at Church of the Lakes in Canton, Ohio.

Posted in 2004.