The Body
By Josh Porter
Begin with prayer (5 minutes)
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting (around a table, on the couch, the floor of a living room, etc.). Have somebody lead a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Debrief the teaching in triads (5 minutes)
If you are in a Community of seven or more, divide into small groups of 3–4 people each (ideally same gender).
Spend a few minutes catching up on life…
Then talk through the following debrief questions:
- How have you incorporated the Abide and Mind categories from last week’s practice into the working draft for your rule of life?
- Does your rule of digital life overlap with the Mind category of your rule of life?
Read this overview
In the story of the Bible you are not a soul in a body, you are a soul, and you are a body. The body is not just a container to carry the soul. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul writes: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
What you do with your body and how you care for it matters to God, who has designed you as a holistic being. What’s going on in your body affects your mind and your spirit, and vice versa.
A preponderance of scientific data connects your physical fitness with your mental health. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, to encourage better sleep and better focus, and even to effectively treat PTSD, and ADD. When we care for our bodies, we are better prepared to follow Jesus well.
Talk about the coming week’s practice as a Community (10-30 minutes)
The next category in your rule of life will describe the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual practices to care for your body. This week, think through any practices that make up your current rule of life (sleep, diet, exercise). Consider organizing these into recurring rhythms.
What practices would you like to add in, cut out, or change?
Examples: Sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet, water, limiting alcohol intake, walking, rising at a certain time daily, activity in sports, routine doctor and dentist visits, vitamins, and honoring God with your sexuality by living by Jesus’ teachings.
Recommended baseline practice: commit to sleeping a minimum of seven hours a night, get some form of exercise on a regular basis (as you are able), and eat well.
If you’re new to this practice, we recommend you start with mindfully assessing your sleep habits, and taking a short walk each day.
Talk through the following discussion questions:
- What kinds of things would you like to implement into your rule of life?
- How can you set realistic goals?
- How can your community help you meet them?
Close in prayer (10 minutes)