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When you decide to put God first, every facet
of your life is affected. For
example you eventually learn that the Word of God, the Bible, even contains
dietary principles. This study guide will lead you to discover biblical
principles pertaining to which food God designated to be good for our health.
1 Corinthians 3:17 "If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
1. What do these verses teach us about how we are to treat our bodies?
2. What does it mean to defile the temple of God?
3. How does one glorify God in his body?
4. How do these verses apply to what food to eat?
5. Why should holiness affect what one eats?
6. What is bad about eating scavengers and animals killed by predators?
Leviticus 11:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'These are the animals which you may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth: (3) 'Among the beasts, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud -- that you may eat.'"
7. What animals are fit for human consumption?
8. List some common meats which are not fit for human consumption.
9. Can you think of any health reason why God would single out these animals as fit or unfit to eat?
Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers that you may eat. (10) 'But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. (11) 'They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.'"
10. Name some fish can man eat?
11. Make a list of seafood that should not be eaten.
12. Can man eat any bird he chooses? Are fowl such as chicken and ducks acceptable? Read verses 13-19, and comment on guidelines to judge which birds are edible.
13. Does God also give instructions concerning insects, rodents, and reptiles? Read verses 20-23 and 29-31. Why do you think God is so specific?
Leviticus 3:17 "'This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.'"
14. What kind of fat is this -- animal or vegetable? Is it referring to "marbling" or that which surrounds the organs? Read verses 14-15 and comment.
15. What foods has manmade that contain blood?
Deuteronomy 14:21 "You shall not eat anything that dies of itself ...."
16. How can an animal die of itself?
Note: The matter of a proper and balanced diet is not the intent of this guide. There is much more information and knowledge now from medical science and dieticians that positively add to this discussion of Clean and Unclean Meats.
1. What message does God give Christians concerning diet?
2. Do people in our culture teach the same principles regarding diet?
3. What dietary principle do you follow?
Clean and Unclean Meats: What Does the Bible Teach?
Are all kinds of animal flesh suitable for food? Did God design certain animals to be eaten and others not to be eaten? Are Christians free to eat any kind of food, ignoring the instructions of the Bible?
Follow
a Healthy—and Biblical—Diet
God designed the human body. Shouldn't we pay attention to what He says to put into it and what to avoid?
Eating
Choices–Does God Care?
Vertical Thought discusses God's involvement in our eating habits with Hope Egan, author of Holy
Cow! Does God Care About What We Eat? In her book, Ms. Egan invites readers to look at their eating habits by examining the meat-related biblical food laws and God's overall design for healthy eating.
Fundamental Beliefs of the United Church of God: God's Food Laws
We believe that those meats that are designated "unclean" by God
in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are not to be eaten.
Colossians 2:16-17: Are God's Laws Obsolete?
Many people assume from Colossians 2:16-17 that Paul is saying that God's
laws about the Sabbath, Holy Days and clean and unclean meats are no longer
necessary. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink,
or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days
. . ." he wrote (KJV). Let's examine these verses' context and historic
setting to see if they support that view.
Keys to a Long, Healthy Life
Let's consider seven important health principles. Practicing these will
help you live a longer and healthier life. These principles are backed by
extensive research in the health-care field and by the Bible. As we go through
these principles, remember that God wants us to live productive, healthy
and useful lives (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 4:8).
What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats?
Many people have misconceptions about the biblical teaching on clean and
unclean meats. What does Scripture really reveal on this subject, and what
principles lie behind its teaching?
Did Jesus Declare All Meats Clean?
Many assume Jesus' statements in Mark 7 did away with the dietary restrictions
recorded in the Old Testament. How should we understand Christ's words?
Does the New Testament Abolish Meat Distinctions?
Some people believe that certain New Testament scriptures remove all distinctions
between clean and unclean meats. But what do these passages really say?
Created by the Teen Bible Study Committee Volunteers
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