\u201cDo you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s a strong call. Not a guilt trip\u2014but a reminder that we belong to God in every way, body and soul. And because of that, how we treat our bodies matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Romans 12:1 builds on this idea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOffer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God\u2014this is your true and proper worship.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Taking care of your body isn\u2019t vanity\u2014it\u2019s worship. It\u2019s not about six-pack abs. It\u2019s about stewarding the one body we\u2019ve been given to serve God and others well. We often talk about stewarding our time, talents, and treasure\u2014but our temples<\/strong> need stewarding too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And when we start seeing our physical health through a spiritual lens, everything shifts. It\u2019s not about checking boxes or following trends\u2014it\u2019s about living in alignment with the One who created us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, this shift wasn\u2019t instant. It came after some hard realizations. I had developed pre-diabetes and wasn\u2019t feeling like myself. I was tired, sluggish, and not functioning at full capacity. Over time\u2014and with some practical changes\u2014I lost 20 pounds and reversed the diagnosis. But the biggest change wasn\u2019t physical. It was spiritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health became part of how I honored God with my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t mean we all need to look the same or meet some arbitrary health standard. It means asking: Am I treating my body like something sacred? Like something God gave me to steward for His glory?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not about self-obsession. It\u2019s about self-control<\/strong>\u2014a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22\u201323)\u2014and viewing our physical decisions as an extension of our discipleship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few things I\u2019ve learned (and am still learning) along the way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our relationship with food is often emotional. Comfort eating, stress eating, celebration eating\u2014it adds up fast. And while food is a good gift from God, it can become an idol when we look to it for something only He can provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scripture doesn\u2019t shy away from this. Proverbs 23:20\u201321 warns us about the consequences of overindulgence, and Philippians 3:19 describes people \u201cwhose god is their stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That hit me hard. I had to ask: Am I running to snacks instead of my Savior?<\/em> One phrase that helped me reframe things: \u201cNothing tastes as good as health feels.\u201d<\/strong> It\u2019s not about depriving yourself\u2014it\u2019s about choosing what serves your body, your mind, and your mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best workout is the one you\u2019ll actually do. I love basketball\u2014it\u2019s fun, fast-paced, and gets my heart rate up without feeling like a chore. I also walk on a treadmill at home and lift weights a few times a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And honestly? Some of my clearest thoughts and prayers come while I\u2019m walking or lifting. Movement becomes a kind of communion. I talk to God. I reflect. I reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you hate the gym, don\u2019t go. Try dance classes, yoga, resistance bands, or long walks in your neighborhood. There\u2019s no \u201cone way\u201d to move your body\u2014but movement matters. It boosts your mood, clears your mind, and helps you serve God with energy and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s tempting to go all-in with a new routine: new gear, new gym, strict diet, the whole nine yards. But the biggest progress comes from small, consistent habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus often talked about faithfulness in the small things (Luke 16:10). The same principle applies to our physical lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what\u2019s worked for me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small choices, repeated over time, lead to transformation\u2014not just in our bodies, but in our character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight is one measure of health\u2014but it\u2019s not the only one. Your energy, sleep, strength, mood, and lab work all matter too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t let the number on the scale define your worth or your progress. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)\u2014regardless of the metrics. Celebrate non-scale victories: clearer skin, deeper sleep, better endurance, more confidence. These count, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinks are one of the easiest places to cut hidden calories. Juice, soda, sweet tea\u2014it adds up fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These days, I mostly stick to water (and yes, the occasional Dr. Pepper). I make it more interesting with lemon or mint, and it\u2019s helped me feel better all around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a small shift with a big payoff. Our bodies need clean fuel\u2014and sometimes the simplest steps are the most powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Little decisions add up. Park farther away. Take the stairs. Walk while you\u2019re on the phone. These small shifts train your body\u2014and your mind\u2014to stay active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Convenience is nice, but it rarely leads to growth. Discomfort is where strength is built. And sometimes, choosing inconvenience is an act of discipline that honors God more than we realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody\u2019s coming to do the hard work for you. Your health journey is yours\u2014and it\u2019s sacred. But here\u2019s the good news: You\u2019re not in it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have a God who cares about every part of you\u2014body, mind, and spirit. He knit you together (Psalm 139), calls your body His temple, and invites you to honor Him with every step you take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t about perfection. It\u2019s about progress. It\u2019s about honoring the God who made you, saved you, and loves you\u2014by taking care of the one body He gave you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you need a place to start? Drink some water. Go for a walk. Ask God to give you strength. And take one step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve got this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Family Life Center<\/strong><\/a> at our Champions Campus is here for you! With a fully equipped gym, indoor track, group fitness classes, and more, it\u2019s a welcoming space designed to support your physical wellness in a Christ-centered environment. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to stay active, this incredible resource is right here at your church\u2014ready when you are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Caring for your body as God\u2019s temple is about more than fitness\u2014it\u2019s a way to honor Him through your habits, mindset, and spiritual health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":2172,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[33,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-care-counseling","category-spiritual-growth","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
When Health Becomes Worship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Food is Fuel\u2014and Sometimes an Idol<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Am I satisfying a craving\u2014or covering up a deeper need for comfort, peace, or control?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Find Movement You Don\u2019t Hate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Small Habits > Big Plans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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4. The Scale Isn\u2019t the Whole Story<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Pay Attention to What You Drink<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Embrace Inconvenience<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Honoring God, One Step at a Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/media.thegospelcoalition.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12102846\/A1L74YuwgQL.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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