This week’s Bible Workshop and Run Training deal with making choices. In our spiritual lives, choosing how to act with and toward others. In our athletic lives, how to choose the right nutrition for a healthy life.
Bible Workshop: If You know What’s Good for You
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Study Lesson objective: Respecting Others “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. In verse 23 Paul states a great axiom or principle for New Testament Christian living: “Everything is permissible.” Because of the Corinthians’ confusion with regard to this principle, Paul adds two qualifications to it. First, “Not everything is beneficial.” That is to say, not every activity is spiritually profitable; some activities, although not expressly sinful, may be detrimental. Second, “Not everything is constructive.” Not every activity is conducive to our own spiritual growth or the spiritual well-being of our Christian brothers and sisters. In verse 24 Paul presents another great axiom or principle that must govern New Testament Christian living: “No one should demand his own rights, but should seek the good of others.” The Christian life is not to be dominated by a self-seeking, self-pleasing attitude; rather, we must take into consideration the welfare of our Christian brothers and sisters and make their welfare a chief concern (note Matthew 22:39). This second principle (presented in verse 24) must become a guideline for how we apply the first principle (presented in verse 23) and it prevents us from selfishly abusing or misusing that first principle. In verses 25-29 the apostle Paul goes on to apply these two principles to an actual situation of everyday life that the Corinthian Christians faced. He counsels, “Eat whatever is sold in the marketplace, without questioning it because of your conscience” (verse 25). The Christian is free to eat whatever meat he desires, without concern over the fact that the meat in question had previously been offered to a pagan “deity.” But if a fellow Christian informs you that the meat has been offered to a pagan “deity,” then do not eat it, for the sake of his conscience (verses 28-29). Out of love, we are to abstain from the full and public use of our Christian rights and privileges rather than offend, confuse, test, or despise a weaker Christian brother. In verse 31 the apostle presents the third and greatest principle for Christian living: “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This is the principle that must regulate our use of Christian rights and liberties: “whether you eat or drink…do all to the glory of God.” In very practical terms, one glorifies God when he causes his conscience to be regulated by both the liberties and the regulations prescribed in the Word of God—thereby submitting to the Lord’s sovereign and gracious lordship rather than to any other. In verse 32 Paul exhorts us as Christians to live lives that are inoffensive; he commands, “Cause no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or to the church of God.” What is envisioned here is a life that does not cause harm or injury; a life that does not provoke others to anger or wrongdoing; a life that is not objectionable because it is glaringly inconsistent with the life of Christ. The way to heed this exhortation to lead an inoffensive life is presented to us in verse 33, “I try to please everyone in every way; not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” By his own example, the apostle Paul points out that the key is living a life that is oriented towards others rather than self-oriented and self-absorbed—it is living a truly Christ-like life. In 11:1 Paul calls upon us to follow his example just as he himself is following Christ’s example. Questions: 1. What two qualifications does Paul add to the great principle of Christian liberty (i.e.; the principle that “everything is permissible”)? 2. Besides the principle of Christian liberty, what other great principle must govern Christian living? 3. The apostle Paul presents a third great principle that must govern Christian living. What is this third principle? 4. What exhortation does Paul give the church in 1 Corinthians 10:32? How are we to implement this exhortation? Adapted from: http://biblestudycourses.org/1-corinthians-bible-study-courses/1-corinthians-10-23-11-1-exploring-the-passage/ |
Week 5: If You know What’s Good for You
Run Training: As a runner, your diet is important not only for maintaining good health, but also to promote peak performance. Proper nutrition and hydration can make or break a workout or race, and also greatly affects how runners feel, work and think. A balanced diet for healthy runners should include these essentials: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some basic guidelines for a nutritious, healthy balance: Carbohydrates: As a runner, carbohydrates should make up about 60 - 65% of your total calorie intake. Without a doubt, carbs are the best source of energy for athletes. Research has shown that for both quick and long-lasting energy, our bodies work more efficiently with carbs than they do with proteins or fats. Whole grain pasta, steamed or boiled rice, potatoes, fruits, starchy vegetables, and whole grain breads are good carb sources. Protein: Protein is used for some energy and to repair tissue damaged during training. In addition to being an essential nutrient, protein keeps you feeling full longer, which helps if you're trying to lose weight. Protein should make up about 15% - 20% of your daily intake. Try to concentrate on protein sources that are low in fat and cholesterol such as lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, poultry, whole grains, and beans. Fat: A high fat diet can quickly pack on the pounds, so try to make sure that no more than 20 - 25% of your total diet comes from fats. Stick to foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol. Foods such as nuts, oils, and cold-water fish provide fats called omega-3s, which are vital for good health and can help prevent certain diseases. Experts recommend getting about 3,000 mg of omega-3 fat a day. Vitamins: Runners don't get energy from vitamins, but they are still an important part of their diet. Exercise may produce compounds called free radicals, which can damage cells. Vitamins C, E, and A are antioxidants and can neutralize free radicals. Getting your vitamins from whole foods is preferable to supplements; there's no strong evidence that supplements improves health or athletic performance. Minerals: Calcium: A calcium-rich diet is essential for runners to prevent osteoporosis and stress fractures. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, calcium-fortified juices, dark leafy vegetables, beans, and eggs. Your goal should be 1,000 to 1,300 mg of calcium per day. Iron: You need this nutrient to deliver oxygen to your cells. If you have an iron-poor diet, you'll feel weak and fatigued, especially when you run. Men should aim for 8 mg of iron a day, and women need 18 mg. Good natural sources of iron include lean meats, leafy green vegetables, nuts, shrimp, and scallops. Sodium and other electrolytes: Small amounts of sodium and other electrolytes are lost through sweat during exercise. Usually, electrolytes are replaced if you follow a balanced diet. But if you find yourself craving salty foods, it may be your body's way of telling you to get more sodium. Try drinking a sports drink or eating some pretzels after exercise. If you're running longer than 90 minutes, then you should need to replace some of the electrolytes you're losing through sweat by drinking sports drinks or taking in salt during your runs. Adapted from: http://running.about.com/od/nutritionandhydration/ a/runnersdiet.htm |
Week 5: On Your Feet
This week, distances increase again, but you can do it! Follow the plan below on a treadmill, on a track, or on the road (be careful!). Note the plan says run/walk. This means that you should either run or walk as you feel best, or do a combination of running and walking. Stay hydrated. Drink water. Above all, enjoy! Monday: 2.25 mile run/walk Tuesday: Rest, cross-train, or walk/run 1 mile Wednesday: 2 mile run/walk Thursday: Rest, cross-train, or walk/run 1 mile Friday: 2.25 mile run/walk Saturday: 45 minute walk Sunday: REST |