CHAPTER 1

faith

Nurturing your Soul

"I can do all thingsthrough Christ whostrengthens me."Philippians 4:13 (WEB)

Many of us are disciplined when itcomes to spiritual practices like readingour Bible or going to church, but wemay not have that same disciplinewhen it comes to caring for our physicalhealth. Others are careful about eatinghabits, but ignore caring for the soul.But our spiritual health and physicalwell-being are intimately connected—andeach can strengthen the other. Thisweek, we'll introduce you to the fiveEssentials of The Daniel Plan, focusingon Faith and its impact on our overallhealth.

COMINGTOGETHER

In this first section, everyone will have the opportunity toevaluate their starting point for the study, and pick one area ofhealth they would like to focus on for the next six weeks. Sincethis is the first meeting, go around the room and make sureeveryone knows each other's name.

Before you begin, use the Small Group Roster in the appendix to geteveryone's contact information. Ask someone to type up the list and emailit to everyone in the group this week.

Also, you'll need some simple group guidelines that outline values andexpectations. Use the sample in the appendix and make sure that everyoneagrees with and understands those expectations.

Use the questions on the following page to start your discussion:

(1) The Daniel Plan is a journey toward better health in five essentialareas of life. How healthy do you feel in each of these areas,compared to a year ago?

(2) Pick one of the five Essentials where you'd like to experiencepositive changes over the next six weeks. What, specifically, areyou hoping for in this area of your life?

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LEARNINGTOGETHER

Pastor Rick

Watch the video together. Use the following outline to takenotes. The answers are in the appendix if you need them.

(1) Life is a battle, because everything in the world is ____________.

"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but Ican't. I do what I don't want to—what I hate. I know perfectly well that whatI am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with theselaws I am breaking. But I can't help myself because I'm no longer doing it. Itis sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things."

Romans 7:15–17 (LB)

"No matter which way I turn I can't make myself do right. I want to but I can't.When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway."

Romans 7:18-19 (LB)

"My new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me lovesto sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from myslavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by JesusChrist our Lord. He has set me free."

Romans 7:23–25 (LB)

"If you are in Christ there is no condemnation for your life."

- Pastor Rick -

(2) Romans chapter 8 gives us six wonderful benefits of __________ inGod's Spirit.

"So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus.For the power of the life-giving Spirit—and this power is mine through ChristJesus—has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death."

Romans 8:1–2 (LB)

* All change starts with ________________.

* The second thing that helps us to change is the ________________.

"Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but followingafter the old nature leads to death."

Romans 8:6 (LB)

"You are controlled by your new nature if you have theSpirit of God living in you."

Romans 8:9 (LB)

"So, dear brothers, you have no obligation, whatever, to yourold sinful nature."

Romans 8:12 (LB)

"We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to gettingsomething we don't yet have—for a man who already has somethingdoesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keeptrusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to waitpatiently and confidently. And in the same way—by our faith—the HolySpirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying."

Romans 8:24–26 (LB)

* We do this by __________.

"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if welove God and are fitting into his plans."

Romans 8:28a (LB)

* God will work all for _________________.

"What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is onour side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even hisown Son for us but gave him up for us all, won't he also surely give useverything else?"

Romans 8:31–32 (LB)

* God wants you to ___________ in your life.

"For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hellitself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worriesabout tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepestocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of Goddemonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us."

Romans 8:38–39 (LB)

* God's _______ will never stop.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Jimmy Peña Founder of Prayfit

(3) ______________ is the foundation of The Daniel Plan because faithis the foundation of every part of our lives.

* True faith motivates us to do God's will.

* God's Word provides important tools for overcomingobstacles in our lives.

(4) Grace removes the burden of trying to ____________ a body thatwon't last, and yet grace is the reason to honor it, every day that itdoes.

* It's not about the mirror; it's about the one we're trying to mirror.

(5) Our health is about ____________.

* That's the focus of The Daniel Plan: harnessing God's Word,spending time with it every day, and setting the tone for anabundant life.

"Therefore, honor God with your bodies."

1 Corinthians 6:20b (NIV)

GROWINGTOGETHER

In this section, discuss what youlearned from the video teaching.There's no single "right answer"here—just a chance for people toshare their stories and listen toeach other.

(1) Pastor Rick talked about Paul'sstruggle against his sinful nature,which he writes honestlyabout in Romans 7. Which ofthe five Essentials (Faith, Food,Fitness, Focus, or Friends)comes to mind when you readRomans 7: knowing what to dobut not doing it?

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(2) Many of us wrestle with shame—feeling condemned or not goodenough. If the Bible says that we have no condemnation, whatdoes that mean to you personally?

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(3) Jimmy talked about the truth that grace means we don't have tobe perfect. Have you ever wrestled with perfectionism? If so, howhas that impacted your relationships with God and others?

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In the next section, called Better Together, we will offer you practical nextsteps to explore what you have learned and apply it to your everyday life.This week we will offer next steps for The Daniel Plan Essential of Faith,along with Food and Fitness tips and recommendations.

BETTERTOGETHER

Let's get practical—and put what we're learning into action. Thisweek, we're talking about Faith, so be sure you're reachingout and sharing what you are learning about God's truths andpromises! We also have Food and Fitness activities foryou to choose from.

We have terrific resources to help you on your Daniel Plan journey. Eachgroup member can go to danielplan.com and set up a FREE Daniel PlanHealth Profile to track their progress and download The Daniel Plan Appwith recipes, exercises, and social tools to connect with each other.

Journaling is a great tool for nurturing your faith. The Daniel Plan Journal:40 Days to a Healthier Life helps you track your progress and includes shortencouraging devotionals to motivate and inspire you.

FAITH NEXT STEPS

[] Pair up with one other person in the group. This will be your spiritual andencouragement partner for the study, your new Daniel Plan buddy. Wehave learned that people who do The Daniel Plan with another personor a group lose 50 percent more weight! Commit to checking in witheach other throughout the week. Even a short text of encouragement is aloving way to let your buddy know you care. Now each of you answer thisquestion: What are you hoping God will do during thenext six weeks of this study? After sharing, praybriefly for each other.

[] Based on your conversation andprayer, select one of the verses fromthis week's study that you think wouldbe particularly encouraging to yourpartner. Share that verse with themby writing it on a card for them, ortexting it to them. Call or text eachother at least once during the week,and pray for each other during theweek.

[] Pick a Bible verse from any part of today'slesson. Write it down, and then read it everyday. Try memorizing it and sharing with thegroup next time. Consider taking on thischallenge: memorizing one verse each weekduring the six weeks of the study.

Here are a few tips and suggested activities to help you move forward on yourjourney toward health. Check one or two boxes next to the options you'dlike to try—choose what works for you! You'll find helpful bonusmaterial on the video.

FOOD NEXT STEPS

[] Food Tip of the Week: A greatway to start your Daniel Plan lifestyleis to clean out your pantry. Click onthe QR code to watch a video and learnhow, or go to danielplan.com/videos/cleanyourpantry.

[] Recipe of the Week: Learnhow easy it is to make a deliciousbreakfast smoothie. Just click The DanielPlan Recipe of the Week button onthe screen, scan the QR code, or go todanielplan.com/videos/breakfast-smoothie.

[] Group Activity of the Week: Watch thevideos together, and then make plans withone or two other group members to clean outyour pantries. Help each other get ready tobegin a healthy Daniel Plan lifestyle.

FITNESS NEXT STEPS

[] Fitness Tip of the Week: The first step inreaching your fitness goals is to believethat you can change. Forget aboutyesterday, no matter what your attemptsto change in the past have been. Todayis a new day, and with God's help andpower you can do it—one day at atime!

[] Move of the Week: Watch the one-minuteDaniel Plan Move of the Weekvideo (just click The Daniel Plan Moveof the Week button on the screen). Beadventurous, and try it right now withthe group. Or use the QR code, or go todanielplan.com/videos/move-of-the-weekto watch it on your own.

[] Group Activity of the Week: Plan anouting with other group members and gofor a walk or hike together. If you live neareach other, walk in your neighborhood orfind a local trail to enjoy.

PRAYINGTOGETHER

Because our efforts at living healthier are strengthened byprayer, we end each meeting with prayer and encourage groupmembers to pray for each other during the week.This week, try praying this way:

In the large group, simply share your answer to the question, "What are youhoping God will do in your life through this study?" so that others can getto know you and pray for you during the week.

If group members feel comfortable, have a time of prayer in which anyonewho would like to pray a short prayer for someone else in the group maydo so. The leader can close with the following benediction:

"Father, thank you so much for what you're going to do in our lives.Thank you in advance for giving us the desire to become healthier. Wewant to get well. We trust that by living out the biblical principles of TheDaniel Plan, we will feel better, have more energy, and, Lord willing, livea healthier and longer life. Increase our faith so that we might be a betterwitness for your glory. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen."