TOTAL LIFE CHALLENGE 15 SUNDAY, JANUARY 4th SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd 8 WEEK CHALLENGE WEEKLY SUPPORT SESSIONS 5:30-7pm MISSION CONTROL (3RD FLOOR) 21 DAY FAST MONDAY, JANUARY 5th SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th
WEEKLY CLASSES: TOTAL LIFE CHALLENGE 2015 (8 WEEKS) January 4 - February 22 Sundays, 5:30-7:00pm, Mission Control (3rd Floor) HEALTHY U This class will help you live at your peak health and energy by teaching you how to grocery shop, cook and eat for maximum health and energy; how to prevent disease; how to lose weight; and so much more! Sundays, 10:00-10:45am, Room 3025 Mondays, 7:00-8:00pm, Room 3025 BASKETBALL CONNECTION Saturdays, 8:00-10:00am, Lakewood Gym (check in with security at Timmons entrance) STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Fridays, 7:00-7:45pm, Lakewood Gym (check in with security at Timmons entrance) ZUMBA Fridays, 7:45-8:30pm, Lakewood Gym (check in with security at Timmons entrance) SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS*: Samir Becic, Health Fitness Revolution healthfitnessrevolution.com Healthcorps, Founded by Dr Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz healthcorps.org * Nutritional tips for TLC 2015 provided by our partners CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 02
TOTAL LIFE CHALLENGE 2015 Total Life Challenge is an 8 week annual support program for the congregation of Lakewood Church. The mission is to assist families in creating a lifestyle of healthy living in all areas of their lives: Mind, Body and Spirit. By putting God first and asking for His help in changing our habits and behaviors, we seek to honor God in everything that we do. We strongly believe that honoring God with our temples (bodies) will help people live their best lives now. God says, with long life he will satisfy you and show you his salvation. We want to do our part in living a healthy lifestyle. SCRIPTURE FOCUS Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2 CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 03
COMMITMENT Commitment is key! You will only progress to the level of personal commitment you have to change. We believe God will do His part as we do ours. I,, personally commit to complete in the eight week Total Life Challenge. I will give my body and my health to God and ask for His help in changing my habits. I will fully participate in the activities of the challenge. I will, to the best of my ability, attend the Sunday sessions and at least one other class during the week to ensure I progress toward my personal goal. I will also focus on my spiritual relationship with God and renewing my mind. I commit to this on 2015. Signed, CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 04
FASTING FOCUS Biblical references to the spiritual discipline of fasting describe a practice of abstaining from food for a specified period of time. Fasting is a time of bringing the body under the control of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis. Instead of receiving the physical gratification of food and various other activities, we become very aware of the substance and power of the Holy Spirit. When we pray in this manner, it is not to get God s attention, to impress Him, or to change Him. Instead, our purpose is to focus our attention on Him as the only Source of all of our needs. Elmer Towns Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives. Through fasting, you can experience spiritual renewal, supernatural healing, a release from the bondage of sin, restoration in your relationships, financial blessings, and so much more! During this time of corporate fasting, we will take the time to empty ourselves so that God can fill us fresh and anew until we over flow with His Spirit, His presence, His power, and His anointing. Pray that the Lord will give us fresh insight and revelation as it pertains to our lives, our families, friends, and our Lakewood Church Family. We believe that as we pray and seek God and give Him our best here at the beginning of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year (Matthew 6:33)! BENEFITS OF FASTING 1. Improves your ability to hear from God (Ezra 8:21) 2. Builds you up spiritually (Matthew 4:2, 23, 24) 3. Lifts oppression and breaks demonic powers (Mark 9:29, Isaiah 58:6-8) 4. Leads you into a time of humility and repentance (Psalm 109:22-26) 5. Causes health to spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8) CORPORATE FASTING Psalm 133:1-3 tells us that when we come together (corporately) in unity, there the Lord has commanded His blessing. Corporate prayer was practiced throughout the Bible. In Acts 13:1-3 as they ministered to the Lord and fasted corporately, the Holy Spirit gave specific directions. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat, overwhelmed by an invasion, called the people to fast and pray. This corporate prayer and fasting resulted in Judah s victory over their enemy without a fight! In Ezra, 8:21-23, Ezra called a time of corporate prayer and fasting to seek God s wisdom and protection. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might fast before our God to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance... so we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was entreated of us. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 05
FASTING FOCUS SPECIFIC FAST Lakewood Church will be participating in what is known as a specific or partial fast consisting of vegetables, fruits, nuts and 100% natural juices. BEFORE YOU BEGIN Pray and seek God for direction regarding your fast. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of prayer and fasting. Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage, peace, etc.? Seek God s guidance and His Word regarding these situations. PREPARING LY Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and resist the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2). PHYSICAL PREPARATION/GUIDELINES Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm and requires preparation. Physical preparation makes the change in your eating routine a little easier so you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Begin eating smaller meals several days before you begin the 3-day portion of the fast. Consult your physician before fasting, particularly if you are taking medications or have a chronic ailment. Do not forget to take prescribed medications. Some people should not fast without professional supervision. They include: women who are pregnant or nursing; individuals who take insulin, or who suffer from any other blood sugar condition such as hypoglycemia; persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, heart disease, etc. Do not attempt to be a super faster. Our fasting does not impress God. WHAT TO EXPECT When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability, particularly during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your physical activity and exercise. Adapted from Fasting for Spiritual Breakthroughs by Elmer Towns and Jentezen Franklin Ministries Fasting at www.jentezenfranklin.org CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 06
WEEK 1 Relax. Don t take yourself too seriously and enjoy the process. Take time to laugh and enjoy the ride. Laugh as much as you can. YOUR PERSONAL GOAL (Decide what your why is): Examples: 1. Develop a lifestyle of healthy habits. 2. Naturally address diabetes issue 3. Loose 30 pounds and sustain healthy weight level. 4. Feel better. RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): God Empowers You! Did you know that your perception of God will determine the quality of your life? When you see Him as He really is a gracious, giving, loving Father who wants you to have everything you need and desire--- it will open your heart to receive all His blessings! Romans 8:32-34 MSG says, With God on our side like this how can we lose? If God didn t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and sending His own son, is there anything He wouldn t gladly and freely do for us? Meditate on this and know that God empowers you for victory! Declare this week: God is on my side and will freely give me everything I need to be successful!! I am blessed and cannot be cursed! You need to eat 5.5 ounces of protein per day. Protein helps build, maintain and repair body tissue. Examples of protein include meats, poultry, seafood, beans, peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts, seeds, etc. A brief warm up is crucial to preparing for a successful workout. Warming up gets your muscles ready and protects you from injury. Approximately 2 to 3 minutes. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 07
WEEK 2 Stay hydrated. Drink more water. Start your day with a glass of water. GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Renew Your Mind, Renew Your Life! Romans 12:2 NLT says, But let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God s will for YOU, which is good and pleasing and perfect! When Dr. Caroline Leaf spoke at Lakewood, She said, Your mind controls your brain and your brain controls your body! So everything in your life begins with your thought life! Do you think you will succeed? Who told you that you can t lose weight? Who told you that you can t be healed? Who told you winning wasn t an option? Those are lies from the enemy! Today make sure your thoughts line up with God s thoughts. Renew your mind and renew your life! Declare this week: Because I am renewing my mind to God s word, I am becoming healthy and whole in my body, soul, and spirit! Water helps you eliminate toxins and assists you in loosing weight. It helps you process nutrients and helps you boost your metabolism, it moisturizes your joints and skin. You can always add lemon or mint leaves to add flavor. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 08
WEEK 3 Eat an apple a day. Add more fruit to your daily diet. GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Write Your Goals Then Habakkuk 2:2 NLT says, Write the vision and make it plain. Have you written down the health goals you are working on? Sure, you may know in your mind what you are trying to accomplish but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision! If you haven t yet, take some time today and do it! If you have, pull those goals out and meditate on them. Post them on your bathroom mirror, or better yet, post them on the refrigerator! When you keep your goals in front of you it will help you to make good choices so you can see the vision come to pass! Declare this week: I keep my vision in front of me and I will accomplish what I set my focus on! You need to eat two cups of fruit per day. Fruits such as bananas, grapefruit, grapes, oranges, apples, etc. are healthier because they contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 09
WEEK 4 Take the stairs and skip the elevator (when possible) GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Stay the Course! This is our fourth week and if you re like me, you might be starting to feel a little weak or tired right now. We aren t the only ones! In II Corinthians 12:9, Paul was begging the Lord to remove a weakness he had and God said to Him, May grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness! This week, know that you are stronger than you think because God s strength is at work in you! Focus on His power and grace that is empowering you to stay the course towards victory! Declare this week: I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might! You need three cups of dairy per day. Dairy foods contain calcium, which is necessary for growth, strong bones and teeth. Calcium-fortified soy milk is also in the food group. Examples of dairy include milk products and food made from milk. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 10
WEEK 5 Snack on the right foods (small carrots, nuts, cup of fruit, or smoothie) GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Get Back Up! I love that with God we always have a new beginning. Proverbs 24:16 NIV says, For the righteous fall seven times, they rise again! If you ve gotten off course or made some mistakes, give yourself a fresh start God does! We are more than half way through the challenge so be encouraged! It s easy from here! You can make it and you will make it! Shake off any setbacks because it s a new day. If you have to, go back and meditate on some of the previous encouragements. Stir yourself up, get back up and press on towards the finish line! You re closer than you think! Declare this week: I am either up, or getting up. I press forward because victory is mine through Christ! You need to eat two and a half cups of vegetables each day. Vegetables such as tomatoes, celery, lettuce, green beans and carrots are healthy because they contain vitamins and minerals. They are also low in calories and high in fiber. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 11
WEEK 6 Loose the excuses. Just get up and do it. GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Cast the Weight! Wouldn t it be nice to just take those extra pounds and cast them off? Of course, we can t really do that instantly in the natural but sometimes spiritual weights cares, anxiety, worry throw us off course and actually cause us to gain weight in our bodies, too! Think about what happens when you get stressed. Do you run to the kitchen? What would happen if you ran to your prayer closet instead? I Peter 5:7 says, Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you! Cast the weight of your concerns on the Father and watch all the weight in your life disappear! Declare this week: I cast my cares on the Father and nothing can steal my peace and joy! CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 12
WEEK 7 Eat a healthy breakfast. Eat like a king in the morning GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Trust in the Lord! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding! Proverbs 3:5 God wants you to have a new confidence and trust that He is directing your steps! He had the solution before you had the problem, so you can trust that He is meeting your need now! Declare this week: God is giving me the desire and power to change any habits holding me back from His best for me! Breakfast gives you a burst of energy in the morning and keeps your energy up throughout the day. It refuels your mind and body after a good night s sleep. Breakfast gives you the strength needed to perform your very best when participating in physical activities or competing in sports. Breakfast is beneficial for your brain, memory, concentration and mood, which can help you perform better in school or at work. CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 13
WEEK 8 Find something you enjoy doing and just do it. (Running, biking, swimming). Go for a walk with your family. Make living healthy a lifestyle. GOAL PROGRESSION Examples: 1. Worked out 3x during week. 2. Attended class session 3. Ate more frequent meals 4. Incorporated vegetables into diet 5. Gave health to God and started fast RENEWING YOUR MIND (Mental): Rejoice in your Freedom! He who the Son sets free is free indeed! I know that God has been working in you and even if you haven t seen the fulfillment of what s in your heart, the seeds of change are growing and sprouting in you! Rejoice because God is transforming you and you will never be the same. As we finish up this 8 week challenge, let s rejoice together in all that God has done and will do in and through us! Declare today: I am free because Jesus set me free! I am growing healthier and stronger each and every day! CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 14
CONCLUSION: IT S ONLY THE BEGINNING How did you change during the 8-week challenge (Results)? How do you plan to sustain your new lifestyle? Is there a group you can start or join to continue with the support of others? What class makes sense for you to participate in at Lakewood Church? After your complete the first 8 weeks, what is your next goal? CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE M I N D B O D Y S P I R I T page 15