HEALTH VIRTUE GROUP

Because I value my body as Christ's temple, I choose to achieve and maintain optimum physical, mental, and spiritual health.

How To Be Healthy

Sunlight

God's ideal is for me to get the right amount of sunlight. It kills germs and provides vitamins to keep me healthy for His service.

Definition

Sunlight means: warmth and light

See flipchart

It may be at Morn, SDAH, 207
There is Sunshine in my soul, SDAH, 470
Gleams of the Golden Morning, SDAH, 205
In the Morning when I Rise, SDAH, 305

Student Life Applications

Because God created the sun to purify and give me vitamins, I will:

Get some sunlight each day;
Avoid staying in the sun too long causing sun burn or hurting my skin when I am older;
Use the sun to purify my bedding and clothes when that is the best way to do it;
Avoid looking directly at the sun which could damage my eyes;
Recognize the importance of the sun to make the plants grow healthy for my food;

Bible, E.G. White

Genesis 1:14-19 Let there be lights to divide the day from the night.
Psalm 136:7-9 The sun to rule by day, for his mercy endureth forever
Matthew 5:45 Your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good

Attention should be given also to sunlight and ventilation, ED 200
“How glad would they be to sit in the open air, rejoice in the sunshine,” MH 264
“They might have come from school with increased physical as well as mental strength, had they pursued their studies under proper conditions, with regular exercise in the sunlight and the open air.” ED 208
“When the sunlight of God’s love illuminates the darkened chambers of the soul, restless weariness and dissatisfaction will cease, and satisfying joys will give vigor to the mind and health and energy to the body.” MH 247.

Reinforcing Stories

“Priscilla Ann Visits Ann Sue”, Treasury of Devotional Aids for Home and School

Student Activities

1. Show plants that have had sunlight and those that have not had any. Note the difference and our need for sunshine, also
2. Talk about sunburn and any experiences that some have had
3. Talk about people who have worshiped the sun instead of the Creator
4. Show vitamin D pills as a medicine for people who don’t get sunshine.

Links to the Curriculum

Resources

Primary:
Tell or write about when you saw the hurt and unhappiness when someone was not getting sunlight.
How do you think God feels when He sees people in the sunlight?
How do you feel when you are in the sunlight?
What makes you want to be in the sunlight?
What is the opposite of sunlight? Who makes us act that way?

Middle:
Why does God care if I have sunlight?
What difference does it make whether I have sunlight or not?
What effect would it have on my future if I did not choose to get sunlight?
Give some reasons why you think it is best to get sunlight. Why would someone do differently?
What makes choosing to get sunlight better than the opposite?
List 3 situations where a person could get sunlight in his work, home, or at the shopping mall.
Can you think of someone who seems good at getting sunlight? What makes them better at it?
How could you learn to be better at getting sunlight?
How often do you get sunlight? Think of the last three times and tell me.
Do you like to join in when people are in the sunlight? How have you joined in?

High school:
What is the alternative to sunlight and what do you see as the results of that choice?
Would you keep quiet if someone paid you a lot of money not to get sunlight?
Are you proud to get sunlight and willing to tell others how you feel?
If someone in a group spoke out against sunlight would you speak up to give the other side?
What effect do you think sunlight will have on your future life?