Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 7
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
February 16, 2025
Key Terms
1. Social isolation = having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction
2. Loneliness = a feeling of social isolation, the gap between actual and desired level of social connection
3. REALationships—Christ-centered relationships that help promote our holistic physical, mental, and spiritual, health and wellbeing
Sermon in a Sentence
We Need REALationships, Because We’re Better Together
Genesis 1:10,12,18, 21, 25,31 …And God saw that it was good. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Romans 12:4-5 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
5 Benefits of REALationships
1. REALationships help us be and do better
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend
Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses
2. REALationships, pick pick us up when we fall down
Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Galatians 6:1-2 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3. REALationships keep us warm when life gets cold
Ecclesiastes 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Mark 14:32-34 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of
death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
John 19: 25-27 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
14. 5. 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
REALationships help us fight back when life attacks
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity
Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you better a neighbor nearby than a brother far
away.
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
REALationships give us access to supernatural power
1 John 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Matthew 18:19-20 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Biblical Wisdom + Common Sense
Key Truths
Application—Build Some REALationships
1. 2. 3. 4. Sign up for a small group Bible Study
Attend Sunday morning worship, in person if possible
Make time to spend time social together
Reduce your social media time
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 6
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
February 9, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
Move Your Temple!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Our Health Formula
Biblical Wisdom + Scientific Evidence + Common Sense = Better Health
Unbelievable Research-Based Key Truth
Exercise improves our physical and mental health!
Biblical Wisdom on Physical Exercise (or Biblical Excuse?)
1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Biblical Wisdom + Common Sense
Key Truths
In the Bible Work Was Exercise
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:5,7-8,15 5When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Genesis 3:17-19 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your browyou will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;
for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Exodus 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Keep It Moving: 3 Insights on Life-Long Fitness from the Life of Caleb
Numbers 13:1-2, 1The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan,which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
Numbers 14:10a But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb.
1. Decide to Be Different
Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.
2. Find and Follow a God Given Vision for Your Future
Joshua 14:6-9 6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
3. Adopt a Mindset of Determination Not Limitation (Stay Battle Ready!)
Joshua 14:10-12 10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
4. Follow God Wholeheartedly
Joshua 14:13-14 13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizziteever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
Isaiah 40:29-31 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Application—Move Your Temple!
At Home—Clean, garden, do yard work, walk around the house, up and down the steps, stretch, work out, walk around the neighborhood, get some gear and equipment
At Work—Stand, take walking meetings, take the steps, attend hybrid meetings face-to-face
At Church—Come on time and stand for praise and worship! Shout!
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 5
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
February 2, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
The healthiest sex, is sex that’s aligned with the Divine design
(See Genesis 1:27, 2:23-24) Matthew 19:4-64 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Key Biblical Truths
1. According to the Bible, the Divine design for sex is a virgin man and a virgin woman, married for life
(See Genesis 1:27, 2:23-24) Matthew 19:4-6 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
2. The Divine design limits sex to Biblical marriage because it represents the relationship between Christ and the church
Ephesians 5:28-32 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Key Term: Sexual Immorality—Biblically, sexual immorality (translated from the Greek word porneia)—refers to any sexual activity outside of that between a virgin man and a virgin woman, who are married for life.
Key Truth: In the church, we are focused on sexual immorality in the world, but we should really mind OUR business
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Key Truth: Sexual immorality has serious adverse consequences
1. Sexual immorality abuses our bodies
1Corinthians 6:12-17 12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
2. Sexual immorality commits adultery against God
1 Corinthians 6:12-17 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
3. Sexual immorality is idolatry and can rob us of our eternal inheritance
Ephesians 5:3,5 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
4. We can’t undo our past sexual immorality BUT our past can be redeemed through Jesus Christ!
1Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
In the church, the solution for sexual immorality is marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 8-9 1 Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. 2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. 8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. 9 But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust.
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 4
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
January 26, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
Proper care and maintenance of our body-temples is discipleship (worship and stewardship)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? 20 You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.
Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 Principles to Follow to Feed and Hydrate Our Body-Temples for Better Health
1. Eat and drink what God created for us to eat and drink
Genesis 1:29 Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.
Genesis 9:3-4 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
Exodus 22:31 “You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.
Leviticus 7:22-23 22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. Leviticus 10, 11 and Deuteronomy 14 Distinguish Between Clean and Unclean
Leviticus 11:1-3,12,20,47 1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: 3 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. 12 Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you. 20 All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. 47 You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.’”
Mark 7:18-19 (NIV):"‘Are you so dull?’ he asked. ‘Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.’ (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)"
Leviticus 10:8-11 8 Then the Lord said to Aaron, 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, 10 so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and so you can teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.”
2. As much as possible, eat and drink what God created for us to eat and drink (before they are changed into something humans think is better)
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.
3. Don’t allow what we eat or drink to become our God (i.e., avoid addiction)
1 Timothy 6:10a For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Philippians 3:17-21 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Application
Join us on the Daniel Plan! Workout on Monday, come to prayer and class on Wednesday, eat real, fresh, whole food, drink healthier, move more, stress less, rest more, nurture heathy relationships, chat in the BC Daniel Plan 2025 Facebook group
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 3
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
January 19, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
Proper care and maintenance of our body-temples is discipleship (worship and stewardship)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own
[property]? 20 You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious
blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.
Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
Our Health Formula
Biblical Wisdom (Including the Culture and Historical Context) + Scientific Evidence + Common
Sense = Better Health
Key Truth
Our identity determines our activity
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
3 Questions to Ask and 3 Principles to Follow Feed and Hydrate Our Body-Temples for Better
Health
Question 1: Is what I eat and drink good for me?
1 Corinthians 10:23, 31 (NLT) 23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is
good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
Question 2: Is what I eat and drink good for others?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31 (NLT) 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of
others.
Question 3: Does what I eat and drink glorify God?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31 (NLT) 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all
for the glory of God.
3 Principles to Follow to Feed and Hydrate Our Body-Temples for Better Health
1. 2. Eat and drink what God created for us to eat and drink
Eat and drink what God intended for us to eat and drink, as closely as possible, the way
He made it (before they are changed into nutrient deficient or toxic products)
3. Don’t allow what we eat or drink to become our God (i.e., avoid addiction)
Application
a. January 13th – 22nd, Study what God says about how to care for our bodies, do the 10 Day
Daniel Detox (abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances) (pages 294-
296) in the Daniel Plan Book, abstain from meats, sugar, wheats, and dairy
b. Jan 13th – Feb 28th Do the Daniel Plan, eat real, fresh, whole food (see pages 294-331 for
meal plans), drink healthier, move more, stress less, rest more, nurture heathy
relationship.
c. Create a new lifestyle taking better care of our bodies, living life aligned with the Divine
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance
the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan, Week 2
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
January 12, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
Proper care and maintenance of our body-temples is discipleship (worship and stewardship)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? 20 You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious
blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.
Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
7 Principles for the Proper Care and Maintenance of our Body-Temples
1. Learn and apply God’s instruction on how to have healthy body-temples
Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will]. Because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
2. Have faith [belief demonstrated by action] that we want healthy body-temples John 5:6-9 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have
no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had
been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
3. Occasionally clean out (fast and detox) our body-temples
Matthew 6::16-18 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen;
and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
4. Properly feed and hydrate our body-temples Genesis 1:29 "Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole
earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
Genesis 9:3-4 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
5. Move our body-temples
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
6. De-stress and rest our body-temples
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and
successful.
Exodus 20:8-10 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor
your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. Mark 3:4 Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent.”
7. Fellowship our body-temples
Psalm 68:6a God sets the lonely in families.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Application
a. January 13 th – 22 nd , Study what God says about how to care for our bodies, do the 10 Day Daniel Detox (abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances) (pages 294-296) in the Daniel Plan Book, abstain from meats, sugar, wheats, and dairy
b. Jan 13 th – Feb 28 th Do the Daniel Plan, eat real, fresh, whole food (see pages 294-331 for
meal plans), drink healthier, move more, stress less, rest more, nurture heathy
relationships
c. Create a new lifestyle taking better care of our bodies, living life aligned with the Divine Design!
Vision 2025: Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Advance the Kingdom of God
The Daniel Plan Overview
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
January 5, 2025
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Sermon in a Sentence:
Dare to be different
5 Actions to Take If We Want to Be Different
Daniel 1:1-21 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
1. Resolve—make a firm decision—to be different
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
2. Expect God’s Help
9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
3. Assemble Your Team and Plan Your Plan
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
4. Execute Your Plan
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
5. Watch God Work
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Application
This Week
1. Get Ready (get your mind right)
a. 1/5/25 Start New Testament Reading Plan
b. Get the Daniel Plan Book and Workbook
c. Clarify your why—why you want to be healthier
d. Complete the Toxicity and Symptom Screening Questionnaire (pages 296-298) in The Daniel Plan Book.
e. Prepare for 10-day detox—let go of:
i. Stimulants and sedatives (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, etc.)
ii. Processed or fast food (things with additives and chemicals)
iii. All sugar and artificial sweeteners (ends in “lose” like fructose, sucralose, etc.)
iv. All dairy (milk, butter, cheese, yogurt)
v. All gluten (wheat, rye, barley, etc.)
2. Get Set
a. Clean out closets, refrigerator, etc. of things
b. Review the Daniel Plan Meal Plans
c. Meet this Wednesday
3. Go Jan. 12 – Feb 23
a. Do the 10 Day Daniel Detox (abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances) (pages 294-296) in the Daniel Plan Book
b. Eat real, fresh, whole food (see pages 294-331 for meal plans)
c. Implement the plan—eat and drink healthier, move more, stress less, nurture heathy relationships
Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).
