Table 1.

Faith-DPP and Standard DPP Curriculum

Standard DPP Curriculum Learning Objectives	Faith Learning Objectives	Mini-Sermon Summary	Memory Verse	Faith Activity/Homework	Promises to Remember	Scripture References Faith Handout & Devotional
Week 1: Welcome to the National DPP - Describe purpose and benefits - Describe session content - Weight loss and physical activity goals established by the National DPP - Develop individual weight loss and physical activity goals - Importance of self-monitoring	We are created by God. God is the Creator; therefore, He is the sustainer. We are sustained by God’s Word.	The Purpose for a Better Me Within -Define biblical health, how to set a vision by looking to God and scripture -Describes health principles that lead to improved physical health and improved spiritual health -Biblical health is a state of physical and spiritual well-being -Possible through faith in Jesus Christ.	Psalm 119:73	Create a Vision Board	Ephesians 3:20 Proverbs 3:5–10 -Full and abundant life begin with seeking God’s plan for our lives. -Developing a vision for healthy living requires preparation through spending time in God’s Word and seeking obedience. -We have purpose because we know Christ. Live in that purpose through seeking and obeying God’s Word.	Acts 27:34 Deuteronomy 32: 47 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Genesis 43:28 Isaiah 58:8 Jeremiah 30:17; 33:6 Proverbs 3: 1–2,5–10; 4:22; 12:18; 13:17; 29:18 Psalm 42:11; 43:5; 67:2; 119:73 1 Peter 1:2 2 Samuel 20:9
Week 2: Be A Fat & Calorie Detective - Self-monitor weight - Document weight at home and at each session - Relationship between fat and calories - Reasons and basic principles of self-monitoring fat grams/calories -Identify personal fat gram goals -Practice using the Fat and Calorie Counter -Record daily fat grams -Calculate fat, calories, & serving sizes from nutrition labels	The plan for A Better Me Within begins with our steps being ordered by God. -Accepting God as the source of our wisdom, knowledge and strength -Receiving Biblical instruction for good health - Following the Biblical principles of good health	The Plan for a Better Me Within -God’s plan for how to use our bodies discussing biblical principles for good physical, mental, and spiritual health and the importance of understanding how being obedient to God’s commands can benefit our health -Specific scriptures highlighting health are included -God designed our body as a finely tuned, resilient instrument that can endure constant use and even pain/trauma, but it is fragile	Exodus 15:26	Matching activity to identify scriptures about actions/behaviors that lead to good health. During the week: Meditate/pray that God will help you to incorporate the principles in the Faith Activity in your life.	Ephesians 3:20 Romans 9:33b Become a Conscience Calorie Counter and Stay within Fat Gram Budget “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Jesus is ready to break the shackles that bind us (John 1:12). Christ is for our joy “These things have I spoken unto you … that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).	1 Corinthians 10:31 2 Corinthians 7:1 Deuteronomy 6:24; 14:1–3 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Exodus 15:26; 23:25 Ezekiel 11:18–19 Galatians 6:7 Genesis 1:29, 2:16, 3:18 Hebrews 4:13 Isaiah 55:2 James 4:17 John 14:15; 15:11 1 John 2:5; 3:3 3 John 1:2 Proverbs 3:1–2,8 Psalm 84:11 Romans 4:12
Week 3: Reducing Fat and Calories -Weigh and measure foods -Estimate the fat and calories of common foods -Describe three ways to eat less fat and fewer calories -Create a plan to eat less fat the following week	Remember God has placed high value on each of us. Your body is a temple you have received from God. Therefore honor God with your bodies by first acknowledging and then embracing your positive characteristics and qualities.	Building a Queenly Body Fit for The King -Biblically motivate ourselves to eat less fat and fewer calories -Honor the body because it is a temple of Holy Spirit (being mindful to measure food accurately, and watch portion sizes) -Physical and spiritual are connected so do not neglect one for the other -Educate yourself to know what is best for body and spirit (practice discipline in tracking fat grams & spiritual health) - Develop a plan for success (use technology or resources to assist you in monitoring your food intake)	1 Corinthians 6:19–20	List 10 positive characteristics or qualities (Individually or small group) Homework: Meditate on meaning of “body to be a temple of the living God”. -Impact on your life? -Review positive characteristics. How can these to propel your journey in the BMW Program?	Knowledge Is Power for Knowing What’s Best for Me Plan What We Eat To Develop Discipline within Me Make Better Choices with Self-Motivation for Me	1 Corinthians 6:19–20 3 John 1:2 1 Peter 3:3–4 Proverbs 14:1 Proverbs 23:7
Week 4: Healthy Eating -Health benefits of eating less fat and fewer calories - MyPlate food guide & recommendations - Compare/contrast guidelines with current eating habits -List ways to replace high-fat & high-calorie with low-fat & low-calorie foods -Importance of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, within fat gram goals -Eat foods from all groups -Eat a variety of foods -Eat a balanced diet	God has given us free will. He has prepared for us scriptural solutions to guide us through challenges and questions.	Replace Eating the Spiritually Fat for Eating the Spiritually Lean -Bible can motivate us to eat healthy - Healthy eating is determined both by what we eat and how we eat - By incorporating plant-based foods and avoiding excess fat our physical health improves. - Our spiritual health improves by feeding our spirit-Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.	Genesis 1:29	Word Search to identify Exodus 23:25 “I will take sickness away from among you” During the week: What are some changes you have been able to make in BMW with the help of God? What of your unwise choices would you be willing to trade for a healthier choice?	Knowledge Is Power for Knowing What’s Best for Me Making wise choices Develops Discipline within Me Knowing I’m never alone is Self-Motivation for Me	1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Exodus 23:25 Genesis 1:29 3 John 1:2 Leviticus 7:23–24 Matthew 4:4 1 Peter 3:3–4 Proverbs 23:7
Week 5: Move Those Muscles -Establish physical activity goal -Importance of physical activity goal -Describe current level of physical activity -Name ways already physically active -Develop personal plans for physical activity for the next week.	Believers must live out the command to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits.	The Provision for the Better Me Within -How to start treating your body like God’s temple through remembering the Holy Spirit dwells in you -Exercising wisdom in making decisions about food, training your body physically and gaining in godliness - Trust God’s promise that godliness is profitable now and forever	I Corinthians 6:19–20	Find a partner and pray for each other to be victorious as you begin the physical activity component of BMW. Helpful scriptures (Matthew 26:41, John 6:63, Romans 8:26) Homework: Write down names of group members & commit to pray for each other this week.	START MOVING Acts 17:28 “For in Him, we live and MOVE and have our being” START TRAINING I Timothy 4:7–8 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. 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.”	Acts 17:28 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 John 6:63 Matthew 26:41 Proverbs 23:1–2, 19–21, 29–32 Romans 8:26 1 Timothy 4:7–8
Week 6: Being Active: A Way of Life -Graph daily physical activity -Describe two ways to find time to be active -Define “lifestyle activity” -How to prevent injury -Develop an activity plan for the coming week.	God is faithful to provide all things to persevere in physical activity.	The Promises For A Better Me Within -Summarizes many of the promises in the bible that can help to transform our health -One of the titles of God is Jehovah Jireh, The Lord My Provider. - By focusing on promises of blessing, abundance, health and peace listed we can battle the weight of daily life (defeat, poverty, despair, sickness hopelessness, etc.), and achieve & sustain the goals we set for health (being active and eating well).	Isaiah 40:31	Get in groups of 2–3 and pray for each other to be victorious in physical activity this week.	Review the Promises of Blessing, Abundance, Health and Peace from the mini-sermon (Worksheet).	Deuteronomy 8:18; 28:6,8 Isaiah 26:3; 40:31;58:8 Jeremiah 29:11; 30:17 John 1:16; 14:27; 16:33 3 John 2 Malachi 3:10 Numbers 6:26 Proverbs 10:22; 28:20 Psalm 4:8; 31:19; 34:19; 35:28;102: 2–3; 103:2–3
Week 7: Tip the Calorie Balance -Define calorie balance -Explain how eating and being active are related to calorie balance - Relationship between calorie balance & weight loss - Describe progress as it relates to calorie balance - Develop an activity plan for the coming week	Imbalanced means out of proportion, unstable, instable, disturbed, unhinged. God has purpose for all things to balance at a proper time. We must submit to the balance God has for us because when we choose our own direction, life becomes imbalanced and unbalanced.	Balance Provides Purposeful Living -How to biblically motivate ourselves to tip the calorie balance A few ways to help us identify balance in our spiritual life and live healthy are: Feast at the proper time (Ecclesiastes 10:17), refrain from indulging daily (Daniel 10:3), and exercise wisdom considering your food carefully (Proverbs 23:1–31).	Ecclesiastes 10:17	Illustration activity from Health Coach with Discussion	Knowledge Is Power For Knowing What’s Best For Me Plan What We Eat To Develop Discipline Within Me Make Better Choices With Self-Motivation For Me	1 Corinthians 15:58 Daniel 10:3 Ecclesiastes 10:17 Philippians 3:19 Proverbs 23:1–31 Psalm 46:1 1 Samuel 26:23
Week 8: Take Charge of What’s Around You -Recognize positive and negative cues - Change negative food and activity cues to positive cues -Add positive cues for activity and eliminate cues for inactivity -Develop a plan for removing one problem food cue for the coming week	Revealing is Revelation.	Develop the Good within You, in order to Control What Is around You -How to be “like-minded” with Jesus to enable us to take charge of what’s around us -Changing your Attitude (Mindset) become aware of the many factors that influence our behavior related to eating and activity (Philippians 2:5) - Changing your Affiliation (Environment)-identify and change negative food and activity cues into positive cues (2 Corinthians 5:17) - Changing your Acquaintance (Authority) by adding positive cues for activity (James 4:7–8)	James 4:7–8	Participant matching activity led by the coach to help participants find commonality with one another.	Knowledge Is Power For Knowing What’s Best For Me Plan What We Eat To Develop Discipline Within Me Make Better Choices With Self-Motivation For Me	2 Corinthians 5:17 James 4:7–8 1 John 3:16 Mark 13:13 Philippians 2:5 Proverbs 17:17
Week 9: Problem Solving -List and describe five steps to problem solving -Apply five problem solving steps to resolve a problem with eating less fat and fewer calories or being more active.	Dependence upon God and the Scriptures is key to learning the process of problem solving which aids is the desirable outcome of a Better Me Within.	Problems Are Opportunities Waiting to Happen -How to view problems and create solutions through applying our faith -Scripture makes it clear that there will be problems and suffering in our lives -Several steps are outlined to assist with problem solving including: get the facts (Proverbs 18:13), be open to new ideas (Proverbs 18:15); hear all sides (Proverbs 18:17).	James 1:5	Journal how God is helping you problem solve: Step 1: Be honest & specific in written account of problem (Proverbs 12:17). Step 2: Brainstorm Your Options; depend on God (Proverbs 3:4–6). Step 3: Pick 1 Option to Try; ask God to instruct you. (James 1:5–8) Step 4: Make a plan (Jeremiah 32:18b–19) Step 5: Try It; Have faith God will not let you fail. (Romans 8:28)	Remember these scriptures when you face problems-Matthew 10:24 and Romans 8:17–18. When we are in a difficult place, recall to mind how God has delivered you before Jesus is sufficient for everything, everybody, and in every circumstance.	James 1:2–5 John 16:33 Matthew 11:28 Proverbs 3:4–6; 18:13, 15, 17 Psalm 145:14 Romans 8:28 2 Thessalonians 1:5
Week 10: Healthy Eating Out -List and describe the four keys for healthy eating out -Give examples of how to apply these keys at restaurants participants go to regularly -Make an appropriate meal selection from a restaurant menu -Demonstrate how to ask for a substitute item using assertive language and a polite tone of voice	We are reduced to choice makers. Choose you this day, which appetite you will satisfy?	What Would Jesus Eat -Principles of eating from the Bible and the availability of certain foods during biblical times. -The possible diet of Jesus based on his period of life is discussed as well as the importance of health in scripture. -Suggestions are described to plan for meals and eating out.	1 Corinthians 6:12	Discussion questions- How will you appropriate God’s Word to free you from your former way of thinking about eating out? What changes are you willing to make to do this? Memorize one of the verses presented in this lesson. Before you go out to eat, pray the Scripture, asking God to strengthen you as you go out to eat.	-As our Lord did, always remember to respond rather than react to life. The more we practice responding the more likely it is to become a life principle. -Let your choices be guided by the Holy Spirit. -Reliance upon God’s Word enables you to resist temptation and follow in obedience. -When facing temptation, we always have a choice and God always provides a way of escape.	1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:12,19–20; 9:27; 10:31 Deuteronomy 6:24 Ecclesiastes 2:22–23; 3:13; 5:12; 10:17 Exodus 20:9.10; 23:25 Genesis 1:29; 2:16; 3:18 Isaiah 52:11; 55:2 3 John 1:2 Luke 21:34 Matthew 5:23–24 Proverbs 14:30; 17:22; 23:2,7 Psalm 84:11; 127:2
Week 11: Talk Back to Negative Thoughts -Give examples of negative thoughts that interfere with losing weight and being more physically active -Describe how to stop negative thoughts and talk back to them with positive thoughts -Practice 1) stopping negative thoughts and 2) talking back to negative thoughts with positive ones	Talk BACK! … to the negative	With Christ All Things Are Possible For Me -How to recognize and fight negative thoughts. -Negative thoughts can be habitual. -Keys to changing negative thoughts are to remember truth through scripture “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13), counter them with positive thoughts (Romans 4:17), and ask for help from Jesus through prayer; he can help in our time of need (Psalm 61:1–2).	Psalm 61:1–2	List 1 thing in your journal/notes that is a habitual negative thought. Look at it carefully and prepare a response for it and say it out loud. Take time in class to share your negative thoughts with the group, and help one another with encouraging words to battle the negative thought.	I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Calls those things which do not exist as though they did The most power antidote for negative thoughts is to stop them mid-sentence and counter them with positive thoughts and prayer.	Mark 5:8 Philippians 4:13 Psalm 61:1–2 Romans 4:17; 7:18–23
Week 12: Slippery Slope of Lifestyle Change -Describe their current progress toward defined goals -Describe common causes for slipping from healthy eating or being active -Explain what to do to get back on their feet after a slip	Slips Happen … Take Time To Learn From Them	I’ve Fallen Down and I Can Get UP! -How to recover after a slip. -When you slip there is hope and you can receive help from God to regain control. -Remember these steps: slipping off the path to healthy eating and physical activity is natural (Proverbs 24:16); don’t give up, keep a positive attitude, and regain control as soon as possible (Philippians 4:13); slips are opportunities to learn (Philippians 4:12).	Proverbs 24:16a	Try to build a house of cards; discuss this activity with the Health Coach and apply it to slips in life. Find passages in scripture that can encourage you when a slip occurs. Write them down, and put them in a place where you can see them regularly	Slips are Opportunities to Learn When You Slip Don’t Give Up Slipping Is Natural, Normal and Usual…Learn From It, Refocus and Move On	Philippians 4:12–13 Proverbs 24:16
Week 13: Jump Start Your Activity Plan -Describe ways to add interest & variety to activity plans -Define aerobic fitness -Explain the four F.I.T.T. principles (frequency, intensity, time, and type of activity) and how they relate to aerobic fitness	Remain steadfast. Persevere and press on.	What Makes You Move? -Getting to know God better through reading scripture, and being obedient to God can have a positive impact on our health physically, mentally and spiritually. -Practical steps to apply your faith and encourage physical activity are outlined. - Benefits such as being able to serve the Lord are also described.	Isaiah 40: 29–31	In each Scripture on the worksheet, list the promises and conditions. Share with others how you can be obedient and God can fulfill the promise to you. Ask the Lord to help you to discover new ways to “stay the course” and to increase your activity to greater heights of fitness and physical strength.	Though our bodies are wasting away daily, we are encouraged to be good stewards of God’s gift to us, our bodies, by achieving a balance that promotes both spiritual and physical health. A regular physical activity routine in addition to a healthy eating plan significantly reduces the risk of many diseases and helps us to maintain optimum well-being.	Colossians 2:20–23 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Galatians 6:9 Isaiah 40:29–31 James 1:25 Mark 12:30 Matthew 11:28–29; 18:21–22 Philippians 4:13 Proverbs 3:7–8; 14:30 Psalm 119:93,143 Romans 12:1–2 1 Samuel 16:7 1 Thessalonians 5:17 1 Timothy 4:8
Week 14: Make Social Cues Work for You -Examples of problem and helpful social cues -How to remove problem social cues and add helpful ones -Describe ways of coping with vacations, social events, holidays, & visits -Create an action plan to replace problem social cue with helpful one	Learn to conquer the war within.	Who’s Influencing You? -How to reflect on our cues (social, environmental, physical) to help us identify habits and patterns that lead to poor health habits. -By identifying these cues, new patterns for positive health can be established. - Examples from Jesus’ life are used to show how his purpose influenced his response to situations. -A challenge is given to plan for situations with a response and practice it to create new habits.	2 Corinthians 10:3–5 Ephesians 6:13–18	Use your vision board or create a new one and apply the armor of God from Ephesians 6 to it. Review scriptures that are applicable to each type of armor and, write them on your board. Use them to help you combat negative social cues.	The power of a purpose is our motivation to always be prepared to respond rather than react. Having a planned response to negative social cues will assist in forming new habits.	1 Corinthians 6:19–20 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 Ephesians 2:10; 5:18; 6:13–18 Isaiah 62:5 John 14:23 Philippians 2:14 Romans 12:2
Week 15: You Can Manage Stress -How to prevent or cope with stress -Program can be stressful -How to manage stress -Action plan for preventing/coping with stress	Your Worship can defeat the war of stress.	Your Walk Is Your Warrior Against Worry (Stress) -How to overcome the effects of stress by putting to practice simple coping tools for life. -One illustration is through worship. -Job’s life is used as an example through this section.	Job 1:20	Identify a stress point in your life. How can you handle it through worshipping God? List 3 of worship stances and share with the class.	The Victory of the War is in your Worship Seek God first for directions for me Develop coping tools that help me Maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports me	Job 1:11,20; 6:6–7 Matthew 6:25–34 Psalm 1; 40:1–3; 55:1–7
Week 16: Ways to Stay Motivated -Measure progress toward weight and physical activity goals -Develop a plan for improving progress, if goals have not yet been attained -Describe ways to stay motivated long-term	You can do it!!!!!	Knowledge Is Power to Motivate The Unmotivated -How to stay motivated to live a healthy and blessed lifestyle. -The example of David is used to show how he prayed and remembered the promises of God in times of discouragement and fear. - A deep connection to God can keep us motivated when our own efforts begin to falter.	1 Samuel 30:6	Write 10 reasons or strategies to keep yourself encouraged and motivated.	Remind yourself of your strength in the Lord! Motivation Comes From Within Me When I Have The Holy Ghost Within Me Knowledge Is Power That Transforms Me Success Is Achievement That Surpasses Me Progress Is Forward Movement That Motivates Me	1 Samuel 30:6,8 Psalms 121:1