The word of God is to your soul as water is to your body. It is life! Reading the Bible is important because it instills you with the Holy Spirit. Through the Word, you find peace of mind, hope, healing, and joy. When the Holy Spirit is instilled inside of you, fear, and anxiety fade to the background; rarely resurfacing and easily pushed away when it does. Reading the Bible strengthens your faith, teaches you mercy & forgiveness, and fills you with the love & peace that only God can provide. All you must do to experience this is to immerse your spirit into the word of God. Make it a priority in your life to read and study the Bible.
God should be first in your life and your eternal soul deserves more of your time.
The Daniel Plan
Join me on this 40-day (plus) journey to better health. I will post my Bible Study notes using my standard format – but will customize it to fit the program; I will also make videos and post them to my TikTok, You Tube and Rumble accounts (maybe Insta and Facebook, too). I will be upfront and tell you the videos will be the same on all the platforms, so you don’t need to go from platform to platform to participate. At some point during this study, I plan to do some virtual live events (most likely on Facebook, but if we can increase our follower counts we can go live on TikTok, too) so we can all interact and support each other in real-time.
As for the materials needed for this study, I am going to start with the main book and the journal. Here are the links to get the materials (note these are affiliate links) "The Daniel Plan – 40-Days To A Healthier Life“, “The Daniel Plan Journal“, or buy them together in the 2-book set. As you can see from the provided links to the left, there are several more books / DVDs in the series. You are welcome to buy the entire series and go deeper into your study of The Daniel Plan, but don’t feel like you have to get the additional material to do the study with me. Just get the main book and the journal and you’ll have what you need to start the program.
I do plan to get the other books for our family and may implement them into the study as we get further into it. If I do introduce other material, I will let you know what material I’m using and provide you with the links so you can get the material to follow along if you are interested in it, but again, the only required material for this study is the “The Daniel Plan – 40-Days To A Healthier Life” and “The Daniel Plan Journal“. If you do join in with me, make sure to message me using the Holler At Us form, so I know you are participating.TIP: Get the main book as an ebook for the Kindle (and download the Kindle app on your phone) and get the journal in physical form so you have it to write in.
Koutz Farm Bible Study: The Daniel Plan (Day 4)
To begin this Bible Study, simply read the sections below: “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", “How”, and “The Study Notes”. Use your own Bible as a reference and make sure to keep a journal handy for taking notes as the Lord guides you through your spiritual studies. When you are done, read the Prayer section (and pray along with us). Make sure to review the Action section and use our action points or make up your own actions. Make sure to check out our Questions & Answers section and if you want to dive deeper into your study invest some time in our References section, as well. This is how our Bible Study Format will be in this and all future Bible Study Posts. Let's get started...
Welcome to Day 4 of the Koutz Farm Bible Study for “The Daniel Plan“. We are reading page 23 – 30 today. Expand each section below (Who, What, When, Where, How, & Study Notes) to read our notes for today’s Bible study of “The Daniel Plan“. If you have not ordered your study materials yet, you can click the affiliate links to the right to get the books we are using. Make sure to read Day 1, 2, & 3’s notes to see other books/DVDs in the series. Don’t forget to let us know you are doing the study with us so we can reach out to you and support each other. Simply fill out the form on our Holler At Us page and tell us you are joining the “Daniel Plan Bible” Study. Let’s jump in to day 4.
Side note: If you want to get the additional books/DVDs in the series for a more in-depth study on your own, we have provided links to those below.
Note Make sure to read the disclaimers provided in the study materials from the authors/publishers. Also, make sure to read Koutz Farm’s disclaimers at the bottom of the page. Koutz Farm does not specialize in nutrition or medical services and this Bible study is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it meant to replace the advice/support of a medical professional. Make sure to consult your doctor before participating in any health, nutrition, or fitness program including those discussed in “The Daniel Plan”. Your participation is at your own discretion and at your own risks.
The “WHO” of today’s reading is of course, still you and God, but now we end the reading with an added “WHO”. Who is going to be in your corner while you go through “The Daniel Plan“? Who is going to support you, pray for you, encourage you, give you feedback? Who is going to check on you to make sure you are okay? Who might be willing to do “The Daniel Plan” with you? This is where I come in – or where you come in for me! We can be each other’s “WHO” if you are willing. Make sure to reach out to me using my “Holler At Us” form and let me know you are doing “The Daniel Plan” Bible study with me and I’ll reach out to you so we can be a pillar of support to each other.
We are still talking about habits and how to make long-lasting, lifetime, changes. “The Daniel Plan” goes over 5 essential elements for lasting change. These 5 elements are the “WHAT” today.
The “WHEN” hasn’t changed since we started this study. The “WHEN” is the present time and your future. This study is about YOU and GOD – so we aren’t researching the past. We are analyzing the current you, building a new you, and putting away the old you.
The “WHERE” also hasn’t changed today. The “WHERE” is in your body and mind.
The "WHY" for Day 4 of "The Daniel Plan" study
“The Daniel Plan” introduces 5 elements for lasting change and these elements are the “HOW” of today’s reading.
In reading the “Five Elements For Lasting Change” section of Chapter 1 of the main book, “The Daniel Plan“, and noting some of my thoughts as I read, here are my study notes:
“The Daniel Plan” starts our study off by telling us lasting change is based on 5 essential elements. Read Chapter 1 of “The Daniel Plan” to learn what the 5 elements are.
The famous quote, “The truth will set you free” is built on the foundation of the Bible – read John 8:31 – 32. Freedom is a promise from Jesus based on knowing the truth, and knowing the truth is based on being a true follower of Christ.
Before you can enjoy the bliss of freedom, you must first come face to face with the unpleasant truths of the world; truths you don’t like about the world you live in and truths about yourself that you don’t want to acknowledge.
Warren tells us, “until you face the TRUTH about WHY you do what you do and get to the root of your habits, change is likely to be shallow and short-lived.”
If you aren’t willing face the truth about yourself, to be honest with yourself and God, and put in the work for lasting change, if all you want (and are willing to try ) is a quick fix, then “The Daniel Plan” is not for you.
You must choose to change – not just day dream about it. Health doesn’t come by accident or by someone else doing it for you. Warren tells us change requires intentionality on your part. Warren recalls, “As a pastor I have met many people who were praying for God to heal illnesses and sicknesses that could easily be reversed if they simply made healthier choices.”
You must put away the old self to step into the new self God promised you – the new self mentioned in Ephesians 4:22 – 24. Warren reminds us the old self is the version of you that made the choices that caused the destruction in the first place.
The mind-body connection is real. You must first change the way you think before you can start to heal.
God’s will for you is is good, pleasing and perfect, but you cannot experience God’s will for your life if you don’t change the way you think and allow God to transform you.
I love Warren’s explanation of the word “repentance”. It isn’t just “hey, God, forgive me of this thing I did”, Warren explains it this way, “The biblical word for changing your mind is “repentance”. To repent is to make a mental U-turn.”
What old ways of thinking do you need to change?
Warren tells us to fill our mind with the Bible, God’s truth. I’d take it a step further and say fill your heart with a desire for an intimate relationship with God.
“The Daniel Plan” will teach you to think differently, to replace negative thinking instead of resisting it. Victory starts in your mind and by learning to harness the power inside of you, these thoughts will lose their power over you.
Warren tells us, “the secret to self-control is to allow ourselves to be Spirit-controlled”. Remember, what apostle Paul said, as Warren reminds us, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
“The Daniel Plan” tells us that some of our behaviors are so deep-rooted we can’t change on our own. We need community to help us. That is why “The Daniel Plan” has a team-based approach to success built-in to its foundation.
God created us to live in a community and to rely on each other. Warren notes, “God hates loneliness. So he made us to need each other.”
Warren speaks of his own church’s success with “The Daniel Plan“, noting those that worked together in small groups lost more weight and were more successful than those who tried it on their own. Having other people to check on you, encourage you, pray for you, give you feedback, and to generally support you, is a key element to success with “The Daniel Plan“.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 12 (NLT) “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble…. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”.
Dear Lord In Heaven,,
I pray to you with repentance in my heart, a desire for change, a desire for you to guide me to a healthier and more fulfilling life. I want to serve you, My God, My Creator. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wiped clean of this sin-filled worldly filth that has corrupted my mind and destroyed my body. The very choices I have made along the way have led me to the very path of destruction you warn us about in your Holy Word. I ask you to help me change, accept my repenting heart and show me the way, give me your power to change the way I think, to change the way I react, and to guide my actions and thoughts to be more aligned with you and your plan for my life, Lord.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Read: “The Daniel Plan” pages 23 - 30
Read: John 8:31 – 32, Ephesians 4:22 – 24, Romans 6:16, Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:22 – 23, Philippians 4:13, Genesis 2:18, Hebrews 10:25, Galatians 6:2, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Matthew 18:20, Philippians 1:6, 3 John 2
Go online and register at https://www.danielplan.com. By doing this you’ll have access to more helpful resources as you go through the program.
In this section, you are asked a question – “What old ways of thinking do you need to change?” Get out a piece of paper or open up your journal (on the blank green page in the front) and write down the question at the top – then list 3 to 5 things you think about yourself or habits you want to change.
Here are mine:
Quit using sugar as a stress-coping mechanism.
Quit beating yourself up because you can’t do things the way you used to be able to do them, before Fibromyalgia took over.
Find ways to make water something you want to drink. You must hydrate with water – NOT Dr. Pepper!
Quit comparing your progress/skills to others. You are talented, smart, and have your own unique gifts God gave you. Trust in God’s timing.
Yes, exercise HURTS because of Fibro, but you still have to exercise. They say exercise helps alleviate the pain, and so far you haven’t found that to be true, but it doesn’t matter. You HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN to stay alive and to thrive. The only way that is going to work is if you lean fully into God when the pain gets worse.
The author, Rick Warren, said you can connect with him and he’d love to hear from you about what happens in your life because of this program. In case you want to follow him on social media or reach out to him:
Twitter: @RickWarren
Facebook: PasterRickWarren
LinkedIn: Pastor Rick Warren
Order your Bible Study Materials for this study: “The Daniel Plan“, “The Daniel Plan Journal“, or the 2-book set.
IS BEING A SLAVE TO GOD A BAD THING?
No. The word "SLAVE" has a very bad vibe in our hearts because of the historical context of what humans did to enslave each other, but being a slave to God is not the same. Being a spiritual slave to God means LOVING Him and obeying His commandments because you respect His power and His love for you. You know what He wants is for your GOOD and not to harm you. Serving Him and suffering on this earth for Him leads to knowledge, truth, freedom, joy, and an eternity in His glorious kingdom. Being His slave is a blessing, it means being protected and carried in His arms forever.
WHY AM I NOT BEING HEALED BY GOD WHEN I PRAY AND ASK FOR HEALING OR KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE PRAYED HEALING OVER ME / FOR ME?
3 possible reasons. 1) Warren asks: why should God heal you if you have no intention of changing the choices that led to your illness? 2) God is going to use you for something greater than you could ever imagine. There is a plan behind it that you can't see. 3) You haven't given yourself truly/fully to God. The devil has a hold on you or you are being influenced or even possessed by demons that are causing your issues to persist.
You must repent and give yourself fully to God. You must seek deliverance if you are under evil influence.
ISN'T THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION CONCEPT A "NEW-AGE" TEACHING?
The concept of mind-body is not "New-Age" at all. The "New-Agers" have tapped into the mind-body connection and the energy of all things. As Christians, we need to understand there is a mind-body-energy connection we need to tap into to be able to heal. This is grounded in Biblical scripture. We'll cover this more throughout this Bible Study, so keep coming back and learning with us.
For a great read on the mind-body connection, check out our references section and read "The Biblical Perspective On The Mind-Body Problem, Part 1" by Jay Adams.
We suggest getting either the two-book set with the Journal and The Daniel Plan in a physical copy that you can use to take notes in etc. At minimum, you can do what we did at first and buy the Journal in physical form and The Daniel Plan book in the digital form (on platforms like Amazon's Kindle Unlimited or Audible).
*There are affiliate links on this page. Koutz Farm may qualify for a monetary or equivalent referral bonus if you click on the link and make a purchase from the vendor. Make sure to read our Legal Terms & Conditions for more details about affiliate links. By clicking on any one of these links, you confirm that you are in agreement with all of our disclaimers, terms and conditions. The vendor may have different legal terms, disclaimers, and agreements so make sure to read theirs as well.
(Affiliate links don’t cost you anything to click – it only takes you to the product on the vendor’s site. If you decide to buy the product, then of course you will pay for the product like you would do if you were online shopping on your own. The only difference is, if you make a purchase, the vendor will give us a financial “reward” for sending you over to their site. That’s pretty much all there is to it.”)
Materials Needed For The Daniel Plan Study
Join us on August 1st, 2023 as Koutz Farm starts the next Bible study, this time we are focusing on getting healthier by using the Word of God to guide us to better eating, better physical activity, better mental health, and more.
From CJ: As a person that suffers with Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, Degenerative Disk Disease, and more, and with a spouse that suffers daily with Tinnitus and extreme acid reflux issues, I’ve been wanting to do this study for a long time. Unfortunately, when I started the “Daniel Plan” study the first time, I gave-up early on because I didn’t have any support with the program and it was before my official diagnosis – meaning I was suffering without medication and was sick all the time. Now, I’m ready to jump in to this and stick with it even though, and especially because, I suffer with chronic pain and the side effects of that every day. I am motivated, this time with more support from my family (although I don’t think they’ll participate fully in the study with me, I know they’ll support me through it). Plus, I have all of you to hold me accountable and support me along this journey, as well.
Koutz Farm Bible Study: The Daniel Plan (Day 4)
To begin this Bible Study, simply read the sections below: “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", “How”, and “The Study Notes”. Use your own Bible as a reference and make sure to keep a journal handy for taking notes as the Lord guides you through your spiritual studies. When you are done, read the Prayer section (and pray along with us). Make sure to review the Action section and use our action points or make up your own actions. Make sure to check out our Questions & Answers section and if you want to dive deeper into your study invest some time in our References section, as well. This is how our Bible Study Format will be in this and all future Bible Study Posts. Let's get started...
Welcome to Day 4 of the Koutz Farm Bible Study for “The Daniel Plan“. We are reading page 23 – 30 today. Expand each section below (Who, What, When, Where, How, & Study Notes) to read our notes for today’s Bible study of “The Daniel Plan“. If you have not ordered your study materials yet, you can click the affiliate links to the right to get the books we are using. Make sure to read Day 1, 2, & 3’s notes to see other books/DVDs in the series. Don’t forget to let us know you are doing the study with us so we can reach out to you and support each other. Simply fill out the form on our Holler At Us page and tell us you are joining the “Daniel Plan Bible” Study. Let’s jump in to day 4.
Side note: If you want to get the additional books/DVDs in the series for a more in-depth study on your own, we have provided links to those below.
Note Make sure to read the disclaimers provided in the study materials from the authors/publishers. Also, make sure to read Koutz Farm’s disclaimers at the bottom of the page. Koutz Farm does not specialize in nutrition or medical services and this Bible study is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it meant to replace the advice/support of a medical professional. Make sure to consult your doctor before participating in any health, nutrition, or fitness program including those discussed in “The Daniel Plan”. Your participation is at your own discretion and at your own risks.
The “WHO” of today’s reading is of course, still you and God, but now we end the reading with an added “WHO”. Who is going to be in your corner while you go through “The Daniel Plan“? Who is going to support you, pray for you, encourage you, give you feedback? Who is going to check on you to make sure you are okay? Who might be willing to do “The Daniel Plan” with you? This is where I come in – or where you come in for me! We can be each other’s “WHO” if you are willing. Make sure to reach out to me using my “Holler At Us” form and let me know you are doing “The Daniel Plan” Bible study with me and I’ll reach out to you so we can be a pillar of support to each other.
We are still talking about habits and how to make long-lasting, lifetime, changes. “The Daniel Plan” goes over 5 essential elements for lasting change. These 5 elements are the “WHAT” today.
The “WHEN” hasn’t changed since we started this study. The “WHEN” is the present time and your future. This study is about YOU and GOD – so we aren’t researching the past. We are analyzing the current you, building a new you, and putting away the old you.
The “WHERE” also hasn’t changed today. The “WHERE” is in your body and mind.
The "WHY" for Day 4 of "The Daniel Plan" study
“The Daniel Plan” introduces 5 elements for lasting change and these elements are the “HOW” of today’s reading.
In reading the “Five Elements For Lasting Change” section of Chapter 1 of the main book, “The Daniel Plan“, and noting some of my thoughts as I read, here are my study notes:
“The Daniel Plan” starts our study off by telling us lasting change is based on 5 essential elements. Read Chapter 1 of “The Daniel Plan” to learn what the 5 elements are.
The famous quote, “The truth will set you free” is built on the foundation of the Bible – read John 8:31 – 32. Freedom is a promise from Jesus based on knowing the truth, and knowing the truth is based on being a true follower of Christ.
Before you can enjoy the bliss of freedom, you must first come face to face with the unpleasant truths of the world; truths you don’t like about the world you live in and truths about yourself that you don’t want to acknowledge.
Warren tells us, “until you face the TRUTH about WHY you do what you do and get to the root of your habits, change is likely to be shallow and short-lived.”
If you aren’t willing face the truth about yourself, to be honest with yourself and God, and put in the work for lasting change, if all you want (and are willing to try ) is a quick fix, then “The Daniel Plan” is not for you.
You must choose to change – not just day dream about it. Health doesn’t come by accident or by someone else doing it for you. Warren tells us change requires intentionality on your part. Warren recalls, “As a pastor I have met many people who were praying for God to heal illnesses and sicknesses that could easily be reversed if they simply made healthier choices.”
You must put away the old self to step into the new self God promised you – the new self mentioned in Ephesians 4:22 – 24. Warren reminds us the old self is the version of you that made the choices that caused the destruction in the first place.
The mind-body connection is real. You must first change the way you think before you can start to heal.
God’s will for you is is good, pleasing and perfect, but you cannot experience God’s will for your life if you don’t change the way you think and allow God to transform you.
I love Warren’s explanation of the word “repentance”. It isn’t just “hey, God, forgive me of this thing I did”, Warren explains it this way, “The biblical word for changing your mind is “repentance”. To repent is to make a mental U-turn.”
What old ways of thinking do you need to change?
Warren tells us to fill our mind with the Bible, God’s truth. I’d take it a step further and say fill your heart with a desire for an intimate relationship with God.
“The Daniel Plan” will teach you to think differently, to replace negative thinking instead of resisting it. Victory starts in your mind and by learning to harness the power inside of you, these thoughts will lose their power over you.
Warren tells us, “the secret to self-control is to allow ourselves to be Spirit-controlled”. Remember, what apostle Paul said, as Warren reminds us, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
“The Daniel Plan” tells us that some of our behaviors are so deep-rooted we can’t change on our own. We need community to help us. That is why “The Daniel Plan” has a team-based approach to success built-in to its foundation.
God created us to live in a community and to rely on each other. Warren notes, “God hates loneliness. So he made us to need each other.”
Warren speaks of his own church’s success with “The Daniel Plan“, noting those that worked together in small groups lost more weight and were more successful than those who tried it on their own. Having other people to check on you, encourage you, pray for you, give you feedback, and to generally support you, is a key element to success with “The Daniel Plan“.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 12 (NLT) “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble…. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”.
Dear Lord In Heaven,,
I pray to you with repentance in my heart, a desire for change, a desire for you to guide me to a healthier and more fulfilling life. I want to serve you, My God, My Creator. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wiped clean of this sin-filled worldly filth that has corrupted my mind and destroyed my body. The very choices I have made along the way have led me to the very path of destruction you warn us about in your Holy Word. I ask you to help me change, accept my repenting heart and show me the way, give me your power to change the way I think, to change the way I react, and to guide my actions and thoughts to be more aligned with you and your plan for my life, Lord.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Read: “The Daniel Plan” pages 23 - 30
Read: John 8:31 – 32, Ephesians 4:22 – 24, Romans 6:16, Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:22 – 23, Philippians 4:13, Genesis 2:18, Hebrews 10:25, Galatians 6:2, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Matthew 18:20, Philippians 1:6, 3 John 2
Go online and register at https://www.danielplan.com. By doing this you’ll have access to more helpful resources as you go through the program.
In this section, you are asked a question – “What old ways of thinking do you need to change?” Get out a piece of paper or open up your journal (on the blank green page in the front) and write down the question at the top – then list 3 to 5 things you think about yourself or habits you want to change.
Here are mine:
Quit using sugar as a stress-coping mechanism.
Quit beating yourself up because you can’t do things the way you used to be able to do them, before Fibromyalgia took over.
Find ways to make water something you want to drink. You must hydrate with water – NOT Dr. Pepper!
Quit comparing your progress/skills to others. You are talented, smart, and have your own unique gifts God gave you. Trust in God’s timing.
Yes, exercise HURTS because of Fibro, but you still have to exercise. They say exercise helps alleviate the pain, and so far you haven’t found that to be true, but it doesn’t matter. You HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN to stay alive and to thrive. The only way that is going to work is if you lean fully into God when the pain gets worse.
The author, Rick Warren, said you can connect with him and he’d love to hear from you about what happens in your life because of this program. In case you want to follow him on social media or reach out to him:
Twitter: @RickWarren
Facebook: PasterRickWarren
LinkedIn: Pastor Rick Warren
Order your Bible Study Materials for this study: “The Daniel Plan“, “The Daniel Plan Journal“, or the 2-book set.
IS BEING A SLAVE TO GOD A BAD THING?
No. The word "SLAVE" has a very bad vibe in our hearts because of the historical context of what humans did to enslave each other, but being a slave to God is not the same. Being a spiritual slave to God means LOVING Him and obeying His commandments because you respect His power and His love for you. You know what He wants is for your GOOD and not to harm you. Serving Him and suffering on this earth for Him leads to knowledge, truth, freedom, joy, and an eternity in His glorious kingdom. Being His slave is a blessing, it means being protected and carried in His arms forever.
WHY AM I NOT BEING HEALED BY GOD WHEN I PRAY AND ASK FOR HEALING OR KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE PRAYED HEALING OVER ME / FOR ME?
3 possible reasons. 1) Warren asks: why should God heal you if you have no intention of changing the choices that led to your illness? 2) God is going to use you for something greater than you could ever imagine. There is a plan behind it that you can't see. 3) You haven't given yourself truly/fully to God. The devil has a hold on you or you are being influenced or even possessed by demons that are causing your issues to persist.
You must repent and give yourself fully to God. You must seek deliverance if you are under evil influence.
ISN'T THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION CONCEPT A "NEW-AGE" TEACHING?
The concept of mind-body is not "New-Age" at all. The "New-Agers" have tapped into the mind-body connection and the energy of all things. As Christians, we need to understand there is a mind-body-energy connection we need to tap into to be able to heal. This is grounded in Biblical scripture. We'll cover this more throughout this Bible Study, so keep coming back and learning with us.
For a great read on the mind-body connection, check out our references section and read "The Biblical Perspective On The Mind-Body Problem, Part 1" by Jay Adams.
We suggest getting either the two-book set with the Journal and The Daniel Plan in a physical copy that you can use to take notes in etc. At minimum, you can do what we did at first and buy the Journal in physical form and The Daniel Plan book in the digital form (on platforms like Amazon's Kindle Unlimited or Audible).
*There are affiliate links on this page. Koutz Farm may qualify for a monetary or equivalent referral bonus if you click on the link and make a purchase from the vendor. Make sure to read our Legal Terms & Conditions for more details about affiliate links. By clicking on any one of these links, you confirm that you are in agreement with all of our disclaimers, terms and conditions. The vendor may have different legal terms, disclaimers, and agreements so make sure to read theirs as well.
(Affiliate links don’t cost you anything to click – it only takes you to the product on the vendor’s site. If you decide to buy the product, then of course you will pay for the product like you would do if you were online shopping on your own. The only difference is, if you make a purchase, the vendor will give us a financial “reward” for sending you over to their site. That’s pretty much all there is to it.”)
Koutz Farm Bible Study: The Daniel Plan (Day 4)
To begin this Bible Study, simply read the sections below: “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", “How”, and “The Study Notes”. Use your own Bible as a reference and make sure to keep a journal handy for taking notes as the Lord guides you through your spiritual studies. When you are done, read the Prayer section (and pray along with us). Make sure to review the Action section and use our action points or make up your own actions. Make sure to check out our Questions & Answers section and if you want to dive deeper into your study invest some time in our References section, as well. This is how our Bible Study Format will be in this and all future Bible Study Posts. Let's get started...
Welcome to Day 4 of the Koutz Farm Bible Study for “The Daniel Plan“. We are reading page 23 – 30 today. Expand each section below (Who, What, When, Where, How, & Study Notes) to read our notes for today’s Bible study of “The Daniel Plan“. If you have not ordered your study materials yet, you can click the affiliate links to the right to get the books we are using. Make sure to read Day 1, 2, & 3’s notes to see other books/DVDs in the series. Don’t forget to let us know you are doing the study with us so we can reach out to you and support each other. Simply fill out the form on our Holler At Us page and tell us you are joining the “Daniel Plan Bible” Study. Let’s jump in to day 4.
Side note: If you want to get the additional books/DVDs in the series for a more in-depth study on your own, we have provided links to those below.
Note Make sure to read the disclaimers provided in the study materials from the authors/publishers. Also, make sure to read Koutz Farm’s disclaimers at the bottom of the page. Koutz Farm does not specialize in nutrition or medical services and this Bible study is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor is it meant to replace the advice/support of a medical professional. Make sure to consult your doctor before participating in any health, nutrition, or fitness program including those discussed in “The Daniel Plan”. Your participation is at your own discretion and at your own risks.
The “WHO” of today’s reading is of course, still you and God, but now we end the reading with an added “WHO”. Who is going to be in your corner while you go through “The Daniel Plan“? Who is going to support you, pray for you, encourage you, give you feedback? Who is going to check on you to make sure you are okay? Who might be willing to do “The Daniel Plan” with you? This is where I come in – or where you come in for me! We can be each other’s “WHO” if you are willing. Make sure to reach out to me using my “Holler At Us” form and let me know you are doing “The Daniel Plan” Bible study with me and I’ll reach out to you so we can be a pillar of support to each other.
We are still talking about habits and how to make long-lasting, lifetime, changes. “The Daniel Plan” goes over 5 essential elements for lasting change. These 5 elements are the “WHAT” today.
The “WHEN” hasn’t changed since we started this study. The “WHEN” is the present time and your future. This study is about YOU and GOD – so we aren’t researching the past. We are analyzing the current you, building a new you, and putting away the old you.
The “WHERE” also hasn’t changed today. The “WHERE” is in your body and mind.
The "WHY" for Day 4 of "The Daniel Plan" study
“The Daniel Plan” introduces 5 elements for lasting change and these elements are the “HOW” of today’s reading.
In reading the “Five Elements For Lasting Change” section of Chapter 1 of the main book, “The Daniel Plan“, and noting some of my thoughts as I read, here are my study notes:
“The Daniel Plan” starts our study off by telling us lasting change is based on 5 essential elements. Read Chapter 1 of “The Daniel Plan” to learn what the 5 elements are.
The famous quote, “The truth will set you free” is built on the foundation of the Bible – read John 8:31 – 32. Freedom is a promise from Jesus based on knowing the truth, and knowing the truth is based on being a true follower of Christ.
Before you can enjoy the bliss of freedom, you must first come face to face with the unpleasant truths of the world; truths you don’t like about the world you live in and truths about yourself that you don’t want to acknowledge.
Warren tells us, “until you face the TRUTH about WHY you do what you do and get to the root of your habits, change is likely to be shallow and short-lived.”
If you aren’t willing face the truth about yourself, to be honest with yourself and God, and put in the work for lasting change, if all you want (and are willing to try ) is a quick fix, then “The Daniel Plan” is not for you.
You must choose to change – not just day dream about it. Health doesn’t come by accident or by someone else doing it for you. Warren tells us change requires intentionality on your part. Warren recalls, “As a pastor I have met many people who were praying for God to heal illnesses and sicknesses that could easily be reversed if they simply made healthier choices.”
You must put away the old self to step into the new self God promised you – the new self mentioned in Ephesians 4:22 – 24. Warren reminds us the old self is the version of you that made the choices that caused the destruction in the first place.
The mind-body connection is real. You must first change the way you think before you can start to heal.
God’s will for you is is good, pleasing and perfect, but you cannot experience God’s will for your life if you don’t change the way you think and allow God to transform you.
I love Warren’s explanation of the word “repentance”. It isn’t just “hey, God, forgive me of this thing I did”, Warren explains it this way, “The biblical word for changing your mind is “repentance”. To repent is to make a mental U-turn.”
What old ways of thinking do you need to change?
Warren tells us to fill our mind with the Bible, God’s truth. I’d take it a step further and say fill your heart with a desire for an intimate relationship with God.
“The Daniel Plan” will teach you to think differently, to replace negative thinking instead of resisting it. Victory starts in your mind and by learning to harness the power inside of you, these thoughts will lose their power over you.
Warren tells us, “the secret to self-control is to allow ourselves to be Spirit-controlled”. Remember, what apostle Paul said, as Warren reminds us, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
“The Daniel Plan” tells us that some of our behaviors are so deep-rooted we can’t change on our own. We need community to help us. That is why “The Daniel Plan” has a team-based approach to success built-in to its foundation.
God created us to live in a community and to rely on each other. Warren notes, “God hates loneliness. So he made us to need each other.”
Warren speaks of his own church’s success with “The Daniel Plan“, noting those that worked together in small groups lost more weight and were more successful than those who tried it on their own. Having other people to check on you, encourage you, pray for you, give you feedback, and to generally support you, is a key element to success with “The Daniel Plan“.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 12 (NLT) “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble…. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”.
Dear Lord In Heaven,,
I pray to you with repentance in my heart, a desire for change, a desire for you to guide me to a healthier and more fulfilling life. I want to serve you, My God, My Creator. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wiped clean of this sin-filled worldly filth that has corrupted my mind and destroyed my body. The very choices I have made along the way have led me to the very path of destruction you warn us about in your Holy Word. I ask you to help me change, accept my repenting heart and show me the way, give me your power to change the way I think, to change the way I react, and to guide my actions and thoughts to be more aligned with you and your plan for my life, Lord.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Read: “The Daniel Plan” pages 23 - 30
Read: John 8:31 – 32, Ephesians 4:22 – 24, Romans 6:16, Philippians 2:13, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:22 – 23, Philippians 4:13, Genesis 2:18, Hebrews 10:25, Galatians 6:2, Ecclesiastes 4:9, Matthew 18:20, Philippians 1:6, 3 John 2
Go online and register at https://www.danielplan.com. By doing this you’ll have access to more helpful resources as you go through the program.
In this section, you are asked a question – “What old ways of thinking do you need to change?” Get out a piece of paper or open up your journal (on the blank green page in the front) and write down the question at the top – then list 3 to 5 things you think about yourself or habits you want to change.
Here are mine:
Quit using sugar as a stress-coping mechanism.
Quit beating yourself up because you can’t do things the way you used to be able to do them, before Fibromyalgia took over.
Find ways to make water something you want to drink. You must hydrate with water – NOT Dr. Pepper!
Quit comparing your progress/skills to others. You are talented, smart, and have your own unique gifts God gave you. Trust in God’s timing.
Yes, exercise HURTS because of Fibro, but you still have to exercise. They say exercise helps alleviate the pain, and so far you haven’t found that to be true, but it doesn’t matter. You HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN to stay alive and to thrive. The only way that is going to work is if you lean fully into God when the pain gets worse.
The author, Rick Warren, said you can connect with him and he’d love to hear from you about what happens in your life because of this program. In case you want to follow him on social media or reach out to him:
Twitter: @RickWarren
Facebook: PasterRickWarren
LinkedIn: Pastor Rick Warren
Order your Bible Study Materials for this study: “The Daniel Plan“, “The Daniel Plan Journal“, or the 2-book set.
IS BEING A SLAVE TO GOD A BAD THING?
No. The word "SLAVE" has a very bad vibe in our hearts because of the historical context of what humans did to enslave each other, but being a slave to God is not the same. Being a spiritual slave to God means LOVING Him and obeying His commandments because you respect His power and His love for you. You know what He wants is for your GOOD and not to harm you. Serving Him and suffering on this earth for Him leads to knowledge, truth, freedom, joy, and an eternity in His glorious kingdom. Being His slave is a blessing, it means being protected and carried in His arms forever.
WHY AM I NOT BEING HEALED BY GOD WHEN I PRAY AND ASK FOR HEALING OR KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE PRAYED HEALING OVER ME / FOR ME?
3 possible reasons. 1) Warren asks: why should God heal you if you have no intention of changing the choices that led to your illness? 2) God is going to use you for something greater than you could ever imagine. There is a plan behind it that you can't see. 3) You haven't given yourself truly/fully to God. The devil has a hold on you or you are being influenced or even possessed by demons that are causing your issues to persist.
You must repent and give yourself fully to God. You must seek deliverance if you are under evil influence.
ISN'T THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION CONCEPT A "NEW-AGE" TEACHING?
The concept of mind-body is not "New-Age" at all. The "New-Agers" have tapped into the mind-body connection and the energy of all things. As Christians, we need to understand there is a mind-body-energy connection we need to tap into to be able to heal. This is grounded in Biblical scripture. We'll cover this more throughout this Bible Study, so keep coming back and learning with us.
For a great read on the mind-body connection, check out our references section and read "The Biblical Perspective On The Mind-Body Problem, Part 1" by Jay Adams.
We suggest getting either the two-book set with the Journal and The Daniel Plan in a physical copy that you can use to take notes in etc. At minimum, you can do what we did at first and buy the Journal in physical form and The Daniel Plan book in the digital form (on platforms like Amazon's Kindle Unlimited or Audible).
*There are affiliate links on this page. Koutz Farm may qualify for a monetary or equivalent referral bonus if you click on the link and make a purchase from the vendor. Make sure to read our Legal Terms & Conditions for more details about affiliate links. By clicking on any one of these links, you confirm that you are in agreement with all of our disclaimers, terms and conditions. The vendor may have different legal terms, disclaimers, and agreements so make sure to read theirs as well.
(Affiliate links don’t cost you anything to click – it only takes you to the product on the vendor’s site. If you decide to buy the product, then of course you will pay for the product like you would do if you were online shopping on your own. The only difference is, if you make a purchase, the vendor will give us a financial “reward” for sending you over to their site. That’s pretty much all there is to it.”)
We start our Bible Study with “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", and “How”. Then we take a deeper dive with our Study Notes. We jump into a Prayer. Then discuss Actions you can take. We look at Bible Study Tips. We review our own questions and questions others have submitted to us in our Questions & Answers section. We list out our References and we end with our Disclaimers.
We start our Bible Study with “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", and “How”. Then we take a deeper dive with our Study Notes. We jump into a Prayer. Then discuss Actions you can take. We look at Bible Study Tips. We review our own questions and questions others have submitted to us in our Questions & Answers section. We list out our References and we end with our Disclaimers.
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We start our Bible Study with “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where”, "Why", and “How”. Then we take a deeper dive with our Study Notes. We jump into a Prayer. Then discuss Actions you can take. We look at Bible Study Tips. We review our own questions and questions others have submitted to us in our Questions & Answers section. We list out our References and we end with our Disclaimers
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