In God’s Image
Physical, Mental and
Spiritual Health Program
for Youth
Teacher’s Manual
In God’s Image
Table of Contents
Section 1. Introductory Letter & Directions
Section 2. Lesson # 1: Physical Activity
Section 3. Lesson # 2: Healthy Eating and Weight
Section 4. Lesson # 3: Spiritual and Mental Health
Section 5. PowerPoint Lesson Slides
Section 6. Evaluation Materials
NOTE: Reproduction and use of copyright protected materials in this
program is expressly limited to one teacher and cannot be copied for others
to use or implement.
Participant Screening Survey
Physical Activity
Directions: This survey will assess your physical activity behaviors. Your answers are private.
Please answer all items honestly. Check the box that best matches your answer. There are no right
or wrong answers. Please do not place your name on this survey.
1. On most days of the week, do you engage in moderate intensity physical activity for at least
30 minutes a day? Moderate intensity aerobic physical activities are sports or chores that
increase your breathing and heart rate, but not so much as to make you unable to talk while
doing them. For example, fast walking, slow bicycling, skateboarding, or playing baseball or
softball.
a.  Yes
b.  No
2. Do you engage in vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day on 3 or
more days a week? Vigorous intensity aerobic physical activities are sports or chores that
make the heart beat and breathing fast, and makes it difficult to talk while doing them. For
example, singles tennis, jumping rope, playing basketball, or swimming laps.
a.  Yes
b.  No
3. Do you engage in muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a week?
Muscle strengthening physical activities are those that make your muscles do more work than
usual. For example, push-ups or sit-ups, weight lifting, rock climbing, or gymnastics.
a.  Yes
b.  No
4. In the next 6 months, how willing are you to…
Not (None) at all
a) Get physical activity most days a week?........1
b) Practice spiritual health habits most days?....1
c) Eat a variety of healthy foods each day?........1
d) Use stress control most days a week?............1
e) Drink any alcohol?............................................1
f) Smoke a cigarette?............................................1
g) Use any marijuana?..........................................1
A little
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Some
A lot
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
©All Rights Reserved, 2015
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Spirit-Body Fitness One-On-One Lesson Script
Physical Activity
Introduction:
(Show slide) Hi _________________ (Participant’s name). I’m __________________ (Your
name). I’ll be your personal Spirit-Body Fitness instructor for the next three weekly/monthly
sessions. I’m going to talk with you about habits that will make you look better, feel better,
and live life more fully in God’s image. Our session today will address physical activity.
Being physically active is part of God’s plan for us to live a fit and full life. It is also key to
growing in both spiritual and physical strength.
Screening Survey:
Before we begin, I’d like you to complete this brief screening survey. (Read directions to
participant. Have them complete the survey on their own).
Personalized Feedback:
(Check responses from screening survey below before beginning. Sit facing the participant in
a quiet, private setting).
(Respond if one or more items checked “Yes”).
I see that you have:
 Q # 1 (Yes): Engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most
days a week. And/or
 Q # 2 (Yes): Engaged in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 3 or
more days a week. And/or
 Q # 3 (Yes): Engaged in muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a
week.
(Show slide) Congratulations! Getting moderate, vigorous or muscle strengthening physical
activity is key to looking and feeling active, fit, and toned. It is best to set a goal to get a mix
of both low and high intensity physical activity for 60 minutes on most days of the week, along
with muscle strengthening exercise on 3 or more days a week to experience the greatest
physical and spiritual benefits from your fitness routine.
(Respond if all items checked “No”).
It seems you have not:
 Q # 1 (No): Engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most
days a week. And have not
 Q # 2 (No): Participated in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 3 or
more days a week. And not
 Q # 3 (No): Engaged in muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a
week.
(Show slide) Getting any type of physical activity; moderate, vigorous or muscle
strengthening, will result in you looking and feeling more active, fit, and toned. It’s best to
get a mix of all three types of physical activity for 60 minutes on most days of the week to
experience the greatest physical and spiritual benefits from your fitness routine. But setting a
goal to get ANY physical activity, even as little as 10 minutes a day, can greatly improve your
life!
Positive Behavior & Image Messages:
(Show slide) Regular moderate physical activity is key to looking attractive, strong and
physically fit. Moderate physical activity leads to feeling more alive, confident and
successful. It also helps with sleeping better, controlling and losing weight, growing strong
bones, and reducing anxiety and mild depression. Regular moderate physical activity is key
to living an active lifestyle. It can also be fun and leads to other spirit-body fitness promoting
habits, like eating healthy and being fit enough to help others in need.
(Show slide) In addition, regular vigorous or high intensity physical activity and exercise helps
you develop a toned, lean body, and burn excess fat. It also helps you to feel alert,
focused on tasks, handle stress, and sleep better. Getting regular intense physical activity
results in greater motivation, self-confidence, and discipline to achieve key life goals.
Vigorous exercise and sports also improves your strength, stamina, agility, and athletic
ability.
(Show slide) Lastly, regular muscle strengthening physical activity helps you feel strong and
look good. Exercise that increases muscle strength develops a toned look, helps keep you
fit and lean, and burns more calories to lose weight faster. Getting regular strength building
physical activity can improve your stamina and athletic skills, and are a must for living a
successful and active lifestyle. Strength building exercises increase confidence and
discipline to reach your physical and spiritual life goals.
Risk Behavior & Image Messages:
(Show slide) However, using substances like alcohol, cigarette and drugs interfere with living
an active lifestyle and being physically fit. Substance use can harm your motivation to
exercise regularly. It can also hurt your performance in sports. Alcohol, marijuana and other
drugs can cause fatigue and bloating. Drug and alcohol use can also decrease your energy,
confidence, and coordination, as well as harm your goals to look and feel active.
Substance use does not mix with vigorous physical activity and exercise. Smoking can leave
you short of breath. Alcohol has a lot of calories that can lead to weight gain. Smoking,
drinking and marijuana use can lower drive, reduce self-confidence, and reduce discipline to
engage in a good workout or succeed in sports, school, work and serving God and others.
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco use can leave you feeling out of shape, tired, and interfere with
your plans for a better and brighter future.
Substance use can harm your physical fitness and prevent you from living a physically and
spiritually active lifestyle. Drinking and using marijuana and other drugs can decrease your
vigor, poise, and skill. Alcohol, tobacco and drug use can increase stress and anxiety in your
life, as well as make you feel tired, weak, and unfit. Drugs and alcohol can also harm spiritbody fitness by causing fear, pain and dependence.
Recommendation:
(Show slide) As your Spirit-Body Fitness instructor, I recommend that you:
1. Get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days,
2. Participate in vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes on 3 or more days a week,
3. Get muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a week, and most
importantly,
4. Avoid alcohol, cigarette and drug use, to ensure you reach your goals of looking and
feeling physically and spiritually active, fit, and in-shape.
Goal Plan & Contract:
(Read to and assist the participant with completing each item on the Goal Plan. Then, have
s/he sign and you co-sign the Plan. Lastly, read the concluding statement with the
participant. Schedule a time and place for the next lesson).
©All Rights Reserved, 2015
Spirit-Body Fitness Group Lesson Script
Physical Activity
Introduction:
(Show slide) Hi _________________. I’m __________________ (Your name). I’ll be your
Spirit-Body Fitness instructor for the next three weekly/monthly sessions. I’m going to talk
with you about habits that will make you look better, feel better, and live life more fully in
God’s image. Our session today will address physical activity. Being physically active is part
of God’s plan for us to live a fit and full life. It is also key to growing in both spiritual and
physical strength.
Screening Survey:
Before we begin, I’d like you to complete this brief screening survey. (Read directions to
participants. Have them complete the survey on their own).
Physical Activity Behaviors in the Last Year
(Ask class members to raise their hands to respond).
1. In the last year, did you engage in any moderate intensity physical activities for at least 30
minutes a time? Moderate intensity aerobic physical activities are sports or chores that
increase your breathing and heart rate, but not so much as to make you unable to talk while
doing them. For example, fast walking, slow bicycling, skateboarding, or playing baseball or
softball. What did you do?
2. In the last year, did you engage in any vigorous intensity physical activities for at least 30
minutes a time? Vigorous intensity aerobic physical activities are sports or chores that make
the heart beat and breathing fast, and makes it difficult to talk while doing them. For example,
singles tennis, jumping rope, playing basketball, or swimming laps. What did you do?
3. In the last year, did engage in any muscle strengthening physical activities? Muscle
strengthening physical activities are those that make your muscles do more work than usual.
For example, push-ups or sit-ups, weight lifting, rock climbing, or gymnastics. What did you
do?
Positive Feedback:
(Show slide) Congratulations! Getting moderate, vigorous or muscle strengthening physical
activity is key to looking and feeling active, fit, and toned. It is best to set a goal to get a mix
of both low and high intensity physical activity for 60 minutes on most days of the week, along
with muscle strengthening exercise on 3 or more days a week to experience the greatest
physical and spiritual benefits from your fitness routine.
Positive Behavior & Image Messages:
(Show slide) Regular moderate physical activity is key to looking attractive, strong and
physically fit. Moderate physical activity leads to feeling more alive, confident and
successful. It also helps with sleeping better, controlling and losing weight, growing strong
bones, and reducing anxiety and mild depression. Regular moderate physical activity is key
to living an active lifestyle. It can also be fun and leads to other spirit-body fitness promoting
habits, like eating healthy and being fit enough to help others in need.
(Show slide) In addition, regular vigorous or high intensity physical activity and exercise helps
you develop a toned, lean body, and burn excess fat. It also helps you to feel alert,
focused on tasks, handle stress, and sleep better. Getting regular intense physical activity
results in greater motivation, self-confidence, and discipline to achieve key life goals.
Vigorous exercise and sports also improves your strength, stamina, agility, and athletic
ability.
(Show slide) Lastly, regular muscle strengthening physical activity helps you feel strong and
look good. Exercise that increases muscle strength develops a toned look, helps keep you
fit and lean, and burns more calories to lose weight faster. Getting regular strength building
physical activity can improve your stamina and athletic skills, and are a must for living a
successful and active lifestyle. Strength building exercises increase confidence and
discipline to reach your physical and spiritual life goals.
Risk Behavior & Image Messages:
(Show slide) However, using substances like alcohol, cigarette and drugs interfere with living
an active lifestyle and being physically fit. Substance use can harm your motivation to
exercise regularly. It can also hurt your performance in sports. Alcohol, marijuana and other
drugs can cause fatigue and bloating. Drug and alcohol use can also decrease your energy,
confidence, and coordination, as well as harm your goals to look and feel active.
Substance use does not mix with vigorous physical activity and exercise. Smoking can leave
you short of breath. Alcohol has a lot of calories that can lead to weight gain. Smoking,
drinking and marijuana use can lower drive, reduce self-confidence, and reduce discipline to
engage in a good workout or succeed in sports, school, work and serving God and others.
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco use can leave you feeling out of shape, tired, and interfere with
your plans for a better and brighter future.
Substance use can harm your physical fitness and prevent you from living a physically and
spiritually active lifestyle. Drinking and using marijuana and other drugs can decrease your
vigor, poise, and skill. Alcohol, tobacco and drug use can increase stress and anxiety in your
life, as well as make you feel tired, weak, and unfit. Drugs and alcohol can also harm spiritbody fitness by causing fear, pain and dependence.
Recommendation:
(Show slide) As your Spirit-Body Fitness instructor, I recommend that you:
1. Get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days,
2. Participate in vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes on 3 or more days a week,
3. Get muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a week, and most
importantly,
4. Avoid alcohol, cigarette and drug use, to ensure you reach your goals of looking and
feeling physically and spiritually active, fit, and in-shape.
Goal Plan & Contract:
(Read to and assist participants with completing each item on the Goal Plan. Then, have
them sign and you co-sign the Plan. Lastly, read the concluding statement with participants.
Schedule a time and place for the next lesson).
©All Rights Reserved, 2015
Participant Goal Plan & Contract
Physical Activity
Think about the habits that promote your being physically and spiritually fit and active as well as
those that interfere with reaching your spirit-body fitness goals. To become a more fit and active
person, select at least one goal below. In selecting goals to work on next week/month, consider
those that will help you become more like the type of person you want to be in the future, or how you
want to be seen by God and others.
To be more physically and spiritually active, fit and in-shape, I ______________________ (Print
name) will avoid alcohol, tobacco and drug use every day this week/month, and I will also participate
in (Choose at least one):
1.  30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days this week/month, which
includes sports or chores that increase your breathing and heart rate, but not so much as to
make you unable to talk while doing them. For example, fast walking, slow bicycling,
skateboarding, or playing baseball or softball.
2.  30 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity exercise on at least 3 days a week
this week/month, which includes sports or chores that make the heart beat and breathing fast,
and makes it difficult to talk while doing them. For example, singles tennis, jumping rope,
playing basketball, or swimming laps.
3.  Muscle strengthening physical activity on 3 or more days a week this week/month, which
includes activities that make your muscles do more work than usual. For example, push-ups
or sit-ups, weight lifting, rock climbing, or gymnastics.
4.  I already participate in moderate, vigorous and muscle strengthening physical activity on
most days of the week.
5.  None of the above right now.
Answer the following questions for each physical activity behavior checked off above:
1. Type of physical activity (e.g., fast walking): _______________________________________
2. Which days this/each week (e.g., M, W, F): _______________________________________
3. How long each time (minutes): _______________________________________________
4. Where (location): _________________________________________________________
5. With whom (e.g., a friend): ___________________________________________________
Participants signature: ___________________________
Date: ___________
Spirit/Body Fitness teacher signature: _______________________
Date: ___________
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first and most important step toward improving your physical and
spiritual fitness. Post your plan where you will see it each day (e.g., wall, mirror or desk) as a
reminder of the goals you’ve set to achieve this week/month.
Improving yourself is a life-long process. It takes committing to small changes. You must be willing
to keep working toward improving yourself. Focus on and celebrate the small gains you make each
day, week and month. You can do it! Keep trying. Never quit!
Remember, God loves you, is always with you, and smiles on your in every effort to make the best
YOU possible! Have faith in God. Ask Him for strength and perseverance to keep trying and be
successful!
©All Rights Reserved, 2015