Health Talks

Part of Our Appointed Work

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 – Spirit of Prophecy Counsel...............................................................................................115

1. Health Talks Are Essential ................................................................................................................115
2. Practical Counsel for Public Speaking ...............................................................................................115
3. Dress for Public Speaking .................................................................................................................116
Chapter 2 – How to Prepare Outstanding Presentations ...................................................................117

Chapter 1 – Spirit of Prophecy Counsel

1. Health Talks Are Essential

Ministry of Healing, p. 147. “Every gospel worker should feel that the giving of instruction in the principles of
healthful living is a part of his appointed work.”

6 Testimonies, pp. 378, 379. “The Lord has presented before me that many, many will be rescued from physical,
mental, and moral degeneracy through the practical influence of health reform. Health talks will be given;
publications will be multiplied. The principles of health reform will be received with favor, and many . . . will
advance step by step to receive the special truths for this time.”

Manuscript Releases, 21, p. 433. “Health reform will reach a class, and has reached a class, that otherwise would
never have been reached by the truth. There is a great necessity for labor being put forth to help the people,
believers and unbelievers, at the present time by health talks and health publication.”

2. Practical Counsel for Public Speaking

Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 335. “The power of speech is a talent that should be diligently cultivated. Of all the
gifts we have received from God, none is capable of being a greater blessing than this. With the voice we convince
and persuade, with it we offer prayer and praise to God, and with it we tell others of the Redeemer's love. How
important, then, that it be so trained as to be most effective for good.”

A. Proper Posture
Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 199. “Voice Culture should be taught in your school. Do not lightly pass over
this matter; for if the expression is defective, all the knowledge that shall be obtained will be of but very little use.
The cultivation of the voice is of the greatest importance, in order that grace and dignity may be brought into the
impartation of truth… By learning correctly to use the voice in speaking, many who are weak-chested may save
their lives. Make the student stand erect, throwing back his shoulders. The ladies especially need to cultivate the
voice… In every reading exercise, require the students to speak the words distinctly, clearly pronouncing even
the last syllable. Teach the students not to let their voice die away at the end of the sentence. Require a full, clear,
round tone of voice to the very close, including the last syllable.

B. Respiration
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 297. “Voice culture is a subject that has much to do with the health
of students. The youth should be taught how to breathe properly and how to read in such a way that no unnatural
strain shall come on the throat and lungs, but that the work shall be shared by the abdominal muscles. Speaking
from the throat, letting the sound come from the upper part of the vocal organs, impairs the health of these organs
and decreases their efficiency. The abdominal muscles are to do the heaviest part of the labor, the throat being
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Health Talks
Part of Our Appointed Work
used as a channel. Many have died who might have lived had they been taught how to use the voice correctly.
The right use of the abdominal muscles in reading and speaking will prove a remedy for many voice and chest
difficulties, and the means of prolonging life.”

C. Clarity, Simplicity, and Other Mechanics

Education, p. 199. “Careful attention should be given to securing distinct articulation, smooth, well-modulated
tones, and a not-too-rapid delivery. This will not only promote health, but will add greatly to the agreeableness
and efficiency of the student's work.”

Gospel Workers, pp. 86-88. “The one who gives Bible-readings in the congregation or in the family should be
able to read with a soft, musical cadence which will charm the hearers…
Whatever his calling, every person should learn to control the voice, so that when something goes wrong, he
will not speak in tones that stir the worst passions of the heart. Too often the speaker and the one addressed speak
sharply and harshly. Sharp, dictatorial words, uttered in hard, rasping tones, have separated friends and resulted
in the loss of souls. . . .
When you speak, let every word be full and well rounded, every sentence clear and distinct, to the very last
word. Many as they approach the end of a sentence lower the tone of the voice, speaking so indistinctly that the
force of the thought is destroyed. Words that are worth speaking at all are worth speaking in a clear, distinct
voice, with emphasis and expression. But never search for words that will give the impression that you are
learned. The greater your simplicity, the better will your words be understood. – Gospel Workers, p. 86-88

Evangelism, p. 296. “Cultivate earnestness and positiveness in addressing the people. Your subject matter may
be excellent, and just what the people need, but you would do well to mingle a positiveness with persuasive
entreaties…”

2 Testimonies, p. 215. “They [ministers] should speak with reverence. Some destroy the solemn impression they
may have made upon the people, by raising their voices to a very high pitch and halloowing and screaming out
the truth. When presented in this manner, truth loses much of its sweetness, its force and solemnity. But if the
voice is toned right, if it has solemnity, and is so modulated as to be even pathetic, it will produce a much better
impression.
This was the tone in which Christ taught His disciples. He impressed them with solemnity; He spoke in a
pathetic manner. But this loud halloowing--what does it do? It does not give the people any more exalted views
of the truth, and does not impress them any more deeply. It only causes a disagreeable sensation to the hearers,
and wears out the vocal organs of the speaker. The tones of the voice have much to do in affecting the hearts of
those that hear.”

Review and Herald, March 5, 1895. “Jesus is our example. His voice was musical, and was never raised in high,
strained notes while he was speaking to the people. He did not speak so rapidly that his words were crowded one
upon another in such a way that it made it difficult to understand him. He distinctly enunciated every word, and
those who heard his voice bore the testimony that "never man spake like this man.”

3. Dress for Public Speaking

Education, p. 199. “In teaching these things a golden opportunity is afforded for showing the folly and wickedness
of tight lacing and every other practice that restricts vital action. An almost endless train of disease results from
unhealthful modes of dress, and careful instruction on this point should be given. Impress upon the pupils the danger
of allowing the clothing to weigh on the hips or to compress any organ of the body. The dress should be so arranged
that a full respiration can be taken and the arms be raised above the head without difficulty. The cramping of the
lungs not only prevents their development, but hinders the processes of digestion and circulation, and thus weakens
the whole body. All such practices lessen both physical and mental power, thus hindering the student's advancement
and often preventing his success.”

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 Health Talks
Part of Our Appointed Work

Chapter 2 – How to Prepare Outstanding Presentations

Choosing a Topic

The topic may be already chosen for you, but if not, consider the following:
● Choose a topic that you have some knowledge about and that is important to you. The audience can tell
whether you care about what you are speaking about or not.
● Think about your audience. What are their needs and interests? Pray and ask God what topic would really
benefit the audience (not just because you like to speak on that particular topic) and meet their specific needs.
Consider factors like age, gender, religion, cultural background, occupations, socioeconomic status, and
educational background. Information may be found about the audience by personal experience with the group
or by careful research.
● Consider the occasion: Is it a time of rejoicing? Sorrow? Health expo? Special meetings at a church?
Scholarly meeting? Your presentation should be crafted accordingly.
● Taking these factors into consideration, choose a topic that you feel would be worthwhile, for example,
nutrition. Again ask yourself: Is the topic really worth THEIR time? Is it appropriate to the audience and
occasion? Is it interesting? Does it meet a personal need or interest of your audience? Am I excited about it?
Is there sufficient material available on the topic?
● Find out how long your presentation will last, and do not try to cover more than you can cover well. Narrow as
far as necessary, for example health → human health → 8 laws of health; nutrition → nutrition’s effect on
human health → health benefits/dangers inherently found in food → spices → black pepper.
● Define your purpose in giving the talk and what you wish for the audience to do as a result of your presentation.

Topic Development

● Gather support: (Be careful with types of support used).

○ Research sources: library, health books, online medical and research journals (should be able to back
up your facts with solid research, not simply with the use of folklore, testimonials, etc., although these
may have a supporting role).
○ Personal experience: (what you see, taste, touch, smell, hear)
○ Informal surveys: this typically may include: 5-10 questions which are asked to between 25-50 people
○ Interviews
■ From an expert on the topic
■ Make sure you accurately record the information given
○ Types of Supporting Material: Definitions, statistics, examples and illustrations, testimonies,
comparisons and contrasts, repetition and restatement.
○ Quote your sources for a mature audience. Quote orally (or on your PowerPoint at minimum) at least
2-3 sources for a 5-minute presentation, a minimum of 5-6 for a full 50-minute presentation. The
sources should be credible and cited in your handout or PowerPoint clearly.

● Illustrating Your Presentation:

○ Visual Aids should help your audience to follow, understand, respond to, and remember your speech.
○ Types may include objects, models, graphs, photographs and drawings, PowerPoint, etc.
○ Criteria for using them:
■ Simplicity (can you transport and set it up easily, does it put the focus on one object or point, or is
it “busy” or cluttered)
■ Clarity (Does it make your point clearer?)
■ Visibility (Can your audience see/read it?)
○ Methods and equipment may include: Objects, posters, a chalkboard or whiteboard, videotapes,
DVD’s, projectors used with a computer slide presentation, etc.
○ Digital Presentations like PowerPoint and Keynote
■ Should be simple, not have excessive or distracting animation, graphics, text, or photographs
■ Should be elegant and attractive
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■ Each slide should develop one point
■ Themes – use a consistent theme throughout the presentation
■ Background – make sure there is a sharp contrast between the text and the background color
■ Fonts – Titles should use a minimum font size of 36 and the text should be a MINIMUM of 24
● Sans Serif fonts are best (Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet MS)
■ Citations can be listed at the bottom or elsewhere in a slide
■ Caution should be used to respect others graphics and not infringe upon copyright
■ Should avoid an excessive number of slides, so that you skip through them, frustrating your
audience in the process
■ Should not take the place of your enthusiasm or quality of spoken presentation

The members of your audience have many different learning styles, and for each of them to learn most fully, it would be
helpful to seek to meet each of their needs as far as possible in EACH presentation. This includes the visual learners
(need to see something to remember it), the audio learners (must hear it to remember it), and the sensory learners (hands
on--must feel, taste, smell, do it, etc. for best learning).

The Structure of Your Talk

● Time Sequence (organized according to when it happened/will happen—for example, prophecy, last day
events)
● Compare and Contrast (compares and contrasts various entities and points out similarities and differences—for
example, the use of hot versus cold in hydrotherapy)
● Spatial Patterns (based on physical organization of the parts discussed—for example, movement from outer
court to most holy place of sanctuary)
● Topical design (help define clear categories/divisions—for example, parts of an atom)
● Cause-and-Effect Order (for example, nutrition, an option potentially useful for health presentations)
● Problem-and-Solution Order (for example, common diseases, another option especially useful for health
presentations)
● Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (in this presentation an endeavor is made to motivate a person to make a change
and includes these 5 steps: Gain the attention of the audience, highlight the need for change, give a better
alternative, help the audience to clearly grasp the benefit of change, and make an appeal for action—good for
evangelistic series, Christian Living class, Nutrition class, etc.)

The Speech Framework

● Introduction (Catch their attention + introduce topic — 10-15% of total presentation)

● Body (70-80%)
● Conclusion (10-15%)

The Introduction:
● Should gain attention of audience, make them want to listen (by providing credibility), and provide an overview
of the subject you will be discussing.
● 10-15% of entire presentation.
● Gaining their attention:
○ The first few moments will determine whether your audience will listen attentively or tune out the
remainder of your speech.
○ Motivate them to listen to you by short human interest, suspenseful, or humorous stories about people,
illustrations, unusual facts, surprising statement, shocking statistics, promise something to the audience
(which you will fulfill), explain the importance of the topic to the audience, refer to the occasion, etc.
● Provide credibility: first-hand experience, interview with a specialist on the topic.
● At end of the introduction, let the audience know briefly what you will be sharing about. For example: “This
morning we would like to look at the effects of inadequate rest, how much we need daily, when is the ideal
time, and how can we obtain better quality rest.

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The Body:
● This is where you develop the points of your presentation.
● Typically should contain 3-5 main points.
● 70-80% of length of entire presentation.
● Major points should be supported by logic, research data, statistics, illustrations, stories, quotations, etc.

The Conclusion:
● Summarizes and reviews the presentation and leaves your listeners thinking about what they have just heard.
● Provides a sense of closure or completion.
● 10-15% of length of entire presentation.
● Heighten impact of presentation. How?
● Refer to your introductory remarks, quotations or illustrations, draw on your own experiences, surprising
statements, startling statistics, rhetorical questions, humor, stories, testimonies, and experiences.

Connect your main points with internal summaries and transitions—interesting, leading bridges to the next point.
● Practice, then revise as needed.
● When you give your presentation: Work to control anxiety (pray, exercise, practice, know your material, etc.),
then DO it
● After you have completed your talk, analyze it: How did it go? How could it be made even better next time?

Final Tips for Giving the Speech

● Arrive early for speech. Be ready to start on time.

● Make sure you have all of your presentation aids ready and set up and that you know how to use them properly.
● Make certain you know how to use the public address system, if you are going to use it, before beginning your
presentation.
● Dress professionally and have a neat, clean, appearance if you want them to listen to and follow what you are
sharing.
● Let your audience know you are prepared by how you rise and walk confidently to the podium.
● Seek to transmit a spirit of enthusiasm while speaking.
● Finish 1-3 minutes EARLY if doing a full, 50-minute presentation. That will leave your audience eager to come
back and learn more.
● Complete your speech before returning to your seat.

Additional Resources:

Leech, Thomas. (2004). How to Prepare, Stage, and Deliver Winning Presentations. New York, AMACOM.

http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointtipsandfaqs/tp/080119powerpoint_font_tips.htm

http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointinbusiness/tp/071231resolutions.htm

http://www.asiministries.org/newbeginnings

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