Christian Weight Loss Bible Studies and Books
Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study is focused on the lies that make us eat, body image, and the weight loss process. If you want to lose weight, I would probably start with this one and follow it up with Freedom from Emotional Eating. I wrote this Bible study to go along with the questions and Bible verses in I Deserve a Donut, and although you can do the study without I Deserve a Donut, it’s best if you have both books.
I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat) is a renewing of the mind resource to use in the midst of temptation and also to prepare yourself for temptation. I use it all the time, just for regular life. It is filled with 36 sets of questions and over 150 Bible verses that you can use to have conversations with God about life and food. The questions and Bible verses will help you renew your mind, taking off the lies that make you eat and putting on the truth that will set you free. It’s also available as an app.
Freedom from Emotional Eating: A Weight Loss Bible Study is more focused on emotional eating. Although there is material on boundaries and breaking free from the control of food, most of the book is devoted to learning how to let go of negative emotions. The comment I get most often with this book is that yes, it helped me with eating, but it helped me even more with letting go of my negative emotions.
The Renewing of the Mind Project is more of a comprehensive book on the renewing of the mind. In a way, it’s this whole blog put into the form of a book. Although the book isn’t directed towards weight loss, the questions and Bible verses in the starting a habit section of the book would be helpful for losing weight. The questions and Bible verses in the stopping a habit section are similar to those in I Deserve a Donut, but there is one set, the opportunity/sneakiness questions that are new.
Note: All of these Bible studies can be done at home alone or with a group. If you’d like to do them with a group, see the link below for the free leader’s guides.
Christian Weight Loss Podcast
Click here for more info!
Online Weight Loss Bible Studies
I often have people email me to ask if I know of any online Taste for Truth or Freedom from Emotional Eating Bible studies. If you’re leading one and would welcome new members, please email me and I’ll include the info on my online Bible studies page.
If you want to take a class, click here and check out the links to see if the class seems like a good fit for you. I don’t always know the leaders personally, but am very grateful to those of you who lead classes and are willing to welcome others to your classes!
Free Weight Loss Bible Studies & Blog Posts
Resources for Bible Study Leaders
If you’d like to lead a Bible study with Taste for Truth, Freedom from Emotional Eating, or TheRenewing of the Mind Project, click here to access free leader’s guides and other resources.
Other Christian Weight Loss Resources
Weight Loss Renewing-of-the-Mind App
Blog Posts, Podcast, and Videos
- The Christian Habits Podcast
- YouTube channel with weight loss videos
- My old blog on weight loss: This blog is on a free blogging platform, so there may be advertisements on it. I don’t benefit from the ads, nor do I have control over what shows up. They’re annoying, but too much work to do anything about them at the moment, so please try to ignore them unless they’re something you’re interested in!
- Pinterest board for my blog: This is a collection of blog posts from my blog. I’m slowly working my way through old posts, making Pinterest pins and adding them to my board. To follow, click on the “Follow on Pinterest” tab below!
Follow Barb Raveling @ barbraveling.com’s board Best of Barb Raveling Blog on Pinterest.
- Christian Weight Loss Pinterest Board: This is a collection of blog posts from myself and other authors on weight loss, fitness, and going to God for help with all of it! To follow, click on the “Follow on Pinterest” tab below!
Follow Barb Raveling @ barbraveling.com’s board Christian Weight Loss on Pinterest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do these Bible studies by myself?
Yes, they’re set up to be done with just you and God, but you can also do them with a group. If you’d like to lead a group, check out the free leader’s guides.
What Bible study should I do first?
I often get asked, “What Bible study should I do first?” I would probably start with Taste for Truth. The first six lessons especially are helpful in changing the way you think about boundaries and the whole book is geared toward breaking free from the control of eating. Freedom from Emotional Eating deals more with the emotions.
If you happen to have both books and don’t mind a little variety, I would do the first chapter of Freedom from Emotional Eating first, then do all of Taste for Truth, and then the rest of Freedom from Emotional Eating.
You talk a lot about “hunger/fullness” and “three meal a day” boundaries in your books. Can I use these studies with other programs such as Weight Watchers or low carb?
Yes, you can use the Bible studies with any healthy boundaries. If you decide to go on a weight loss program such as Weight Watchers but aren’t planning to use those boundaries for the rest of your life, consider practicing your lifelong boundaries while you’re on the weight loss program.
For example, let’s say you plan to do “three meals and one snack” for your lifelong boundaries. While you’re on Weight Watchers, eat your daily points within the confines of those three meals and one snack. You could even set a limit of how many points you’re allowed for each meal and then renew your mind if you go over your point total.
This will make it easier to transition to your lifelong boundaries once you lose weight. If you’re planning to count points your whole life, this wouldn’t be necessary.
What is the difference between the first and second edition of Freedom from Emotional Eating?
For the most part, it’s the same study I published seven years ago. If you’re doing a class and someone has the old books, they can easily use those in the new class. I wrote the first edition in 2008 when I had barely started writing, so I felt like it could use a little brush up in the writing department.
What denomination are you?
I go to a non-denominational, evangelical church led by a pastor with a Calvary Chapel background. My Bible studies are pretty general theologically, so I think you could teach them in any Christian denomination. I’ve had women write to me who have taught them in Catholic, charismatic, evangelical, and other mainline denomination churches.
Where can I find your posts on how to set lifelong boundaries (food)?
Hi Minda, Look under the breaking a habit tab up at the top of the blog and there are some links to posts on boundaries. They aren’t specific to eating but I think they have ideas for eating boundaries in them. I also have material on boundaries in I Deserve a Donut and Taste for Truth. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much Barb! I’m currently praying for guidance on setting food boundaries that are not based on the useless old diet mentality. I’ve zeroed in on some faulty core beliefs that are ongoing obstacles to setting and following boundaries. 1) god can’t satisfy me 2) god can’t/won’t comfort me 3) I can only count on myself 4)I’ll never change 5) i am my own to do with as I please. I know that this new awareness is a step in the right direction but I’m looking forward to next steps…the hard work of renewing my mind. Any thoughts?
Hi Minda, I think that’s great that you zeroed in on five faulty beliefs already. It helps to know what to change, although it often takes a long time to change! If you’re just starting out, I think Taste for Truth is the most helpful Bible study to be used alongside I Deserve a Donut. Taste for Truth starts with maybe six lessons on boundaries so it really helps you see that boundaries are good things, not bad. The I Deserve a Donut questions, especially the emotions one, help to develop the habit of going to God for help with life. Whenever I go to God for help in a renewing my mind sort of way (rather than just trying to get God to do what I want Him to do) I always find that He satisfies me, He comforts me, and I can count on Him. Hope that helps!
As always thanks! I actually have done taste for truth and am pulling it out to review what I’ve written. Btw love the app too! You and Heidi are the best out there in the area of Christian recovery and ed. May I ask, who your mentors have been? Either in person or in print…?
Thanks for that compliment, Minda. Heidi and I have become good friends through the Internet, which is fun since we write about the same things. I actually have never had a mentor. I’ve wanted one but never found one. The bulk of what I write has come out of my personal times of Bible study and renewing of the mind. I’ve been renewing my mind consistently for 12 years now, so that’s hundreds of hours by now, and maybe into the thousands range. The Holy Spirit and the Word are both good mentors. :) It’s also been helpful to teach Bible studies locally and blog as I always learn from the women in my classes and the people who comment on my blog.
Oh, that’s so funny. I was just answering another comment and i saw your comment again, Minda, and just now realized what your “in person or in print” meant. Before I was thinking you meant I could either answer you here on this comment or by email (I’m a little spacey.)
Anyway, I have definitely read some books that influenced me throughout the years, in addition to the Bible. Here are a few I read long ago, before I ever thought of writing that have probably influenced my thoughts:
Telling Yourself the Truth by William Backus and Marie Chapian, Healing for Damaged Emotions, by David Seamands, Breaking Free, by Beth Moore, and Victory Over the Darkness, by Neil Anderson. Another book that really influenced me was one written by a local author, Cole Davis. He was using the book to teach people how to counsel, but unfortunately the book isn’t in print. A current author that I think is really great on the topics I write about is Brad Bigney. He wrote the book Gospel Treason on the subject of idolatry.
This is a little off topic so is there a way to ask general questions? I just started your 30 day devotional and I am finding it very refreshing & applicable. I am a lifetime weight watchers member and have been for years, but the point system has not been a good choice for me after the birth of my 5th child (or hitting my late 40s) . I am very relieved that so far you have not mentioned restricting specific foods or types of foods (choosing any food on the point system was one of the advantages). Other restrictions on “bad foods” left me feeling discouraged because of food preferences & practicality of feeding a family of seven. But I am plagued by the feeling that if I don’t eat the right foods/combination of foods, my 2 type 1 children and I (50 now & not able to eat the way I have in the past and still loose weight) will not be successful with weightloss. Frankly as much as I have dieted & know about diabetes & researched, I just don’t get it when it comes to food chemistry. I long for a simplier approach that works!
This is a good place to ask general questions, Shawnda. You can also email me through the About tab of this blog. If it’s a question I think others would be interested in, I’ll do a video on it on my YouTube channel.
I have four kids so I understand the practicality issues with feeding a family. But I didn’t have kids with different nutritional needs, so that made it a little easier. As to nutritional issues and weight loss boundaries, I don’t really address that much as I deal more on the renewing of the mind side of things – how to break free from the control of food so you can follow whatever boundaries you choose to follow.
I’m afraid I don’t know enough about nutrition and different weight loss plans to give advice about the best boundaries for type 1 kids. Would it be possible to see a nutritionist to get some advice? I’m pretty sure in our town that the county offers services like that through different programs. It would be nice to get some expert counsel.
It would be sad if that counsel was to give up sweets, but it could be that that’s what they would suggest. I personally gave up sweets for awhile because I felt like they were an idol in my life, but I eat sweets now as it’s no longer a problem. I also noticed that once I hit 50, I couldn’t eat as much and maintain my weight. Too bad!!
Anyway, sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Hope you find someone who can give you some good advice!
I’ve had your book Taste of Truth in my Kindle but didn’t even realize I had it until I tried purchasing it and viola’!! I gotta say, right out of the shoot, it hit home and resonates extremely well. I also purchase “I Deserve A Donut” and even just the very beginning is a game changer for me! Thank you for writing these. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!
Thanks, Brandy. I’m glad you like the books. I just checked out your blog website and it’s very fun! Plus it looks really helpful. Also – thanks for sharing about my books on your blog. I appreciate it!
Barb, thank you SO much for these tools! I’m going through FFEE now and just hit the Option Charts day–it’s exactly what I needed today. As always, thank you for writing and allowing God to work through your words!!
Wonderful! I’m so thankful it was helpful, Merry!
Hi Barb-
New to your site. Is there going to be another online weigh loss bible study happening soon?
Hi! I’m sorry I took so long to reply – I just saw your comment! I know there’s a Freedom from Emotional Eating class going on right now, but I think this might be the third week of the class. I’m sorry, I haven’t heard of any other classes! If I hear of any in the next couple of weeks, I’ll try to come back here and reply again!
Just heard of an online study starting after Thanksgiving! They’re doing Taste for Truth. I’ll try to email you with the contact info if I can find your email from this comment!
I searched for your email Barb and couldn’t find it… So I just figured I would put this here… I’ve struggled with my food addiction for 17 years and I’ve been doing your online bible study for weightloss for 9 days and I already see a tremendous change that God is doing within me. I just want to say a huge thank you. If you hadn’t had that resource online for free then I may have never encountered it. I’m so thankful for you taking your time and talents to minister to me. When God gives me healing through this study not only will I be changed and finally set free from these chains, but my future children will be exposed to someone with a healthy relationship with food, and my husband will have a wife who is healthy. You have no idea the depth at which God is healing people through you. No idea. I finally have hope and know that God is going to bring healing in my heart and mind with my relationship with food. God bless you.
Yay!! So excited to hear your testimony, Beth, and that’s so great that you’re getting control of this area at such a young age. My kids were teens and preteens before I got control of it so I taught them some unhealthy habits. So glad God is using the study to work in your life! Plus isn’t it nice to do the study with a group? I’m so thankful to Jules for teaching it – I love the camaraderie of working together on transformation with each other. :)