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An Olympic Family Devotion

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I have never been very athletic, but there is something about the Olympics that brings out the competitor in all of us.  Even if we never competed in sports ourselves, we cheer on our favorite teams.  You can’t help but admire the determination, training, and dedication that it took to get these athletes to the Olympic Games.  America has a population of over 324 million, yet only 554 Americans made the cut for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.  To say they trained hard to get there is a major understatement!

figure-of-christ-1133482_1280

America has a population of over 324 million, yet only 554 Americans made the cut for the Olympics. Click To Tweet

Here is a series of Olympic themed questions to think about as a family…  

How do you think olympic athletes train?

These athletes train most of their lives in hopes of winning a gold medal.  They rearrange their lives so they can practice, practice, practice.  When they aren’t practicing, they watch what they eat and take care of their bodies.  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

What is an olympic athlete’s goal?

When our goal is having a relationship with God, we never have to change our focus! Click To Tweet

You have probably heard the phrase, “Going for the gold.”  Once the medals are won, and athletes can no longer compete in the Olympic games, their lives take turn and they must find a new goal.  In our lives, we need to choose goals worthy of obtaining.  Following God brings rewards that are eternal.  When our goal is having a relationship with God, we never have to change our focus!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ” 1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

How is being a Christian like being an olympic athlete?

If we are training to live a life of Olympic proportion, we must continually train. Click To Tweet

We must train ourselves to live for Christ.  If we are training to live a life of Olympic proportion, we must continually train, not just once a week at church.  We must train ourselves continually, keeping God at the forefront of our our thoughts.  

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

Worship

Here are a couple songs to remind us that God is the real prize.  Pleasing Him is worth a lifetime of hard training.  

Pray

Dear God,

Thank You for the prize of Jesus and the promise of living with you in Heaven one day.  Please help us to clearly see how we can best train to live a life serving you.  Help us to get rid of anything that might get in the way of pleasing you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Want More Olympic Activities?

If you want to find more Olympic activities and Bible lessons, check out my Olympic Pinterest board.  

Does your family enjoy the Olympics together? Do you train together for the ultimate prize?  

 

Filed Under: Devotionals, Family Worship Tagged With: America, Family Bible Study, Summer, Worship

Comments

  1. angie says

    August 6, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    love devotions with themes and this one is a great one to have the week of Olympics offers a lot to think about for sure. Do we do all we can do when we should? that is a question I often ask myself
    angie recently posted…giveaways enteredMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    August 7, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Thinking of that Bible verse (I forget where) where Paul is talking about the Christian walk being like athletic training 🙂
    Andrea recently posted…It’s Sunday Morning – Make Sure You Go To Church!My Profile

    Reply
  3. Nicole Escat says

    August 8, 2016 at 2:14 am

    Devotion is also a great way to keep your family together.

    Reply
  4. Jelli says

    August 8, 2016 at 9:41 am

    I love how you applied Christian life to the Olympics- it’s so true! I mean, even the Apostle Paul must’ve been a fan of the early Olympics since he talked about running the race, right? Lol. Thanks for sharing!
    Jelli recently posted…Brilliant Quick Fix Teacher Gift Anyone Can DoMy Profile

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  5. Rachael says

    August 8, 2016 at 10:17 am

    This is neat. You presented some really good questions for kiddos.
    Rachael recently posted…How to Keep the Peace When You’re BusyMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Mihaela Echols says

    August 8, 2016 at 11:18 am

    I love this! We as Christians are athletes for Christ just as it says with the race to get the prize. Our prize is in Heaven.
    Mihaela Echols recently posted…Goodbye Little BlueMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Brittany says

    August 8, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    I love the Olympics so much and I hope that my family trains as diligently as athletes to obtain the greatest prize!

    Reply
  8. Marie says

    August 8, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    YES!! We are to race towards the mark! Never to give up! Love this! Imagine if we trained as faithfully as an Olympian?
    Marie recently posted…10 Twitter MustsMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Megan Elford says

    August 8, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    This is the perfect analogy to the Christian walk! This devotional would totally resonate with my kids, I love that the Bible draws such a great and easy to understand comparison.

    Reply
  10. Jessica says

    August 8, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    This makes me recall the times we did devotions as a family when I was growing up. I think this is a great way to help your kids remember what you’re teaching. Themes help so much!
    Jessica recently posted…Change Your Focus – Change Your MarriageMy Profile

    Reply
  11. IE says

    August 8, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    Watching the opening ceremonies as a family is a good time to reflect on the importance of all the countries God made coming together for one common purpose – how it’s SUPPOSED to be. May be just a tiny glimpse of His kingdom on earth?

    Reply
    • admin says

      August 13, 2016 at 7:05 am

      Definitely! Great idea. That could be another entire devotion!

      Reply
  12. Caroline says

    August 8, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    How sweet. I love this! And that Hillsong song — whew! Can’t go wrong with them!
    Caroline recently posted…GREATER MovieMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Kristi says

    August 9, 2016 at 1:09 am

    I love this statement: “We must train ourselves to live for Christ. If we are training to live a life of Olympic proportion, we must continually train, not just once a week at church. We must train ourselves continually, keeping God at the forefront of our our thoughts.”

    It is so true. If our main focus is not on God, we will steer off in a wrong direction.

    I grew up running and participating in Track & Field from the age of three. I loved God but my identity was wrapped up in being a runner and a jumper. When those days were over, I had an identity crisis. Thankfully, Christ helped me regain my real focus and things have been completely different since then.
    Kristi recently posted…Feeding the Flame: Is Your Faith a Blaze or a Flicker?My Profile

    Reply
  14. Rachel says

    August 9, 2016 at 10:21 am

    I love all the questions you asked your kids.

    Reply
  15. Jasmine Watts says

    August 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Love this! And yes, we all family members enjoy the Olympics together!

    Reply
  16. Cassandra says

    August 9, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    This is great! I’m very happy to find a Christian blogger!

    Reply
    • admin says

      August 13, 2016 at 7:04 am

      Thank you. I hope you enjoy the blog!

      Reply
  17. Lisa Rios says

    August 9, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    I am with you when it comes to how we cheer up for our favorite teams though I have never been athletic! Some wonderful questions and answers to know and thanks for that prayer as well!

    Reply
  18. Joshua Broeker says

    April 5, 2021 at 10:38 am

    I liked this blog very much. From this blog I have learnt that, if we do not focus on God, we will steer off in a wrong direction. Thanks for sharing this such quality information.

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Tara. My kids and I spend a lot of time in our van (and elsewhere) singing, playing , and praying. Join us as we navigate through the winding roads of life, enjoy the journey, and arrive at a place where we love Jesus with all our hearts. Read More
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