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!
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 TweetYou 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 TweetWe 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?
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
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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!
Devotion is also a great way to keep your family together.
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!
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This is neat. You presented some really good questions for kiddos.
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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.
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I love the Olympics so much and I hope that my family trains as diligently as athletes to obtain the greatest prize!
YES!! We are to race towards the mark! Never to give up! Love this! Imagine if we trained as faithfully as an Olympian?
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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.
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!
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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?
Definitely! Great idea. That could be another entire devotion!
How sweet. I love this! And that Hillsong song — whew! Can’t go wrong with them!
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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.
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I love all the questions you asked your kids.
Love this! And yes, we all family members enjoy the Olympics together!
This is great! I’m very happy to find a Christian blogger!
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the blog!
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!
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.