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Words for a Christian sporting year

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On your marks:

The Bible uses the imagery of running a race in a number of passages to explore what it means to follow Jesus. This idea draws together some of these verses.

Get set:

You might like to use these verses month by month in the year ahead to help the children and families in your church to make connections between following Jesus and running a race. They are arranged so that, as far as possible, they connect with key themes in the Christian year. The suggested questions are offered as possible discussion starters linked to the verse and the time of year.

Go!

Here are the Bible passages for each month (from the CEV unless stated otherwise) and the questions to get children, families and your whole church talking.

January

... But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run towards the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. Philippians 3:13 - 14

February

Jesus then said, 'So it is. Everyone who is now first will be last, and everyone who is last will be first.' Matthew 20:16

March

As the saying goes, 'Exercise is good for your body, but religion helps you in every way. It promises life now and forever.' These words are worthwhile and should not be forgotten. 1Timothy 4:8 - 9

April

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last. Revelation 1:17

May

The LORD gives strength to those who are weary. Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired. Isaiah 40:29 - 31

June

Here's something else I've seen on this earth. Races aren't always won by those who run fast... God controls the timing of every event. He also controls how things turn out. Ecclesiastes 9:11 - 12 (NIRV)

July

No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5

August

You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last for ever. I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24 - 26

September

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. Hebrews 12:1 - 2

October

Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

November

Who has made that happen? Who has carried it out?
Who has created all of the people who have ever lived?
I, the Lord, have done it.
I was with the first of them.
And I will be with the last of them.

Isaiah 41:4 (NIRV)

December

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. Philippians 3:12

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