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NOTE TO PARENTS: Each of the main points can be taught/discussed over different days throughout the week.
MORE FROM THIS LESSON:
POINT #2 – PARTICIPANTS OF PERSUASION
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POINT #1 – DETERMINED
READ
“You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win! All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ERV
Think about a time that you have run in a race against someone. Before the race started did you think to yourself that you wanted to win, that you wanted to beat the other person? (Allow your child to answer) Did you run to win? (Allow your child to answer) If you ran to win, that probably means you ran your hardest and fastest. You may have even taken the time to stretch before you ran! During the race, you were probably so focused on the end of the race, the finish line. You had a goal. To be the first person to cross the finish line!
This is how Jesus wants us to live our life for Him. He wants us to run after Him, His presence, His love, His peace, our gifts, our identity in Him, our purpose for our life. He wants us to set our goals and focus on Him. He wants us to be determined to achieve a wonderful prize at the end of our life. What does DETERMINED mean? (Allow your child to answer: having no doubt, having purpose, having a goal) He wants us to try our hardest, to give our all to be more like Him everyday, to become who He created us to be, to tell others about Him, to lead others to Him, and to help Him make earth like Heaven. He wants us to learn about, exercise and practice using the gifts and talents that he has placed inside of us. He wants us to be all that we can be!
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about your relationship with Jesus right now? Do you feel close to Him?
- Are you DETERMINED to get close to Jesus, to be more like Him? How? What are you doing to get closer to Him?
- Are you DETERMINED to be who He created you to be and use the gifts He has given you?
- What are some of the gifts He has given you? How can you use those gifts?
Scripture Memory Verse
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)
Prayer
Jesus, we love you so much! Thank you for creating us and loving us. Thank you for making each one of us different and special with special purposes, gifts and talents. Holy Spirit, help us to see and know how we can use our gifts for our purpose in Jesus. Help us to have the determination to run our race to Jesus and for Jesus. We don’t ever want to slow down or stop running after you and for you. We want to run to win! We want to run for the eternal prize that’s promised us if we run to win. We want you, Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on You, always. We pray all of this in your holy name. Amen.
Application/Activity
- Have some good old-fashioned races or relay races in your backyard. Your kiddos will LOVE it! Remind them to focus on the end, the finish line. To not get distracted by looking at the other runner.
Worship Song
“Chasing You”