Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – Perseverance
Opening
- We learned today about being a good sport, now let’s see what the bible says about being a good sport.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Hebrews 12:1-2 “And let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...”
Devotional
Big picture It takes hard work, perseverance, and focus to finish well.
- Q: Have you ever gone to see a professional sporting event? (or tell about one you have)
- Q: Have you ever dreamed about being a professional athlete? (or tell about your sports dream)
- Professional athletes have spent their entire life, with laser focus, perfecting their sport.
- And, the Teaching verse says becoming good at anything (sports, chess, video games, work, etc) takes that same focus, and lots of hard work and perseverance.
- So, the Teaching verse applies to more than just sports. It applies to all of life, including our faith.
- Anything we choose to do takes hard work to be good at it so you can finish well.
- Q: But what does it mean to finish well? It means completing whatever task God has set before you in an excellent way, that brings honor to God.
- How this relates to you learning more about sports today is that we want you to remember these 3 ingredients: effort, diligence, focus, are what it takes to be successful in any sport you wish to play.
- Do you know that you honor God by working hard, with perseverance and focus? It’s True!
- Others are watching you, and they know you are a Christian. So how you compete shows your character. If you are lazy and lack discipline, then that reflects badly on God, for you are an ambassador for God.
- In Hebrews 12, it talks about “the race marked out for us”. That race is your life, your life’s purpose.
- And who “marks out” our race for us? God does, He shows us where to run our life’s race.
- So, while we are running hard the race that God has marked out for us, our focus is on Jesus Christ.
- But what can hinder you in your life’s race? The teaching verse says sin can, or anything that entangles, anything that causes you to stumble like selfishness, laziness, pride, and a lack of focus.
- We talked about a lot today, but’s let’s make it simple. Sports are good ways to stay healthy. Work hard at sports or whatever you do to honor God. And you will finish your race well.
Memory Verse #2
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Topical Questions
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Why is it important to work together as a team?
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Did you know your skills get better when you cooperate and work together as a team?
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How often do you practice your sport or your skill?
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Did you know, the more we practice our faith daily, the better we get at it, just like in sports?
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, help these boys to trust in You with all their heart and to lean not on their own understanding. Help them to invite You into everything they do, in all their ways. And, we thank You for loving us so much that You make our paths straight and clear when we call on Your name. You are amazing, Lord! We ask these prayer requests in your name Jesus. Amen
