1 Corinthians: Run the Race
I Corinthians 9:24-- Run the Race
Scripture Verse: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."
Objectives:
1. Students should know that winning requires hard work and perseverance.
2. Students should want to strive for the "heavenly crown".
3. Older students should memorize the verse.
Possible Lesson Plan:
1. Open with prayer.
2. Begin with a discussion of athletics -- the early Olympics and today; there are lots of great library books with pictures of athletes.
3. Discuss the discipline of an athlete: be sure the children are led to remember diet, exercise, practice, etc.
4. Discuss earthly prizes (laurel wreath of early Greeks, medals and ribbons today).
5. Discuss the kingdom of heaven -- the heavenly crown of the saints and martyrs. This would be a great time to talk about one or two of your favorite saints -- the hard work, suffering, perseverance, etc. of that person.
6. Now for the fun -- run relay races ( or individual races if there are only 3 or 4 children in the class). Make sure there are different types of races so that everyone will have a chance to "win". Either make crowns for the winners in class, or have them made by the teacher ahead of time; write the scripture verse on the crown as a reminder!
Ankle Race: Each child grabs both his ankles with his hands and runs toward the mark.
Feather Race: Each child starts with a feather on a paper plate and races toward the goal. The winner is the first to finish without losing the feather off the plate. If the feather falls off, the player must begin over.
Peanut Race: Each player has 3 peanuts at his starting line and a bowl at his finish line. The goal is to pick up one peanut, run to the bowl, put the peanut in the bowl, return for the next peanut, until all three peanuts are in the bowl.
Balloon Ball Race: Each player races across the room, batting a balloon (of different colors, if possible) with their hands or feet.
7. Close with prayer.