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Running the Race

Bible Passage: Philippians 3

Kids Church: June 27, 2021

Volume 12: All Things New. Unit 34: Fight the Good Fight. Session 4 of 4

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Running the Race

While Paul sat in a Roman prison from AD 60 to 62, he wrote letters to churches he had started or visited on his missionary journeys. Despite his circumstances, Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is filled with joy. Philippians reveals Paul’s heart as a devoted follower of Christ. It is full of practical advice about how to live for Jesus and love others.

In the third chapter, Paul wrote about knowing Christ. He said that his relationship with Jesus was the only thing that mattered. This was in stark contrast to his priorities before becoming a believer. As a devout Jew, Paul had been proud of his status: He was circumcised according to the Law, he belonged to the Israelite tribe of Benjamin, he was a faithful Pharisee, and he obeyed the Old Testament law. Now, as a Christian, Paul considered these accolades to be worthless.

Paul set an example for the Philippian believers. They had been distracted by false teachings. He encouraged Christians to press on through difficulties by essentially keeping their “eyes on the prize.” He set himself up as an example for the Philippians to imitate. Paul was motivated by God’s promise to stand before the Lord, meet Him face-to-face, and know Him completely. Paul’s journey toward Christian maturity involved figuring out God’s call on his life and carrying it out.

Our perseverance in the race reminds us of Jesus’ enduring the cross, which provided forgiveness of our sins and salvation. Because Jesus fixed His sight on the victory that awaited Him, we persevere, fixing our gaze on the hope that one day we will be glorified with Him.

As you teach kids, help them think about the Christian life as a race. We don’t want to get distracted or give up running even though it is hard. We can encourage one another toward the finish line. The Lord will help us, and He promises a wonderful prize: life with Him forever.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank You God for for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader: Our key passage says when we are finished fighting the “fight of faith,” we will receive the prize of eternal life with Jesus. Knowing that everything God says is true helps us press on with confidence. This confidence allows believers to face the hardships and disappointments of life differently. We can fight the fight of faith with determination and perseverance throughout our life on earth, knowing that when our time on earth is over, we will be with Jesus forever.

Let's all sing “The Good Fight" (1 Timothy 6:12).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Revelation 21:4.

Leader: Everything God says is true, so what this verse says is really going to happen! One day, there will be no more crying or pain, sadness or death. All those things will be gone and we will be with the Lord for all eternity!

Let’s sing together “All Hail the Power.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Ask God to give wisdom for parents, school teachers and kids for work, in-person and virtual learning to manage time, technology, and meals for this semester.
God, thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us from our sins so we can live with You forever, sharing in Your victory. Thank You for giving us strength to press on in following You with confidence even when we go through hard things in life. We have hope and look forward to spending eternity with You. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Because God made a way for us to be saved from the punishment of our sins, we can confidently follow Jesus. Keeping our eyes focused on what’s ahead for all believers, helps us to face any difficulty we face. Following Jesus is like running a race for a wonderful prize. We remember that Jesus endured the cross so that we can have forgiveness of our sins. We press on to fully know Jesus and share in His victory for eternity.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Philippians 3. Explain that Philippians is another book that is included in the division of the New Testament called Paul’s Letters. Remind kids that the New Testament Bible divisions are Gospels (Matthew–John), History (Acts), Paul’s Letters (Romans–Philemon), General Letters (Hebrews–Jude), and Prophecy (Revelation).

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Philippians 3:12-14.

LEADER SAY • Paul compared following Jesus to running a race. Following Jesus is not always be easy, but He is always worth it!

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. What might keep us from living for God? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Prompt kids to recognize that in order to run the race of following Jesus, we must get rid of anything that gets in the way of knowing Jesus. Paul encouraged believers to put no confidence in the flesh—anything we could accomplish on our own or any earthly possessions.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 12:1-2.)

2. How is the Christian life like running a race? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Point out that following Jesus requires focus and determination, just like a runner needs in a race. The good news is that God gives us the promise of eternal life to cling to and strength to press on.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Isa. 40:31.)

3. How can we stay motivated while living for God? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to discuss how anything we lose or any difficulty we face will be worth enduring to know God more and serve Him. Our motivation comes from knowing that when we have finished running the race of life and are united with God forever, we will be satisfied and He will be glorified.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read 2 Tim. 4:7.)

Leader Say • Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can live with hope, knowing we will have an eternal home with Him. When we are faced with hardships in this life, we can press on, following God with confidence because the best is yet to come.

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, prompt kids to think about what they should do when following Jesus feels hard.

After the video discuss who they know who could use some encouragement. How can they encourage someone?

Sing the Song of Response below

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Thank you, our Heavenly Father for our earthly fathers and mothers.
Protection from COVID-19 throughout the summer especially for people who will be traveling.
For those who are sick or lost of job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent, to honor and to follow God.
For missionaries currently serving in Africa.

A Missions Moment

Leader: We’re going to learn about a missionary explorer named David Livingstone, who lived from 1813 to 1873. He explored places in Africa, but what he wanted to do the most was find people who needed to hear about Jesus. He encouraged churches and new believers.

Watch the missions video. Point out that David was an explorer at heart. He loved God and showed God’s love to people in Africa. Then pray for missionaries currently serving in Africa.

The Life of David Livingstone

A very short documentary a kid made for School. 6 mins.

Dr. David Livingstone: Missionary Explorer to Africa (2011) | Full Movie | Joan Sutherland

A full docu-drama movie. 59 mins.

Superbook - Paul and the Shipwreck

A complete episode. 26 mins.

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