Week of June 15, 2025

Getting Started:

1.  What is your favorite sport?  Least favorite sport?  What is it about your favorite sport (played by your favorite team) that grabs your attention?

2.  Why is winning or the pursuit of a gold medal dramatically exciting?

Going Deeper:

1.     Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

2.  Why do you suppose Paul used a sports reference to illustrate the faithful Christian life? (read verses 19-23)

3.  According to verse 24, what is the goal of running in a race and how does Paul challenge his readers?

4.  How is this type of race different from the Christian race?  Is there only one winner?  Why or why not? 

5.  Read Hebrews 12:1-2.  How does this passage describe the necessary preparation for the Christian runner?

6.  Go back and read the second part of 1 Corinthians 9:25.  Why should our focus be on an eternal crown over a temporal one?  (Read 2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Peter 1:4)

7.  In what ways will I train myself to be more dedicated, disciplined, and determined in how I run “my race?”