Run the Race

MEMORY VERSE

Hebrews 12:1, ...Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

OBJECT LESSON / SKIT

Teacher: What is a race? (allow the kids to respond) In this scripture, a race is talking about a special course that God has given each one of us to run. BUT there are things that can keep us from running our race.

A runner comes in wearing a running outfit but huffing and puffing from wearing a huge backpack with extra supplies…just in case.

Runner: Whoa, man! (jogging in place) This running is tough stuff. 

Teacher: You're running with all this stuff on?

Runner: Yeah. You never know when you may need some of this stuff. 

The teacher takes one thing off at a time from the runner and asks what it's for. The runner explains why they need it. Examples: 

• Chair: May get tired & need to sit down.
• Leg weights: Need to strengthen muscles to fun faster.
• Heavy coat: Might get cold.
• Bottles of water: In case you get thirsty.
• Toilet paper: Well you know what that's for!

Runner still jogs in place. Starts to notice it's a little easier each time something is removed. After the last thing is taken off, says "Wow, it's so much easier to run now." Runs back & forth a few times.

Teacher: It's a lot easier to run when you don't have things weighing you down. We were just talking about this when you came in.

(Read the memory verse. Tell the runner how God has given each one of us a race to run. A special plan just for us. But there are things that can weigh us down & hinder us.) 

Teacher: Just like you were weighted down with all this stuff, we can get weighted down with things in life that hinder us from running our race for God.

Runner: What kinds of things?

Teacher: Well, like having the wrong kind of friends. People that tear you down instead of building you up. We need to be around people that encourage us. People who believe the Word of God. 

Runner: What does it mean by sin ensnares you?

Teacher: Ensnare is like being caught in a trap. And you can't go anywhere if you're caught in a trap, can you? That's what sin does. It will hold you back from running the race God has for you to run. Like disobeying our parents and teachers. Doing things that we know are wrong and not obeying God's Word.

Runner: I know how much easier it is to run my race without all this stuff. I'm going to make sure I don't do anything that will hinder my race for God, either. But right now, I've got a race to finish! Gotta go! 

(runs out)

MEMORY VERSE SKIT

Chef with really thick glasses, can't see very well, a little on the goofy side. Comes in to share a recipe from his new cookbook that’s really a bible. Confuses the words with food.

I have a recipe to share with you from my new cookbook! This recipe is called “He Brews” so I'm sure it goes well with coffee or tea. Oh look, you already have the recipe on the wall! (Hebrews 12:1 hanging on the wall) See? He Brews 12 or 1. Makes enough for 12 people or just 1 really big person. Now, let's get on with our recipe. 

“Lettuce, lay aside and wait". So first, we’ll need lettuce. (pull lettuce out) And then it says to “lay aside and wait.” (Tear up lettuce and lay it aside. Be really messy. Look at watch for 2 seconds) Ok, that's long enough to wait. Next, “...and the sandwich.” So, we're going to need a sandwich. (Pull out a sandwich or make one) “...and the sandwich so easily to share with us.” Oh, you will definitely want to share this sandwich! “...and lettuce on the plate that is set before us.” Looks like we’re going to need lots more lettuce! (tear up more lettuce) 

Chef reads recipe one more time. 

“Lettuce lay aside and wait, and the sandwich so easily to share with us, and lettuce on the plate that is set before us.”

He talks about how delicious it is and tells the class he will be back again to share another great recipe from his new cookbook. Exits.

Teacher: I think that chef may need new glasses!

OBJECT LESSON

Hurdle (can use a sawhorse)

Have you ever seen a race that has something like this on the track? Who knows what those things are called? (Hurdles)

Hurdle - an upright frame that athletes in a race must jump over.

Hurdle also has another meaning. An obstacle or difficulty.

Just like a race can have hurdles to jump over, our spiritual race that God has for us to run can have hurdles. Those hurdles are situations and circumstances that try to come against us. The devil doesn't want us to finish our race and will try to throw something in our path to trip us up and stop the plan of God. But just like a runner has learned how to jump over those hurdles, God has made us more than conquerors. That's why it's so important to come to church, learn God's Word, pray, and fellowship with Him. Because with God, there is no hurdle that you can't overcome!

BIBLE STORY

Paul's hurdles:  Shipwreck, snake bite, prison, etc.

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NLT)

Acts 28:1-6 (NLT)

Paul went through A LOT of things that would make most people give up. But what did he do? He didn't let things or circumstances stop him from running his race! 

Acts 20:24 (NIV), However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

It didn't matter what he came up against, his only goal was to finish the race that Jesus gave him to do.

That's how we should be. Jesus has given each one of us a race to run. A task to do that nobody else can do like we can. And God has given you everything you need to accomplish it!