Weekly Fun Plan: Champions for Christ
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Welcome to this week’s Weekly Fun Plan: Champions for Christ! If you haven’t already I recommend you read my introductory blog post “Faith-filled Fun: What Is It? And Why I Started It”. That post will give you some background into this blog and a little more in-depth explanation of my Weekly Fun Plans and how to use them.
This Week’s Theme: Champions for Christ!
*Side Note: This week’s blog post was written before the 2024 Olympic opening ceremonies were held in Paris. While I am disappointed in some of the disrespectful choices made towards Christianity and do not necessarily recommend watching the opening ceremonies with your family, I think there are still some amazing athletes to continue to support and cheer on in this year’s competitions.
As Christians, we should not be surprised by this kind of display of sin in the world but should continue to respond just as Jesus would. Not responding in anger but rather patiently pointing people to Him with grace, mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness. Remember, we too, were all once lost and have been found.*
I’ve always really enjoyed watching the Olympics, both Summer and Winter. There’s just something so exciting about watching people worldwide compete and achieve the dreams they’ve trained so hard for. With the Summer Olympics officially kicking off this past week, we are in for lots of competition, excitement, and inspiring stories of hard work and triumph!
That means this is also a perfect time to talk to your kids and teach them about a pretty cool metaphor that Paul uses in the Bible comparing competing in sports to living a Christian life! This week we take a deep dive into 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 and learn how Paul teaches us to “run in such a way as to get the prize” for a “crown that will last forever”. We will do this through fun Olympic-themed crafts, snacks, and activities.
If you try anything in this week’s plan don’t forget to share your experiences on social media! Tag us @faithfilledfun on Instagram or use #faithfilledfun.
New Weekly Fun Plans drop on Mondays so stay up to date with the blog each week by subscribing to my email list!
Bible Lesson: What to Read or Watch this week
Since this week we are learning about how to be “Champions for Christ”, here are some great resources to read/watch:
If you have young children (ages 0-8):
- Read the following Bible verses:
- Watch “Spiritual Training | Train to Win the Prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 | Crossroads Kids” by Crossroads Kids on YouTube. This is a cute 9-minute video about 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 specifically geared towards young children.
If you have older children/teens (ages 9-18):
- Read the same verses listed above and take notes on what they’ve learned. Then have them answer the discussion questions for this week’s lesson.
Bible Lesson: Questions to Ask Your Kids/Discuss this week
If you read the recommended Bible verses or watched the YouTube video your kids should be able to answer this week’s question:
What is the real “prize” we run/train for? Answer: Life with Jesus in heaven (a crown that will last forever)
If you have little ones (ages 0-8):
I would focus on that one question first. Ask them the same question every morning or evening and see if they can remember the answer. Once they understand and remember that answer, move on to the additional discussion questions below.
If you have older children (ages 9-18):
Here are some additional questions you can discuss with them throughout the week:
- What does God say is the most important thing we can do? (Answer: Love God and love others)
- How is our life like running a race? (Answer from video: We must Plan, Move, Fuel, & Rest)
- What 4 steps (from the video) will help us spiritually train/grow? (Answer: Hear, Pray, Talk, Live)
- What is one thing you can do today to live for God more?
Bible Lesson: Memory Verse
Memorizing scripture is vital to teaching our children at a young age. Recalling and reciting scripture that they’ve memorized will help them as they grow and go through trials in life. It will also encourage them, equip them to go out and be little disciples of Jesus, and strengthen their faith as they age.
This week let’s have your kids work on memorizing 1 Corinthians 9:25
Memorizing scripture is so much easier for kids if you can find a way to make it fun. Here are some different ideas to try as a family to help memorize this week’s verse:
- Come up with some simple motions for each word of the verse and make a cheer or dance out of it.
- Come up with your own melody and create a song out of it.
- Make it a game. Start by saying one word or phrase of the verse at a time and have your kids repeat after you until you’ve gotten through the whole verse. Then repeat the process saying the words differently every time. Examples: slow, fast, in a silly voice, quiet, loud, etc.
Once your child/children have got it, I recommend practicing reciting the verse each morning over breakfast or before they leave for school and maybe even again before bed. Make it a part of your routine and you’ll be amazed at how fast they will begin to pick it up.
Supplies needed for this week’s activities
Here is a quick list of all the supplies that you will need to complete all the suggested crafts, activities, and snacks for this week’s plan. For a list of my most used craft supplies, and things I will be utilizing often in future Weekly Fun Plans be sure to check out my Links page.
- Markers
- Scissors
- Construction Paper
- Glue
- Paper Plate
- Stapler
- Aluminum Foil
- White Paper
- Paint
- Plastic Cups
- Ribbon
- Cake Cones
- Yellow Permanent Marker
- Nectarine
- Yogurt or Whipped Cream
Recipe: Olympic Torch Fruit Cone
This week’s snack idea is another fun way to present a healthy dose of fruit to your kids with an Olympic twist. Make these Olympic Torch Fruit Cones in just a few simple steps:
- Slice up a firm nectarine or peach.
- Fill a cake cone with your favorite flavor of yogurt or some whipped cream.
- Place your nectarine slices into your cone to create your “Olympic torch” flames and enjoy!
Crafts:
This week, we are making “Cup-Stamped Olympic Rings” and an “Olympic Paper Crown & Gold Medal Craft”. Both crafts are simple, fun, and perfect for celebrating this year’s Olympics!
Cup-Stamped Olympic Rings:
Our first craft this week is a super quick and easy way to paint the Olympic Rings logo while discussing and memorizing this week’s memory verse! Follow the link or image for easy step-by-step instructions on how to make these Cup-Stamped Olympic Rings.
Olympic Paper Crown & Gold Medal Craft:
Next up we have this fun Olympic Paper Crown & Gold Medal Craft. Use one paper plate to create two different costume pieces to help you dress up like your favorite gold medalist at the Olympics! Follow the link or image for an easy step-by-step guide.
Activities:
With our theme this week, “Champions for Christ”, here are a few extra ideas for activities to do with your children:
- Watch this year’s Olympic Games together as a family.
- Set up an obstacle course outside or in a playroom.
- Play your favorite sports as a family/have a family race.
- Create a “Spiritual Game Plan” and write it down on a piece of paper or make it into a poster to hang up. (Make a list of different ways you can help yourself grow/train spiritually)
Parenting Tip of the Week:
One easy way we can help our children build a strong foundation of faith is through the music we listen to in our homes and in the car. It can be such a passive activity having music on in the background while we cook dinner, while they play with their toys, or while we drive them to school or practice, but it can make such an impact. Fill your home with praise and worship music whenever possible. You’ll see the greatest effects of this when you suddenly hear your children singing along to the words of your favorite worship song. Check out my Spotify for playlists I’ve created specifically with Christian Songs for Kids and My Current Worship Favs to play in our home!
Prayers:
Lastly, I like to end each Weekly Fun Plan with some example prayers for your week. One is to pray with your kids, maybe before they get on the bus in the morning, before a meal, or before bed, and the other prayer is for you, the parent, to pray over your kids throughout the week.
Prayer to say with your kids this week:
Dear God, Thank You for the Bible and the wisdom we can gain from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Help us to run the race set before us for your praise and glory. Help us to train hard through reading our Bibles, prayer, and sharing You and Your love with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer to pray over your kids this week:
Dear Lord, Thank you for Paul and the wisdom that he shared with us through his many letters in the Bible. Thank you for the freedom to read Your Word and hear from you through scripture. Equip me Lord to run a race worthy of You. Give me ears to hear from You, steadfastness in my prayer life, boldness to share You with not only my children but everyone around me, and overflowing love for others. Help me to live my life for a crown that will never fade. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I hope you have a wonderful week and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram @faithfilledfun to stay up to date with the blog!
