June - August, 2008 

Series Overview: God gives us challenges that when we rise to meet them we are blessed.  In life and in this worship series, each week there is a new challenge!  We will talk about it in church and the kids will actually do the challenge in church school.  (The children will start out in church and be dismissed for church school following the children’s sermon.)

May 31- June 1

Challenge: Platform Building

God’s Athletes: Do God’s Will

Intro to the Day: An athlete can’t just talk a great game, they actually have to be able to play a great game.  They had to build on a foundation of excellent instruction, effort and experience.   Jesus says today in Matt. 7, those who do His will are like a builder who builds on rock instead of sand.  As we study God’s Word, examine our hearts and sacrifice to serve others we build on the Rock of Ages we prosper.  

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Lesson: Genesis 6:13-22

June 7-8

Challenge: Cloak Chase

God’s Athletes: Are Bold

Intro to the Day: An athlete has to have a lot moxy to try to excel at a sport.  The woman who was healed by Jesus had to have enough courage and faith to touch his cloak.  The leader of synagogue whose daughter just died had to have enough courage and faith to find Jesus and ask for him to bring his daughter back to life.   

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

Lesson: I Kings 17:17-24 

June 14-15 (Father’s Day)

Challenge: Featherweight Luggage Run

God’s Athletes: Travel Light

Intro to the Day: Many U.S. long distant runners now train over 7,000 feet above sea level in order to push their lungs to the limit.  They typical leave all behind in order to become world class runner.  Few supplies are needed, just a big heart.  Jesus calls his disciples to go out and heal the sick.  He says to bring only a few supplies.  To overcome the many obstacles on the way they needed, and received, the power of God.

Gospel: Matthew 10:2-16

Lesson: Jeremiah 20:7-13

June 21-22

Challenge: Fencing and Foiling

God’s Athletes: Are Fully Committed

Intro to the Day: Great athletes have to give it their all.  They have to be fully committed in order to have a chance to win the event.  In the same way, Jesus says to his disciples that they must put God first in their lives in order to win the imperishable wreath.  “Those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Gospel: Matthew 10:32-39

Lesson: Gen. 22: 1-18

June 28-29   

Challenge: Welcome Relay

God’s Athletes: Are Team Players

Intro to the Day: In team sports, great Athletes have to be great teammates.  Jesus preached the value of teamwork.  In the span of two verses in Matthew 10, Jesus uses the word “welcome” six times.  We are to be hospitable to others.  We are to provide good support.  We are to be true team players.

Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42

Lesson: Genesis 14:17-20

July 5-6   

Challenge: Yoke Weight Setting

God’s Athletes: Are Gentle and Humble

Intro to the Day: A great athlete has find ways to make the difficult seem easy.  Jesus today suggests that there is an easier way to deal with all that troubles us.  As we follow Jesus’ Way we discover a way to harness God’s power to ease our burdens. 

Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Lesson: Isaiah 9:4-6

July 12-13   

Challenge: The 100 Fold Dash of Seeds

God’s Athletes: Stay Focused

Intro to the Day: A great athlete stays focused over long periods of time.  They don’t let success go to their head or allow drugs, Hollywood or the wrong crowd to derail them.  They are like the seeds that fell onto good soil that Jesus talks about in Matthew 13.  It is these seeds that grow into productive plants.

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Lesson: Isaiah 55:10-13

July 19-20   

Challenge: Weed and Wheat Toss

God’s Athletes: Battle Through Tough Circumstances

Intro to the Day: A great athlete has to do well even in adverse circumstances.  Sometimes the weather is foul, or the teammates are horrible or irascible.  Jesus tells the parable about the weeds and the wheat in Matthew 13.  The implication is that some of the people in life are wheat and some are weeds.  Since their roots get intertwined they have to grow together until harvest.  Like wheat, we too have to learn to thrive amidst the weeds.   

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Lesson: Romans 5:1-8

July 26-27   

Challenge: Track and Field Hunting

God’s Athletes: Know What’s Hidden Can Be Mighty

Intro to the Day: Great athletes have something inside that makes them great.  They have the right genes and the right heart.  Jesus says in Matthew 13 that every single one of us is from good seed.  We all can access all the power we need through faith.  God puts the power inside and gives us the opportunity to grow in wonderful ways.  This gift is like a treasure hidden in a field that once we find we are willing to sell all we have to buy the field. 

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

 Lesson: I Sam. 17:41

Aug. 2-3   

Challenge: Team Food Pursuit

God’s Athletes:  Eat for Free

Intro to the Day: Great athletes have to eat the right foods as they train in order to perform at the highest of levels.  Jesus in Matthew 14 blessed five loaves of bread and two fish and fed five thousand people who had followed him to a deserted place - for free!  When we follow Jesus, he provides us with the best food even if we did not anticipate it.  

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

Lesson: Isaiah 55:1-5

Aug. 9-10    

Challenge: Power Walking 

God’s Athletes: Learn from Failures

Intro to the Day: An athlete has to repeatedly learn from failure in order to excel.  In Matthew 14, Jesus bids Peter to walk out to him on the sea.  Peter starts to do so but faced with the wind and waves he starts to sink.  He failed, but he learned the value of faith and helped build Jesus’ church.  We too can learn from our failures. 

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Lesson: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Aug. 16-17    

Challenge: Triple Jump for Help

God’s Athletes: Are Persistent

Intro to the Day: Great Athletes are Persistent.  They won’t stop until they win the title.  The woman in Matthew 15, would not be stopped.   Although not a chosen one of Israel she asked Jesus three times for help.  Despite being discouraged from seeking help from the disciples and Jesus himself, she kept asking and finally received help.  Jesus loved her faith and persistence.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

Lesson: Romans 10:9-17

Aug. 23-24 - (Building Dedication Weekend) 

Challenge: Opening and Closing Ceremonies

God’s Athletes: God’s Athletes open doors.

Intro to the Day: When one door closes, great athletes have a way of opening another. Today Jesus says God uses servants like Elijah, John the Baptist and Peter.  Now God is using us to do something new.  One chapter is closing and another opens for us and for God’s people today. 

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

Lesson: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Aug. 30-31  (Labor Day Weekend) 

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28