Tag Archives: athletes

2010 Youth Olympic Games Bible Study Resources

August 4, 2010 kensapp Leave a comment

The streets here in Singapore have really been busy with one major event about to explode into action. If you haven’t heard about it by now, it’s the first time this little island nation I call home will be hosting an international sporting event – the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Not only is it the first time we’re hosting something this big, it’s the first Youth Olympic Games to be held ever!

I thought a great way to celebrate this international youth sporting event would be to launch not one but two Youth Bible Study series / Youth Camp Curriculum that are sports themed. It doesn’t matter which part of the world you’re in, you’ve probably heard of the Olympics. Likely, your youth would have heard about the 2010 Youth Olympic Games too. We hope to support you with these great sports-themed studies, something that they can easily relate to and invite their pre-believing friends to participate in too.

Introducing, “Go for the Gold”

Click below to learn more…
“Go for the Gold” – Youth Olympic Game themed Bible Study Series

This is an evangelistic youth Bible Study or Youth Camp Curriculum. I’m taking a step of faith here in the vein of the good work of what the Alpha course is doing to reach out to pre-believing youth in five 1-2 hour sessions, to share the truth about salvation using the Olympic rings as a backdrop to the Bible studies. This study can also be used as an evangelistic tool for mature Christians to reach out to their own friends and loved ones.

Plus, “Destined to Win”

Click below to learn more…
“Destined to Win” – Youth Sports themed Bible Study Series (Great for the Youth Olympics too)

This sports-themed Bible Study or Camp Curriculum covers what it takes to run the Christian race. It’s a great follow-up study to “Go for the Gold” as the content focuses on answering “What’s next?” and “What is my spiritual destiny?” In five 1-2 hour sessions, I hope to impart what it takes to run the Christian race.

Your youth will learn:

Put on Your Running Shoes
“The Spiritual Race and Characteristics of Good Athletes”
(I Corinthians 9:24-27)
Cross Training
“A Healthy Spiritual Diet and Exercise”
(I Timothy 4:8)
Crossing the Goal
“Don’t Give Up, Don’t Look Back, Focus on the Goal and Do What It Takes”
(Philippians 3:12-14, 17-21)
Staying In Your Lane and On Track
“Discovering God’s Will”
Various scriptures
A Trophy or Atrophy
“Choosing to Live for Christ”
(II Timothy 4:7-8)

If you’re not running any more camps this season, not to worry, I’ve designed this curriculum to be used for your Bible Studies, Sunday School or Small Groups.

Find out more about how you can challenge your youth to “Go for the Gold” and “run the race” towards their spiritual destiny by clicking on the links below:

Go for the Gold

Destined to Win

With YOUth on my heart
Ken

Creative Teaching Ideas

Grasshopper Olympics

April 8, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Introduction
Announce that today we are going today we are going to have some grasshopper Olympics.
Whoever wins will be crowned King of the Grasshoppers!

Materials
Masking tape and a few jump ropes.

Preparation
Tape two 4-foot strips of masking tape to the floor, 12 to 15 feet apart to use as goal lines for the following special relays/ jumping competitions. You may wish to get the youth to warm up doing a few jumping jack exercises.

Grasshopper Competitions

High jump (Mark the jumps on the wall with a piece of tape)
Number of consecutive skips using a jump rope.
Greatest number of people jumping successfully at the same time using a single jump rope.
Most spectacular trick using a jump rope
Long jump from a stand still – line them up along the line and let them jump forward.
Least number of jumps to reach the opposite line
Running long jump… allow to run and jump from the line without crossing over the line.

Take it to the next level

Award the King of the grasshoppers with a crown of grass! Then ask:

Is being compared to a grasshopper a good thing or a put down?
Read Numbers 13:33

In this story, the Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers. They saw the Guinness World Record breaking inhabitants of the land and in comparison saw themselves as small little grasshoppers. Their focus was on their own limited abilities instead of God’s great promises. When we focus on ourselves we often get the wrong perspective on things. We need to learn to see things from God’s perspective. A king of the grasshoppers may be insignificant, but the King of Kings, God with us, can accomplish anything God desires. God promised the land to the Israelites. His promises never fail. All they needed to do was trust Him and follow in obedience. Instead they ran away in fear.

What is it in your life that you need to trust God for?
What promises of God are applicable to that area of your life?
How can you claim those promises and walk in obedience?

When you do, God will replace fear with victory in your life!

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

What is salvation all about? What does it mean to be saved? This sports themed Bible Study / Camp Curriculum uses the Olympic Flag to introduce the concepts of sin (black circle), forgiveness (red circle), purity (white background), spiritual growth (green circle), heaven (Yellow Circle) and (Baptism) blue circle.
-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

Teaching Illustrations

Rabbit on the Swim Team

December 26, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school. They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

The duck was excellent in swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that – except the duck.

The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed “charlie horses” from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist. In climbing classes he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there…”

The obvious moral of that story is a simple one – each creature has its own set of capabilities in which it will naturally excel -unless it is expected or forced to fill a mold that doesn’t fit. When that happens, frustration, discouragement, and even guilt bring overall mediocrity or complete defeat. A duck is a duck – and only a duck. It is built to swim, not to run or fly and certainly not to climb. A squirrel is a squirrel – and only that. To move it out of its forte, climbing, and then expect it to swim or fly will drive a squirrel nuts. Eagles are beautiful creatures in the air but not in a foot race. The rabbit will win every time unless, of course, the eagle gets hungry.

Source: Unknown

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Our “Destined to Win” series is a great follow up for youth who are new Christians or to emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum / Small Group Study has a sports theme and is great for athletes and works well as a tie in to what’s going on in the NBA and the current Linsanity.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

Teaching Illustrations

Helping Others Win

August 20, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.

At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.

They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back……every one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.

People who were there are still telling the story… Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Icebreakers

Olympic Icebreakers: Olympic Sport Pantomimes

August 14, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Description
Use these Olympic Sports related Icebreakers for a sports related or Olympics related meeting.

Use this list of sports as a resource for the next few icebreakers:

Baseball
Basketball
Bobsledding
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing
Chess
Cross-country Skiing
Darts
Diving
Downhill
Skiing
Fencing
Football
Fencing
Figure skating
Golf
Gymnastics
Horseshoes
Ice Hockey
Kayaking
Luge
Ping-pong
Rappelling
River Rafting
Rock Climbing
Horseshoes
Rugby
Ski Jump
Slalom
Soccer
Speed skating
Swimming
Synchronised swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Water polo
Wrestling

Olympic Icebreaker Ideas

Give youth different sports to pantomime. Let the rest of the youth guess the sports.
Give youth different items of equipment for various sports to pantomime. Let the rest of the youth guess the items.
Tell us about your most embarrassing moment while participating in a sport.
Tell us about your greatest triumph while participating in a sport.

Take it to the next level

Ask you to name a sports figure they admire and to explain why.
What characteristics of athletes are also admirable in Christians?
In what ways is the Christian life like various sports?

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Icebreakers

Olympic Icebreaker: Famous Olympic Athletes

August 13, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Description
This icebreaker is appropriate during the Olympics or for special sports events.

Preparation
On small slips of paper write down the names of numerous athletes. (Best if they are the more prominent athletes from the Olympic Games or the more famous athletes from a variety of sports.)

What to do

Tape the names of Olympic athletes to the back of students as they arrive.
The task of the students is to discover which Olympic athlete’s name is pinned on their backs by asking only “yes” or “no” questions.
This continues until everyone arrives and has learned the name of the famous Olympic athlete on his/her back.
Then go around the group and ask each youth their name, favorite Olympic sport, and other information you might like to know.

Famous Olympic Athletes

Here’s a few well known Olympic athletes to get you started

Bruce Jenner – Track and Field
Carl Lewis – Track and Field
Dorothy Hamill – Figure Skating
Edwin Moses – Track and Field
Eric Heiden – Speed Skating
Ian Thorpe – Swimming
Jesse Owens – Track and Field
Jim Thorpe – Track and Field
Lance Armstrong – Cycling
Mark Spitz – Swimming
Mary Lou Retton – Gymnastics
Michael Phelps – Swimming
Muhammed Ali – Boxing
Nadia Comaneci – Gymnastics
Usain Bolt – Track and Field

Keen to use some of the most promising Athlete from the 2012 Olympic Games in London?
Here’s a list of the top 2012 Olympic Athletes to Watch

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

-> Tell me about “Go for the Gold”

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Icebreakers

Olympic Icebreakers: Spiritual Sports Similies

August 12, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

Description
Youth will compare thier spiritual life to an Olympic sport.

What to do
Ask each youth what sport best describes his/her spiritual life and why.
“My spiritual life is like ____________ because __________________.”

A list of sports is included below if the youth need help thinking of some.

Baseball
Basketball
Bobsledding
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing
Chess
Cross-country Skiing
Darts
Diving
Downhill
Skiing
Fencing
Football
Fencing
Figure skating
Golf
Gymnastics
Horseshoes
Ice Hockey
Kayaking
Luge
Ping-pong
Rappelling
River Rafting
Rock Climbing
Horseshoes
Rugby
Ski Jump
Slalom
Soccer
Speed skating
Swimming
Synchronised swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Water polo
Wrestling

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Teaching Illustrations

A Father’s Support

June 5, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

In the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona Derek Redmond of Great Britain was on the way to fulfilling his lifetime dream of winning a gold medal in the Olympics.

He had earned a spot in the semifinals of the 400 meter race, and as the gun sounded to start the race, Derek got off to a great start. He was running the race of his life, and the finish line was in sight, when suddenly he felt a stab of pain in his right leg. He fell face first onto the track with a torn hamstring.

The race was over for Derek. He struggled to his feet before the medical team could reach him. Though every runner had passed him, he began hopping forward, tears of pain and disappointment streaking his face, determined to finish the race.

Suddenly, a man plowed through the security guards on the sidelines and ran onto the track. He raced up to Derek and hugged him, “You don’t have to do this,” Jim Redmond told his weeping son. “Yes I do,” Derek answered. “Well, then,” his father said, “we’re going to finish the race together.”

Derek’s father gripped his son around the shoulders, and they faced the finish line, resolutely waving off the security men who hovered around them. They limped and hopped together, Derek’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, and stayed in Derek’s lane all the way to the end.

The watching crowd gaped at first at the unusual scene. Then one by one, they rose to their feet, and began cheering and crying at the son’s determination and the father’s support.

Go for the Gold
Need an evangelistic Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series with an Olympic Theme?

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Resource Reviews

Wind in Your Face

June 4, 2008 kensapp Leave a comment

There was a period of time, a few years ago, when I had gotten out of a long habit of daily running due to some knee problems.

I hadn’t yet gotten into my present habit of taking long daily walks. As a result, I was getting progressively out of shape–and heavier. My doctor suggested that I try riding a bicycle for exercise.

So, after an approximately fifty-year hiatus from bike riding, I started riding a bicycle ten miles a day on the bike path alongside the lovely blue Pacific Ocean between Marina del Rey and Santa Monica. I was fearful and wobbly at first, but the more I rode, the less my behind hurt, and the more I grew in balance and confidence.

One day, as I headed north toward my turnaround point at Santa Monica, I found myself going along faster and more effortlessly than ever before. What fun it was! I hardly had to push the pedals. Boy, this is great! I never realized that I would get in such good condition so fast. The muscles in my legs must be developing really well, I thought. I sat straight up on my bike and rode along like a conquering hero. King for a day! Then… Realty struck!

It happened when I turned around to come back. Wham! I was hit in the face with a very brisk wind. To make any forward progress at all, I had to almost stand up on the pedals. Now I knew why I had found it so easy going the other way. The strong wind had been at my back, pushing me along. But now I had a decidedly contrary wind. It was hard going. As I struggled along, making precious little progress, I was tempted to get off and walk the bike back home.

Then a though struck me. Hey, you are out here for exercise. Now you are really developing the muscles of your heart, lungs, and legs. It is the wind in your face that brings the most development, not the wind at your back. So I struggled on and made it back home, not feeling nearly as heroic as I had while going downwind earlier.

How true to life. Sooner or later we all learn that the wind is not always at our backs. Many times we face contrary winds that try our souls. We feel like quitting. The winds are just too contrary and too strong. But, thank God, out of the hard and gusty winds of disappointment, suffering, sadness, rejections, adversity, and pain, comes the development of our spiritual muscles.

It’s fun to have the wind at our backs. But growth comes from having the wind in our face.”

Source: Donald Russell Robertson “Dear You” (Word Publishing 1989)

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

Game Ideas

Superbowl Party Game Ideas and Activities

February 1, 2008 kensapp 1 Comment

American Football is a national past-time for most Americans and the most famous football game is the Superbowl! Just days away, the Superbowl is a great opportunity to tackle a few games with your youth while you score a few goals for the kingdom of God!

Here are some great ideas on the Creative Youth Ideas website to do Just that:

Christian Team
In many ways, the Body of Christ is similar to a football team. Use this Superbowl Teaching Illustration to show that, like a football team, the members of a church each have different positions and they all work together for a common goal.

SuperBowl Teams
Can you name all the football teams represented by these creative descriptions. This makes for a fun icebreaker for your Superbowl Party. You can also put the description on one name tag and a corresponding name for the football team on another name tag. When guests arrive, give them a name tag and have them try to find their match.

The Father’s Eyes
Use this touching football themed illustration for a sermon or talk at your Superbowl Party to teach youth about our Heavenly Father’s love for us.

Football Trivia
Do you know how many cows sacrifice their skins for footballs? The origin of the the football huddle? Check out this entry for fun football Trivia!

Spectator Sport?
Use this Football themed devotional to talk about pressing on toward our goal in life as Christians.

Not Looking Back
Superbowl winners get a gold ring and the team gets a trophy. To simply play in a Superbowl game is an accomplishment. To win is a great achievement. But as the years go by, we often forget who won which Superbowl game. The accomplishments fade. But Paul wasn’t interested in past accomplishments. He was focused on the future! Last year’s game was not as important as what lies ahead. Use this Football themed illustration to talk about giving up everything to pursue our calling in Christ!

SuperBowl Charades
In this classic football themed variation of charades participants must act out phrases or words in order for team members to guess the correct phrase. It’s great for your Superbowl party and has discussion questions and teaching points for living the Christian life. Use it for a half-time game or after game activity at your next Superbowl party!

Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?

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