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Have you made any goals for the new year? Do any of them involve helping your family grow closer to Jesus?
An excellent way to reach this goal is to find a time at least once a month to gather your family together for a family Bible time. Don't know what to study together? No problem! This post contains ideas to help you lead a family Bible study over Philippians 3:12-16 — a perfect passage for a New Year!
Opening Activity:
Set up an obstacle course around your house for your family to complete. Take turns running through the obstacle course, timing each round to see how fast each of you can complete it. Try this several times, adding a different difficulty each time. For example, try completing the course with your shoelaces tied together, while blindfolded, while walking backwards, etc. Encourage each family member to PRESS ON and finish the race!
Additional fun: If you have lots of snow on the ground, take your family outside and have races through the snow in your yard. The snow will make it difficult to run and you will have to work hard to press on and finish the race. When you are done running through the snow, come inside and treat yourselves to hot chocolate and cookies while you continue the rest of your time together!
For Discussion:
- How hard was it for you to finish the obstacle course?
- Which time was the most difficult? Why?
- How did you feel when you finally finished?
Say: You had a race to complete and you had a lot of obstacles that stood in your way. However, you kept going and finished the race. Today we are going to look at how we need to keep going in life, too. No matter how difficult our life becomes, we need to press on to the goal of the prize that God has promised us!
Lesson Time:
Read Philippians 3:12-16.
For Discussion:
- What was Paul's goal?
- What did Paul say to do with what lies behind? What do you think this means?
Paul's past contained both good and bad situations. Earlier in Philippians 3, Paul gave a list of his accomplishments. Take a look at that list . . . it's pretty impressive! Yet Paul stated that he considered all of that GARBAGE compared to knowing Christ! Paul also had some pretty bad past circumstances. After all, he spent much of his time seeking out and destroying Christ-followers.
- When Paul said to “forget what lies behind,” do you think he was talking about the good, the bad, or both? Explain.
- What does it mean to “press on towards the goal”?
- What should be our ultimate goal?
- How can we remember to keep pressing on, even when life is tough?
Have everyone take off his shoes and socks. Discuss together ways that you as a family can encourage one another to keep pressing on, even when times get tough. Think about this new year and discuss family spiritual goals for the year, keeping Philippians 3:13-14 in mind. Take a marker and write one of the goals or ways you can encourage one another on the bottom of each person's feet — one goal per foot! Then put all your feet together and spend time praying for one another to be able to press on towards the goal, no matter what! Say “Amen” and let the tickling begin!
Additional Activities:
1. Make or decorate a crown to remind each one of you of the prize that is waiting for you!
2. Make sugar cookies in the shape of crowns and then decorate them with frosting and fun sprinkles.
3. Decorate a pair of socks to remind you to press on towards the goal.
4. When times get tough this year, have a family foot-tickling session to remind you of the goals you made and to encourage you to keep pressing on!
I hope that this Bible study will help you get your family into the Word this month. Be sure to check back next month for a Family Bible Study focusing on LOVE.
