The 2020 Summer Olympic Games (held in 2021) began on July 23, 2021 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. 

As millions around the world cheer on their favorite athletes, enjoy their favorite events, and track their nation’s medal count, our families have an opportunity to reflect on the many sports and race metaphors in the Bible. 

Thomas Schreiner and Ardel Caneday’s The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance offers a good examination of the race metaphor used in the Bible: 

“God calls us to this race.” (Phil. 3:14) 

“We train for this race.” (1 Tim. 4:7-8) 

“Our training entails strict self-control.” (1 Cor. 9:25) 

“Anyone who runs this race must compete according to the rules.” (2 Tim. 2:5) 

“There is a prize to be won.” (1 Cor. 9:24) 

“Anyone who seeks to win the prize must run with singular devotion, with one’s eyes set on the prize who is Jesus Christ.” (Heb. 12:1-2) 

The following Family Devotions are offered as a Gospel Family resource for you to use in your Family Worship, leading those in your household to run the Christian race well as you pass the baton of faith to the next generation (Psalm 78:4-7).

Finish the Race Well—Acts 20:17-24

Family Time in the Word: Read Acts 20:17-24 Together

Family Teaching:

This story takes place during Paul’s third Missionary Journey, spanning the course of five years from A.D. 52–57 (Acts 18:23–21:17). Just before this passage, Paul left Ephesus during the Ephesian riot, on his way to Jerusalem and ultimately setting his eyes on Rome. Paul spent 3 months in Greece, sailed to Syria and then to Macedonia with many Christians traveling with him. From Philippi he came to Troas after the days of Unleavened Bread. Paul then sailed past Ephesus, but in Miletus, he did call for the Ephesian elders of the church to come to him. 

Ephesus was about 30 miles from Miletus, but because of the layout of the long roads, it is estimated that it would have taken 3 days for a messenger to travel to Ephesus and return with the Ephesian elders.  

Paul is not recounting his service with the Ephesians as a manner of reminiscing, reliving the good old days. And he’s not boasting or bragging, patting himself on the back. He is recounting his service in order that it may serve as an example for the Elders, the Shepherds, of the church.

In verses 20-21, Paul writes, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul’s aim was to put the Gospel in front of the Ephesians every day of the week—to see it infiltrate every aspect of their lives.  

This was Paul’s focus and still was his focus as he looked ahead in ministry. Verses 22-23 show Paul’s understanding of the coming trials that awaited him, and yet, such opposition never distracted Paul from his mission. Look at verse 24: 

“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” 

Paul serves as an example of a Christian who died to himself for the sake of the Gospel. All Christians are running the Christian race, and Paul longed to finish the race well. 

In the Olympics, many runners will start off well, but the race is long and often difficult, and while starting the race well is important, it is another thing altogether to finish the race well. This is Paul’s heart and this is Paul’s example for us today—to run the Christian race daily, depending on the grace and strength of the Lord so that we may fulfill the ministry He has for us. 

Family Discussion:

What is something that you believe God has called you to do? What makes the Christian race difficult at times? How can we run the race well? What does it mean to finish the Christian race well? 

FAMILY PRAYER:

Close this time of Family Worship in prayer together by asking each family member to share a prayer request they have or a praise that they would like to share. You can either take turns praying or have one person pray for what was shared.