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).   

Running the Race Before Us—Philippians 3:12-14

Family Time in the Word: Read Philippians 3:12-14 Together

Family Teaching:

This passage comes in the third chapter of a “Friendship Letter” from Paul to the church in Philippi. We see the foundation of the church in Philippi in Acts 16 when Paul & Silas proclaimed the Gospel to Lydia, cast a demon out of a slave girl, and landed in prison where they sang songs of praise throughout the night before leading the jailer & his family to Christ. It was a diverse church made up of Greeks and Romans, men & women, free and slaves, rich & poor. 

This diverse church existed in the city of Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia and a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). It was named after the father of Alexander the Great, Philip of Macedon (circa 359 BC). 

Eleven years after Paul first planted this new church, around AD 60, Paul wrote a letter of friendship & exhortation to the Philippian church. Paul was writing from his house arrest in Rome (Acts 28) and writing to a church facing opposition (Phil. 1:7, 27-30). This letter, then, is from a persecuted Christian to a persecuted church.

Paul's letter focuses on Christ & his Gospel. In fact, the phrase, “In Christ,” is used 21 times in these 4 chapters. And in our devotion today, Paul continues this focus on Christ, writing, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (v. 12).  

For Paul to press on, paints a picture of a life-long pursuit. He is seeking, pursuing, striving hard after Christ and the Gospel-centered life that Jesus has for him. This is a picture of the Christian race. This is a reminder of the aim we should have. This is what we are to pursue. 

Paul longs for Christ and the life that Jesus has for him. He is running this race, pursuing this life, aiming to take hold of it all aggressively, grasping and seizing the life that pleases the Lord. What passion! What zeal! 

In verse 13, Paul writes, “One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” This is a runner, running the race, not distracted by other things—the other runners, the challenges of the race, the length of the race, what others think about him, his past accomplishments. 

Instead, Paul is, “straining toward what is ahead” (v. 13). He writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (v. 14). Paul is a runner focused on the finish line. This is his final lap, and instead of slowing down as he rounds that last corner, he is pressing on—straining forward. 

He’s not saying the you have to win the race to receive the prize, for all who run the Christian race with faith in Christ will receive the prize. Paul’s point is that we are to run the race as one who runs to win the prize. This is an analogy that reiterates his charge in chapter one: live lives worthy of the Gospel (1:27). This prize is not the wreath that runners of Paul’s day would receive. It is an imperishable gift of eternal value; namely, to gain Christ fully—to know him completely. 

Family Discussion:

Do we run the Christian race like this? Do we spend our days in pursuit of Christ and His presence? What is it that distracts you from the race? What is it that hinders you? What obstacles prevent you from seeking Christ? What would encourage you this week in the Christian race? 

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.