Fellowship Community Church
Kids Life Family Devotional
Introduction
Thank you for participating in the Faith at Home family video and devotional this year. Our
theme is “Run the Race” as we focus on what it looks like to follow Jesus and grow in our faith this New
Year. Use the following devotional to discuss these important things with your family as you live out
your faith at home.
Family Activity
Set up a short obstacle course that your children will have to navigate by crawling under objects,
zig-zagging through chairs, and crossing a step stone bridge made of pillows. Be creative with the space
you have or set up the obstacle course outside if that works better. The first time through the obstacle
course have your children wear their winter coats with all the accessories and make them wear a
backpack filled with books or some of their favorite toys. Once they have completed the obstacle course
with the extra weight have them try it one more time without the winter gear and the backpack. Sit
down as a family when they finish and ask your children the following questions:
1. Was it easier to do the obstacle course with all that extra stuff (winter gear and backpack) or
without it?
2. What made it more difficult with all that extra stuff?
Connecting Thought
Following Jesus is similar to walking through an obstacles course. It’s much more difficult when
you let “extra stuff” slow you down, distract you, or lead you off the course. Hebrews 12:1-2 teaches us
that we must remove all the extra stuff from our life and focus on Jesus in order to follow Him.
Read Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight,
and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV)
(Optional for families with young children)
“A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way.
Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out
for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one
who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there
because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(NIRV)
Discussion Questions
1. What extra stuff slowed you down when you went through the obstacle course?
2. What extra stuff slows us down when we are trying to follow Jesus? (see Hebrews 12:1)
3. How can we not let the extra stuff distract us from following Jesus? (see Hebrews 12:2)
Closing Thoughts
Following Jesus is not a sprint, but a marathon that each of us needs to do every day. We must remove
all the extra stuff in our lives that holds us back as well as keep our focus on Jesus and His sacrifice on
the cross in order to run well.
fcclife.org