For some, sports come easy. For others—because of physical challenges or a lack of skill in athletics—sports come harder. When someone decides to participate in a sport, like running in a marathon, that person usually dedicates months to practice running long distances. Even then, race day can be a challenge. For one young man named Matthew, even the challenge of cerebral palsy didn’t stop him from becoming a record-setting runner on race day. Let’s take a look.
Share this video with your students [3:19; atop at 2:33]:
Littleton runner with cerebral palsy defies odds, breaks record
You might expect Matthew to see his cerebral palsy as a barrier to his love of running, but even with the added requirement of daily stretching routine to maintain mobility, he’s continued running and even become a record-breaking athlete. Matthew’s determination might encourage other athletes to keep going or to come alongside those who need help to keep going. It might encourage others with physical challenges to reach for their dreams. His example might even touch the lives of other people in ways he could not imagine.
We don’t know much about Matthew’s early days of running, but we can imagine he—like any young athlete—might have had some discouraging days when he felt like giving up his sport.
- What experiences discourage you? (Answers will vary.)
- What thoughts or feelings do you have when you are discouraged? (Answers will vary.)
- Matthew had the support and encouragement of his mom as he pursued his dream of running. He probably also had the support of a coach and teammates along the way. Who do you know who reaches out and supports others when they need encouragement—perhaps someone who has inspired you or those close to you? Share an example. (Answers will vary but might include a teacher, pastor, or friend.)
What happens when we don’t find encouragement from those around us—when we feel alone, or think others don’t understand what we’re going through, or when others are discouraged, too? Examples from the life of the apostle Paul will help us find and give encouragement even in the most difficult experiences. Let’s find out where Paul found his encouragement.
