Before class, create pin-on number “bibs” similar to those worn by marathon runners; print out one per student on cardstock. The template can be found here. Leave the gray boxes at the top and bottom blank for your students to fill in later.

Like other followers of Christ who came before us, we are a part of a huge crowd of witnesses—all finishing the race God has given us to complete in this life. Let’s think about the obstacles that just might keep us from finishing strong.  

Give your students a marathon runner bib along with black markers and pens/pencils. Have your students think of tag lines they would like to fill in to complete their runner tag and add those in the gray boxes with the black markers (an example might be listing the name of the race such as The Great Race or Life’s Marathon at the top and the memory verse reference on the bottom).

Once they have filled in their tag lines, instruct your teens to punch a hole in the upper corners of their runner’s tag and thread a safety pin through each hole. Have them turn their runner’s tag over to the blank side. Ask them to pair up with a partner to discuss and write down some of the things that might distract them from their spiritual goals but allow them to work privately if they prefer. Encourage them to avoid generalities like “sin” or “laziness” and instead think of specific things in their own lives that might be throwing them off course (encourage them to use symbols or abbreviations that will be known only to them if they are concerned about others seeing what they intended to be private).

When students have had time to think and write, discuss these questions together:

• What are some distractions you came up with? (Students might mention personal weaknesses, family background, temptations, a busy lifestyle, indulgence, love of pleasure, poor friend choices, and so forth.)
• Many athletes listen to motivational coaches or feel-good speeches to keep them engaged in training. But what else does a Christian have that can empower him to do God’s will? (We have the Holy Spirit at work in us—we do not have to rely on willpower.)
• Thinking about the obstacles that you wrote on the back of your runner’s tag, how will you be able to minimize those? What steps can you take this week to throw off those things that might be holding you back in your race? (This question can be answered out loud as a group, or as quiet personal reflection if desired.)

At the end of the lesson, you might want to further the marathon metaphor by having your students pin their marathon numbers to their clothing. Encourage your teens to revisit their list of obstacles/distractions as well as their “how to” list this week at home, taking steps to stay motivated and engaged in the race.

Have your students pray with their partners at the close of class—and even into the weeks to come.