For football fans, tomorrow is the big day. Super Bowl is just around the corner. Now my knowledge of football is minimal, although I have been attending football games in support of various family members for years. But as a Sunday School teacher, I didn’t want to pass up this opportunity for a great object lesson.
Every Super Bowl consists of the following:
Two Teams
Although there are many football teams, only two teams make it on the field. It’s much the same way in life. The world is filled with all kinds of people but ultimately we are either a part of God’s team or Satan’s. Just as Joshua advised the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, we each have a choice to make.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
Cheerleaders
Any good cheerleader knows how to pump up the crowd and show spirit for their team. Cheerleaders are encouragers. In the game of life, youth have their own peers that are either encouraging them in positive or negative ways. Ask youth to examine their friends to see whose team their friends have been rooting for.
Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (The Message)
Fans
A quick search revealed that approximately 151.6 million people will be watching the Super Bowl. Now that is a lot of eyes on one event. Now in the course of our lives, it’s unlikely that we will have that many eyes peering at as but we can be assured that other’s are watching. Like it or not. Believe or not. Your life speaks to others. The question is what is yours saying to others.
Food
During the game, the players are not eating but nutrition plays a part in their being able to play an effective game. In the same way, what we consume with our eyes and ears has impact on our spiritual lives. With TV and internet there is a smorgasbord of information to digest but not all is beneficial to us for proper growth.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up 1 Corinthians 10:23 (ISV)
Activities
To continue the football theme for the day we will play a version Super Bowl review game found at the Sunday School Network.
Crafts
Team T(s): I have a mixed group of students so for my younger students, cut out t-shirt shapes from white cardboard or easel pad. Kids can decorate their t-shirts to show they are a part of God’s team.
Commercial Zone: Older students can work together in teams to create a 30 sec script for their own commercial about choosing the right team. For the cheerleader in my group, I’ll offer the option of creating a cheer that relates to being on God’s team.
Looking for other Super Bowl Sunday School ideas, check out these resources:
God’s Team-Winning Team
Super Bowl Sunday
Proverbs 20:11 Super Bowl Lesson for Children
Do you have an idea to enhance this lesson? Can you think of a good scripture reference which relates to the section on fans? If so please share. Have a great weekend and I hope your team wins tomorrow.
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Joanne Sher says
So VERY clever, Wanda! Thanks for sharing!
Wanda says
Thanks Joanne, I want to use every opportunity to share the Gospel. Jesus was a master at using stories His audience could relate.
Rhapsody says
blessings, hope you are well and enjoying your weekend. Don’t kmow much about football, don’t understand it, don’t particularlly like it nor understand the hype however i stand up and say, more power to them.
http://www.shelfari.com/rhapsodyphoenix
http://twitter.com/rhapsodyphoenix
Wanda says
I’m with you I don’t really like the game and honestly I will not be watching the Super Bowl at all. But I have young boys in my class that excited about the game.
Pam says
Every year we struggle with how to make a connection between all eyes riveted on this football game and encouraging people to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. You give good suggestions for bringing it home to the kids, Wanda! Thanks!
Blessings!
Pam
Nikki (Sarah) says
I know even less about football….hope your weekend is wonderful.
yvonne lewis says
Very cleverly written Wanda.
Yvonne.
Nancy says
I think you have it covered; I am impressed….You have certainly done your homework and I know those kids will have fun as well as learning about the Father…..
Your blog is wonderful and so full of wisdom. You have done such a good job with the design and pointing all who visit to the Father….
Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting with me today. I appreciate your comments and I hope you will come back for another viisit…..
Kristin says
Loved this! But I’m afraid I don’t love football. I’ve never understood it, and I don’t seem to care to learn. But I have a husband who will be watching it, for sure! I’ll be the one preparing food and then will probably go watch a sappy movie:)
Sounds like your kids are blessed to have you as a teacher!
Blessings on your day tomorrow:)
Kristin
alisa hope says
I love it when people are able to weave spirituality into everyday life. You gave us awesome Scripture to go with each part of the Super Bowl! Yes, people are watching us, we need to feed on God’s Word and His Spirit, and we need to encourage each other! And yes, there are definitely only two teams! There is no in-between.
LaVonne says
I love it!! When I began to teach Sunday School I was painfully reminded that many children from Christian homes lacked cheerleaders. I set aside some time every week for each child to say what they accomplished or failed at and how they would like to do better the next week. The kids eventually picked up on the value of encouragement and did not need me to tell them to cheer each other up.
Louise Ritz says
Thank you so much for making this in KJV it is so hard to find great lessons for SS. Great lessons
Wanda says
Glad you found it helpful. I know I struggled to find lessons when I was teaching Sunday School.