CHAMPIONS FOR CHRIST BUILDING BLOCKS SUMMARY Lesson Plan Guide for August through May August/Think the Right Kind Of Thoughts Champions think thoughts that are positive, correct, big, pure, and unique. Every action begins as a thought, so make sure your thoughts are Godhonoring in every way. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8 September/Say the Right Kind of Words Champions know that the words they speak have tremendous power. Words can heal or hurt, build or tear down. Proper use of words will cause people to think of you as an intelligent, competent, and caring person. But if you use words in the wrong context, are careless when it comes to grammar, or sprinkle your speech with slang, these things are not proper. People will tend to question your integrity. Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 October/Set Specific Goals Write down your goals, make plans to achieve them, and work on your plans every single day. This advice, if you follow it, will be great help to you!. Setting goals and pursuing them takes persistence and self-discipline, but it is well worth the effort. We make it our goal to please Him [God]. 2 Corinthians 5:9
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 November/Take Responsibility for Your Actions Champions don t whine. They don t look for someone or something to blame. Instead, they take responsibility for who they are and strive to do the best - always. If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 December/Choose the Right Kind of Friends Be careful about those you surround yourself with. That is why it is important to have friends who are able to bring out the best in you, who share your belief in Jesus Christ, and who are wise, loyal, and encouraging at all times. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 describes the love that ought to be lived out between friends who share the common bond of faith in Christ: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. January/Remember That Character Counts Champions work on developing these character traits: commitment, honor, attitude, responsibility, courage, truthfulness, ethics, and reputation. John Maxwell states, Character embodies all of who you truly are. It is the inner fiber of your being. It is your inner self in action. It reveals what you are truly made of. It s your substance. Charles Swindoll once wrote, Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are
much quieter. They are the inner tests remaining faithful when nobody s looking; enduring pain when the room is empty; standing alone when you re misunderstood? In everything, do to others that you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12 February/Turn Failures into Strengths Champions understand that failure is an inevitable part of life for anyone who tries to do anything more than stay in bed with the covers pulled up over his or her head. Because they understand that failure is inevitable, champions do everything they can to learn and grow from their mistakes. I don t measure a man s success by how high he climbs but by how high he bounces when he hits bottom. George S. Patton I make more mistakes than anyone else I know, and sooner or later I patent most of them. Thomas Edison In the John 16:33, Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. March/Never Give Up Barbara Bush said of her son George W., Whether you like him or not, he s tenacious. No matter what obstacles seem to be in their way, champions keep on putting one foot in front of the other, heading directly toward their goal. Champions NEVER give up! God wants us to know that we can trust Him in any situation. Our job is to keep on going no matter what obstacles may be in our way. Remember TRUST HIM! Pray for strength. Read and learn from the Scripture promises found in His Word. Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
April/Go the Extra Mile Champions do more than are expected of them. They work harder on the job. They try harder in their relationships. They spend more time trying to develop their God-given talents. They know that a person with a small amount of talent who works very hard will go much further than a person with a great deal of talent who isn t willing to make that extra effort. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:41-42 May/Live by Faith in Jesus Christ As Lutheran Christians, we teach and respond to the love of the Triune God: the Father, Creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God s Word and the Sacraments. The three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God. We accept, believe and teach the three phrases of Grace alone, Faith alone, and Scripture alone. Grace Alone God loves the people of the world, even though we are sinful, rebel against Him and do not deserve His love. He sent Jesus, His Son, to love the unlovable and to save the ungodly. Faith Alone By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people of all time, Jesus purchased and won forgiveness and eternal life for you and for me. Those who hear the Good News and believe it have the eternal life that it offers. God creates faith in Christ and gives us forgiveness through Him. Scripture Alone The Bible is God s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine. Champions choose to believe in and have faith in Jesus Christ. Through this commitment and love for God, they experience the incredible difference that faith makes in their lives. When we live by faith in our Lord and Savior, here are some promises you will discover: o Serving Christ will change everything. o Living by faith is an exciting adventure! You will receive many blessings, opportunities, and even some challenges in your life. Through it all remember that: Ø God is ALWAYS here for you and He will NEVER leave you!
In conclusion, feel comfort in the words Jesus once said, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NLT) Each May, teachers choose one or two students who exhibit the traits of being a Champion for Christ. These students, K 8, are honored with Christian Citizen certificates and pins at an Awards Assembly. Their parents are asked to stand behind them when they are presented with this highest award at Zion. Soli Deo Gloria Information for this series was based on a book written by Pat Williams entitled, Who Wants To Be A Champion? Segments were also taken from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod s website: www.lcms.org Created by Steven Glandorf Faith Formation added by Thomas W Wrege Revised Aug 2017