3 Football Object Lessons for Kids

No matter where you live in the United States, chances are people in your neck of the woods love football. Whether you’re a college fan or follow the NFL the rules of football are pretty basic. Get the ball, move the ball and score some points. These are all concepts that are easy to transfer into a classroom setting–even in kids’ church. Take advantage of the excitement of the football season with these football object lessons.
1. You are part of the team!
You should base this football object lesson on the following verse, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) Line up four children and make a finish line using tape on the floor. Explain to the children that the object of this lesson is to move the ball from the back of the room to the front of the room across the finish line. If anyone drops the ball, they have to start over. Each child has to pass the ball. The children should stand still and pass the ball only. This is a great illustration that shows kids that they belong to a part of a larger team which is the church. We have to work together to accomplish great things.
2. Try, try again.
Many times in the bible, heroes and heroines had to try more than once to achieve a goal. For example, Jesus told a parable about a woman who came before the king over and over until he finally heard her case and gave her justice. This was a parable given to encourage people to pray, many times if necessary. Just like football players in an important game Christians need to be persistent in prayer.
3. Life is like a football game.
You need two or more volunteers for this object lesson. Divide the volunteers into two groups and face them all off on opposing football teams. Put the ball on the floor in between them. Explain to the children that the Christian life requires us to put on our game face, get the ball and face the enemy. Remind your kids that people are not the enemy, it is spiritual opposition that stands against us. The book of Philippians reminds us to push through and persevere, no matter what. Depending on how rowdy your class is, you may or may not decide to run a few plays using a Nerf football.
In the grand scheme of things, football is not too terribly important but it is a sport that many kids are familiar with. That’s a plus when you need an awesome object lesson!