Week 1
1 Corinthians 9:24–25 KJV
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Matthew 24:13 NLT
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Corinthians 9:26–27 NIV
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Luke 9:23–24 KJV
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Philippians 3:13–14 KJV
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 11:6b KJV
For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Matthew 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psalm 34:10 KJV
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Week 2
1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
Psalm 119:103 KJV
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Matthew 4:4 KJV
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Luke 8:43-48
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
Hosea 6:3 NLT
Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Romans 12:12 NLT
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Psalm 55:17 KJV
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Week 3
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Luke 9:23 NKJV
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Week 4
Luke 9:23 NKJV
Jesus says that anyone who wants to follow Him must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him.
Romans 12:1–2 NKJV
Offer your body to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him. Don’t conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can discern God’s will.
1 Peter 1:15–16 NLT
Because God who called you is holy, your life should reflect His holiness in everything you do. Scripture commands God’s people to be holy because He is holy.
Colossians 3:1–2 NKJV
Since you have been raised with Christ, pursue the things that are above, where Christ is. Set your mind on heavenly things rather than earthly things.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV
Every believer will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and receive according to what he or she has done while living in the body.
1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT
Paul explains that he lives with purpose and direction. He isn’t running aimlessly or fighting without a target.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
Paul disciplines his body and brings it under control so that after preaching to others, he himself will not become disqualified.
Luke 6:36–37 KJV
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
Matthew 6:14–15 KJV
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Luke 23:34 NKJV
While being crucified, Jesus asks the Father to forgive those responsible, because they do not know what they are doing.
Acts 7:59–60 NKJV
As Stephen is being stoned, he calls upon Jesus to receive his spirit. Then he asks the Lord not to hold their sin against them.
Romans 12:19–21 KJV
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Luke 6:31–36 KJV
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Matthew 5:43–48 KJV
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Psalm 37:21 NKJV
The wicked borrow and refuse to repay, while the righteous demonstrate mercy and generosity by giving.
Proverbs 12:22 NKJV
Lying is detestable to the Lord, but He delights in people who deal truthfully and faithfully.
Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV
Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord. Remember that your ultimate reward and inheritance come from Christ.
1 Peter 2:12 ESV
Believers should live honorable lives among unbelievers, so others may see their good works and ultimately glorify God.
John 16:13 KJV
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Galatians 5:18 KJV
“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
Romans 8:14 KJV
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NKJV
Paul compares the Christian life to a race. Believers should run with the intention of obtaining the prize and exercise self-control while pursuing an eternal crown.
1 Corinthians 9:23 NLT
Paul says he does everything for the sake of the Good News, so that he can share in its blessings.
Hebrews 13:2 NKJV
Don’t neglect hospitality toward strangers, because some people have unknowingly entertained angels.
2 Timothy 3:12 KJV
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial. After standing the test, that person will receive the crown of life God has promised to those who love Him.
Matthew 5:11–12 NIV
Jesus says you are blessed when people insult, persecute, and falsely accuse you because of Him. Rejoice, because your reward in heaven is great.
Colossians 3:23–24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, knowing that the Lord will ultimately reward you.
Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Because we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we should lay aside every weight and sin that holds us back and run the race God has given us with endurance.