The Olympic Games began in 776 BC in ancient Greece, specifically in Olympia, a city dedicated to the gods, particularly Zeus. Every four years, athletes from various Greek city-states competed in sports such as running, wrestling, and chariot racing. These games were not only a display of physical prowess but also a means to honor the gods, promote peace between constantly warring city-states, and foster unity among the Greek culture.
Today, the Olympics have evolved into a global event, showcasing athletes from around the world. They symbolize international cooperation, cultural exchange, and the pursuit of excellence. The modern Olympics inspire millions, demonstrating how dedication and hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements. By bringing diverse nations together, the Olympics continue to promote peace and understanding, reflecting the core values of their ancient origins in a contemporary context.
The Greek culture dominated the Roman world during the time of Jesus and the early church. As a Roman citizen, the apostle Paul was educated in Greek philosophy and society, despite being a deeply religious Jew. This allowed him to express the Gospel to all people.
As Christians, the Olympics reflect a heavenly idea where all peoples and nations live as one in submission to Christ. The dignity and cooperation between different groups inspires us, as well. These athletic games have practical and spiritual applications for Jesus followers.
Here are 7 lessons for Christians from the Olympic Games.
1. For the Prize
Olympians train rigorously for years, maintaining unwavering focus on their ultimate goal: winning the gold medal. Similarly, God calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus and the eternal reward awaiting us.
Hebrews 12:1-2 captures this analogy perfectly:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Even though Hebrews was written for Jewish Christians, the author still uses a Greek athletic theme. The writer encourages us to run our spiritual race with perseverance and focus, as Jesus did for his own destiny to sit at the right hand of God after the cross.
Keeping our eyes on the prize means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else. Like athletes who visualize their victory, Christians should constantly remind themselves of the eternal life promised through Christ.
Moreover, this focus provides motivation and strength to endure trials and challenges. Athletes push through pain and fatigue for a temporary goal. Jesus faced the cross knowing the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2), and we find encouragement in the promise of eternal life, knowing our current struggles are temporary compared to the coming glory.
2. Remove All Distractions
Athletes who compete at the highest level do so by eliminating distractions and dedicating themselves entirely to their training and goals. Similarly, Christians are called to live with a singular focus on their faith and relationship with God.
The Bible emphasizes this principle in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where Paul writes,
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 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.”
Paul highlights the importance of discipline, focus, and self-control in our Christian walk.
Removing distractions means identifying and setting aside anything that hinders spiritual growth and commitment to God. This could involve managing time more effectively, prioritizing spiritual activities, and avoiding temptations that lead to sin. These things don’t need to be necessarily sinful, but even good or neutral activities can distract us from a complete dedication to Jesus. Just as athletes forgo certain comforts and pleasures to achieve peak performance, we must be willing to sacrifice for our faith.
3. Discipline and Self-Control
Olympic athletes demonstrate remarkable commitment to their training and goals, showing that achieving greatness requires strict discipline and unwavering self-control. Similarly, Christians are called to embody these virtues in their spiritual lives to grow closer to God and fulfill their divine purpose.
First, Paul lists self-control as a gift of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which means we require the power of God to be disciplined for the goal. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul further explains this gift, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
As any Olympic athlete will tell us, regular discipline isn’t fun in the moment. Physical training tests the body and the mind, going beyond previous limits, breaking us down to grow stronger. The athlete bears the training for a later goal or advantage. God’s discipline does the same. And as a good Father, he wants us to see the reward afterward.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).
For us, first we must learn the discipline of resting in his power and love, allowing Christ to live through us in our everyday actions. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, reading the Bible, and fasting help us learn this. Discipline and self-control enable us to overcome obstacles and grow in our relationship with God. By applying these principles, we can achieve spiritual maturity and fulfill our God-given potential.
4. Endurance in Training
Since training can be extremely difficult, we regularly want to quit. Olympic athletes endure rigorous and prolonged training sessions, pushing their limits to achieve peak performance. This relentless pursuit of excellence through enduring hardship mirrors the spiritual endurance Christ calls us to.
The Bible clearly teaches how we will have obstacles and trials in our faith journey and teaches us the reward of not giving up. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Endurance produces character, and that character goes further to give us hope. Why? Because while in the trial, we keep our mind on the ultimate goal, Jesus.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
And if we do give up for a time, we must not allow a momentary failure to usurp our eternal destiny. We can rest in God’s grace and forgiveness and once again dedicate ourselves to the process of discipline and obeying the Spirit. The Father understands our weakness and willingly restores us.
This endurance also means trusting God’s timing and plan, even when progress seems slow or setbacks occur. Through enduring spiritual training, believers develop maturity and completeness in Christ.
5. Mentorship
Olympic athletes rely on experienced coaches to guide, train, and motivate them toward achieving their goals. In the same way, we benefit immensely from spiritual mentorship, where seasoned believers provide guidance, wisdom, and encouragement in our faith journey. Our first coach is Jesus, the ultimate teacher and example for us. He endured all temptation with victory over sin and death, and his voice constantly empowers us forward in faith.
Second, we find mentors in the church community. Proverbs 27:17 captures the essence of this relationship: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Like athletes improve through the insights and corrections of their coaches, Christians grow spiritually through the guidance and mentorship of mature believers.
Mentorship in the Christian context involves more than just academic teaching; it includes modeling a Christ-centered life, offering accountability, and providing emotional and spiritual support. Paul exemplifies this in his relationship with Timothy, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:2:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Paul not only instructed Timothy, he also equipped him to mentor others, creating a cycle of growth and discipleship.
For Christians, seeking mentorship means humbly recognizing the need for guidance and being open to learning from those who are further along in their spiritual journey. It also involves being willing to mentor others, passing on the knowledge and experience gained.
6. Strive for Excellence
Olympic athletes dedicate themselves to achieving the highest standards in their sport, committing to relentless practice, discipline, and perseverance. My mentor, an accomplished musician, used to tell me, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” To accomplish excellence, the athlete strives for excellence in every moment and practice. Like these Olympians, Scripture calls us to pursue excellence in our spiritual lives and daily conduct, reflecting the glory and character of God.
Colossians 3:23-24 encapsulates this call to excellence:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This passage encourages us to approach every task with wholehearted dedication, aiming to honor God in all we do.
Striving for excellence means putting forth your best effort in your work, relationships, and spiritual practices. It involves being diligent and intentional in studying Scripture, praying, and serving others. Just as athletes push themselves to surpass their limits, Christians should seek to grow continually in their faith and character.
Excellence also means maintaining integrity and high moral standards. Philippians 4:8 advises, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” By focusing on these virtues, we cultivate a life that reflects excellence and honors God.
7. Cultivate Joy in the Process
Living with the end in mind doesn’t mean we dismiss our current situation. On the contrary, every moment becomes an opportunity in the journey toward our eternal destiny. We will quit if we don’t see the joy and hope within each step of the process.
While Olympic athletes endure intense training and face numerous challenges, they often find joy in their progress and the journey toward their goals. Scripture encourages us to embrace joy throughout our spiritual walk.
James 1:2-3 captures this sentiment: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” No one likes hardship. We would avoid it if we could. However, God tells us these trials become opportunities to practice perseverance and ultimately overcome. Knowing God always plans for our good, even within difficulties, allows us to find eternal joy in the temporal.
Cultivating joy involves celebrating small victories, learning from setbacks, and maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook. Just as athletes find joy in personal bests and incremental improvements, we can find joy in spiritual milestones and deepening our relationship with God. This joy becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Ultimately, we find joy in our relationship with God, knowing he joins us in every situation because he loves us. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). By focusing on God's presence and faithfulness, Christians can experience joy regardless of circumstances.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Pierre Crom/Stringer
