Read Time: 4 min 44 sec | Reading Level: 8th Grade

SPORTS

Sports Sports Sports

Fans around the world have been cheering on athletes from the grass to the ice this week.

Stateside on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks swooped to victory in Super Bowl LX (60). The game started as a bit of a yawn, with no touchdowns in the first three quarters. Ultimately, Seattle’s defense stood out, forcing eight punts and six sacks and even scoring a touchdown. The game ended 29-13, and Kenneth Walker III became the first running back to win MVP in 28 years.

Celebrities were all over the commercials (watch some of the best and worst ads here) and the halftime stage. Puerto Rican pop star Bad Bunny sang (almost) completely in Spanish and transformed the field into Little San Juan (see photos here). Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joined in, and a couple got married during the show! Meanwhile, TPUSA’s alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock drew 6.1M live viewers on YouTube. 

But the weekend wasn’t all about football. The opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics began Friday in Northern Italy. Team USA is sitting in third place in the overall medal count after 5 days of sport on all kinds of frozen water.

On the snow, Alpine skiing veteran Lindsey Vonn crashed just 13 seconds into the women’s downhill final. Medics airlifted her off the mountain with a broken leg, and her fellow American, Breezy Johnson, took home gold. Americans also medaled in men’s cross-country skiing, men’s and women’s freestyle skiing, and women’s team skiing.

On the ice, “Quad God” Ilia Malinin landed the first legal Olympics backflip in 50 years (watch here). Team USA won figure skating team gold, plus medals in doubles curling and women’s luge.

Today at 12:30 p.m., snowboarders will carve toward the podium in women’s halfpipe finals. And Friday at noon, Ilia Malinin will spin for gold in the men’s figure skating finals. Watch here.  

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Whether you feel like you can’t get past life’s defense or you’re topping the podium, Jesus gives believers reason to be content—and even rejoice! There may be bad days ahead, but there are even more good ones coming in the kingdom of Jesus. Meanwhile, He offers us his presence, power, and peace. 

“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the LORD; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the LORD’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.”
Psalm 34:1-3 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
With sports streaming 24/7, it’s easy to get hooked and lose sight of what’s right in front of us. 

Sports are fun, but an overdose will lead to tough withdrawal. Parents have an opportunity to set healthy boundaries around streaming to set our kids up for success, keeping the big things big and the small things small.

But the goal is not just less sports viewing. It’s more Jesus. Replacing lesser things with weightier things will help train our kids (and us!!) to keep our affections on Jesus, allow hobbies to be hobbies, and focus on our mission of loving God and our neighbors (Matthew 22:34-40; Hebrews 12:2).

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Gratefulness for everyday gifts.

Major cultural events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics have a way of bringing loved ones—and even entire countries—together. Whether you’re enjoying sports with friends and family, turning off the coverage for moments of rest, or unplugged from sports altogether, it’s worth pausing to thank God for the ordinary gifts of friendship and food and fun that we easily overlook:

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe… Let them give thanks to the LORD for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity. Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices and announce his works with shouts of joy” (Psalm 107:1-2, 21-22 CSB).

• Add gratitude to your family conversation habits. Around the dinner table or on the way home from school, share a part of your day that was challenging and something you’re grateful for.
   

• Memorize Psalm 107:1-2 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that he has redeemed them” (CSB).
   

• Pray for wisdom to set healthy boundaries around sports (and other) streaming in your home, and pray that the Lord would grow your love for Him so that it eclipses lesser things.

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Z Word of the Week: The Blade Angels ate and left no crumbs.

Family Fun: Sing “Turn Your Eyes” as a family. If you have a musician, ask them to lead you.

Whipped Cream on Top: Ripples on a frozen lake...

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