Read Time: 5 min 23 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade
─────── July 23, 2026 ───────
Happy Thursday!
Your kids will hear about the headlines, whether they’re scrolling online or kicking a ball around with friends at recess. Decaf’s goal is to equip you to help them process what they hear, pointing them to the hope and peace of Christ.
Thanks for discipling your kids diligently, and thanks for bringing us along.
This week’s Decaf is brought to you by this beautiful (and free!) graphic novel about early Christians and the Boys/Girls Life Application Study Bibles.
Today’s story was taken from The Pour Over’s July 20th email and rewritten at a 7th-grade reading level.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I cannot protect my children from my weaknesses. As hard as I may try, at some point my sin will affect their lives. However, the way I deal with my failure can provide an example for them to follow. I am a sinner raising sinners.”
Melissa Kruger
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
SPORTS
Football is Finished
Spain is the king of the soccer world.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time (aka overtime) Sunday in New Jersey for their second-ever World Cup win. It was the most-watched soccer game of all time, with ~60M combined English and Spanish viewers.
After 105 minutes, Ferran Torres finally got a goal past Argentina’s brick wall goalkeeper (watch here). The white and sky blue’s keeper, Emiliano Martínez, set a World Cup final record with 11 saves. Meanwhile, Spain’s defense didn’t allow Argentina to get any shots on goal. And Lionel Messi (sometimes called the GOAT) lost his last World Cup match ever (probably).
The World Cup’s first-ever halftime show featured Shakira, a hallelujahin’ Justin Bieber, Madonna, BTS, Ted Lasso, and the Muppets.
After 104 games of real-life foosball across North America, Spain wasn’t the only winner. France’s Kylian Mbappé walked away with the Golden Boot for the tournament’s most goals (10) and the record for most combined World Cup goals ever (22). And the co-hosting Stars and Stripes won the hearts of many international fans. Road-tripping travelers celebrated American convenience stores, national parks, and… ranch dressing.
___
CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
For many around the globe, the World Cup carries an almost life-and-death importance. Without downplaying that passion, Christians should hold on tight to the fact that the most important things aren’t decided on the pitch. They were secured long ago when Jesus died to give new life and secure a glorious future.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Sports can teach us so much about life in God’s world.
Sports can teach us the line between stewarding our bodies well and destroying them out of pride. They teach us about camaraderie and hospitality as communities come together to enjoy a unifying moment. They teach us the beauty of discipline and working at something even when it's hard. They teach us how to handle victory and failure. And most of all, they teach us that a win will only bring temporary happiness. If we want true joy, we have to find it in something deeper and eternal: Jesus Christ.
How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
By keeping the big things big and the small things small.
Wins (or losses) in sports can feel monumental, especially when the stage is big. It’s okay for these eternally insignificant things to be compelling for a season, but don’t let them ruin your week, puff up your pride, or consume your conversations and thoughts. Fix your eyes on the God of the Universe and allow Him to win your affections (Colossians 3:1-3). Remember that Spain’s win won’t change your Monday morning, but Christ’s sacrifice has changed your entire life. That’s the kind of hope worth living for.
READ | REFLECT | RESPOND
Discuss: How are you tempted to react when you’re losing or when you’re winning a game? How can you give glory to Christ in moments as small as playing a game of Monopoly or flag football?
Memorize: 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown” (CSB).
Pray that you and your family would cheer first and foremost for Christ and his victory: God our Creator, protect us from performing as if the masterful excellence on the pitch mirrors the requirements of Your team, which recruits not the practiced, the impressive, the GOATs. You’re assembling all the weak, unskilled, foolish, and powerless who admit to never having won a single game against our cosmic opponent. Holy Spirit, while we enjoy these games, train our eyes on Jesus, who wins a victory that’s final, who takes the top spot on the podium, and who won’t be unseated by any challengers in this season or the next, forever. Amen.
CREAM AND SUGAR
Gen Z Word of the Week: Is your screen time getting a little out of control this week? You might need to go touch grass.
Family Fun: See how well your kids can follow instructions with the Dolphin Training Challenge.
Whipped Cream on Top: Wakin’ up from a good night’s sleep like…
RECOMMENDED
What We’re Adding to Our Families’ Libraries
This free book from VOM*
It’s easy to tell kids following Jesus requires sacrifice, but it’s much more impactful to show them what that means.
Voices of the Martyrs is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that brings to life true stories of early Christians from A.D. 34 to 203. They weren’t superheroes or fanatics… just ordinary people with extraordinary love for Christ who will encourage kids to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
This faith-building book helps your family learn together, from Christians of the past, how to stand firm today.
Request your free physical copy of Voices of the Martyrs while supplies last!
How Our Kids Are Studying Scripture
With the Boys/Girls Life Application Study Bibles*
Is your kid ready for their first study Bible? These editions are built specifically for preteens, and they’re prettttty great.
Using the easy-to-understand New Living Translation, each Bible includes 800+ Life Application notes that explain passages and show kids how to apply them. The content and design are tailored to the distinct challenges boys and girls face—with features like “What Now?” that walk through real-life decisions with relevant Scripture, “Is It Ok?” to address the questions actually on kids’ minds, and “I Survived” to share stories from older teens who’ve faced relatable challenges.
Grab a boys’ or girls’ edition for the young one in your life today!
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