Welcome to our
FUMCR family marathon! We are not only doing this as families who live together, but also as a whole church family. We are joining together to impact the souls of our faith community by getting exercise outside while wearing down the soles of our shoes. Your participation is also helping to grow the faith of others. The proceeds from this marathon will support scholarships for summer camps so that even more souls are encouraged by our FUMCR marathoners. Our marathon mission is that you get your feet moving while also discussing scripture together. Each day offers a scripture passage and discussion questions to help guide your conversation. You have the full 28 days of February to complete 26.2 miles. During this monthlong marathon, we are praying for your faithfulness, your health, and your soles and souls. You get to decide several different things to make this work for you. You can decide if you are running or walking one mile a day, several miles once a week, or dividing the 26.2 miles into larger distances, or even running it all at once as a purist. Whatever you choose to get moving is entirely up to you. We are also hoping that the daily scripture passages and questions will be useful to you. You can read the passage before you begin your chosen distance and then discuss as you are walking, do it all before you get moving, or discuss it after. Whenever you choose to discuss is entirely up to you. If you post on social media, we’d love for you to tag FUMCR with #soletosoul as we encourage and celebrate one another. Or you can also upload your photos to FUMCR.com/SolePics. (continued)
This booklet also includes a distance tracker so that you can keep up with your progress and several ideas for stretches to help keep you safe and get you ready. Finally, we will have a final path for you to follow to complete your last 0.2 miles on campus ending at the Jesus statue in the Walk with Me Garden. By February 17th, you will receive an email with the instructions on finding the pathway to complete your marathon if you would like to end on the FUMCR campus. Once you have completed your marathon, we want to know. Please email Mimi Richards at mrichards@fumcr.com to confirm the t-shirt sizes you or your family will need. The shirts, medals, and stickers will be available for pickup March 7th, Reminders will be included in the email going out by February 17th. Please remember that this is not a race to see who finishes first or fastest. (Even though we might honor both of those.) This is about putting your soles to work to connect the souls that you hold dearest. May you all be blessed as you walk or run and grow in faith together!
Cheryl Bishop, Director of Family Ministry
Mimi Richards, Sports and Rec Coordinator
TRACK YOUR MILES DATE
We see y o w an t to Uploa u in act io d FU M C your p h o n! tos to R.com : or tag /S #sole olePics to so u o n so cial m l edia
DISTANCE
TOTAL
STRETCH P R O T I P : Stretching is a crucial step
M o re each informatio s addit tretch, alo n about ional ng wit fo u n d st at w w retch es, ca h w.spo n tebi.c be om!
before starting any exercise! Stretching helps
loosen your muscles, prevents injury, and can help decrease soreness. Before each walk, choose a few stretches from the list below to get your body ready!
NECK ROLLS Gently roll your next clockwise three times, then repeat counter clockwise.
CALF STRETCH With your arms extended against a wall, extend one leg back and keep the other straight.
HIGH LUNGE STRETCH With one leg extended back and the other bent at a 90 degree angle, lay your torso on the bent knee. Hold for 30 seconds.
CHILD'S POSE STRETCH Sit on your heels, separate your knees, lay your torso down on the ground and stretch your arms out in front of you. Hold for 30-60 seconds. SEATED SIDE BEND Sit comfortably on the ground, reach your right arm up and overhead and lean to your left side. Hold for 15 seconds 3 times then repeat on the other side.
STRETCH TOE TOUCH STRETCH Stand up straight with your feet together with legs straight or with a slight bend. Gently bend at your waist and reach down towards the ground. Hold for 30-60 seconds.
SHOULDER STRETCH Bring one arm across your upper body and hold it straight. Grasp your elbow with your other hand and pull gently towards your chest. Hold for 10-20 seconds then repeat on other side.
QUAD STRETCH Stand with your weight on your right leg, lift your left foot in grass but with your left hand. Full foot toward your butt until you feel the stretch in your quat's. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the right leg.
UPPER BACK STRETCH Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Clasp your hands together with your thumbs pointing down, straighten your arms and around your shoulders as you reach forward. Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds.
BUTTERFLY STRETCH Sit down on the floor and bring both feet together. With the help of your arms, drive your knees down into the floor. Hold a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds and then slowly release.
STRETCH HAMSTRING STRETCH Lie on your back and lift your left leg. Gently pull your side toward your chest until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. Hold the stretch then repeat with the right leg.
NECK STRETCH Stand straight with your feet hip-width apart and tilt your head toward your shoulder, place your hand on your head and gently pull until you feel the stretch in your neck. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds and repeat on the other side. BICEP STRETCH stand straight and clasp your hands behind your back. Straighten your arms and rotate your hands, so your palms face downwards raise your arms and hold for 20 seconds.
OUTER THIGH STRETCH Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Bend your right knee and cross your right leg over your left, place your right hand on the floor, your left hand over your right leg and rotate your upper body to the right. Hold the stretch and repeat on the left side.
DAY 1 READ: 26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” 27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. — GENESIS 1:26-31
DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 2 READ: 14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” — GENESIS 13:14-17 DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 3 READ: 11 I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be their slaves no more; I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. — LEVITICUS 26:11-13 DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 4 READ: 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. — DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 5 READ: 12 So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. — DEUTERONOMY 10:12-13 DISCUSS:
What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 6
Tod A s s o a y ’s s c r C h i c ia t e D ip t u r e N a t l d r e n 's ir e c t o r is a lie M in of fa v o N e n o is t r y , v ic h r it e vers ’ e s
READ: 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
— PSALM 23:1-6 DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 7
Toda y’s F a it h s c r ip t u r e S e n io F o r m a t io is n, r Adu lt s M Jenn en’s Minis and ife r R try , fa v o r a w lin s o n it e v e rse ’s
READ: 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. — PSALM 103:11-12 DISCUSS: What is this passage saying about God? What does this passage mean to me? How does this passage show God’s love for me?
DAY 8 READ: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. — PSALM 119:105-106 DISCUSS:
What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 9
Tod ay ’s Direc scripture tor of is Famil M y Cher inistry, yl B favorit ishop’s e vers e
READ: 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. — PSALM 139:1-14 DISCUSS: What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 10 READ: My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. 3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. — PROVERBS 3:1-8 DISCUSS: What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 11 READ: 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. — ISAIAH 40:28-31 DISCUSS: What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 12 READ: But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. — ISAIAH 43:1-2
DISCUSS: What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 13
Toda y’s the D scripture is Carin irector o Dr. A g Ministr f p r il y, favorit Bristow’s e vers e
READ: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 DISCUSS:
What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 14
Tod a y ’s s WeeChildre criptur n 's a e is k d Che a ryl Wy Kids nd a fa v o in n e n t F ir s t , r it e b v e rs e r g ’s e good;
READ: 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? — MICAH 6:8 DISCUSS: What does this scripture make me think about? If I could ask God ANYTHING about his passage, what would it be? How would I #(hashtag) this verse?
DAY 15 READ: 18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. — MATTHEW 9:18-22 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 16
T Con oday’s s fir m c r ip M e l a t io n C t u r e is a n ie o o rd fa v o J a c k s o in a t o r , r it e v e rs n ’s e
READ: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
— JOHN 14:1-7
DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 17 READ: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. — ACTS 3:1-10 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 18 READ: 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. 11: 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. — 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31- 11:1 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 19
Toda Assoc y’s scriptu re ia Stach te of Fina is nc ia B r o th e e , favorit e vers rs' e
READ: 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. — 1 CORINTHIANS 12:18-20 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 20 READ: 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him — 2 CORINTHIANS 5:5-9 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 21 READ: 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. — GALATIANS 5:22-26 DISCUSS: What does this verse say about me as a Child of God? I wonder… If this scripture was a bumper sticker, what would it say?
DAY 22 READ: 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5: 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God — EPHESIANS 4:31- 5:2 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 23
Toda y’s S u n d s c r ip t u r e ay Sc i ho s C C o u r o o r d in a t o o l tn e y r, fa v o r P e r d u e 's it e v e rse
READ: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — PHILLIPPIANS 4:4-7 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 24
Toda Journ y’s scriptu re e D ir e c y Y o u t h C is to r, Ia h o ir n fa v o r it e v e G ill’s rse
READ: 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. — COLOSSIANS 3:15 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 25
Tod Pasto ay’s scrip tu r an d W o r s r e is Fa R e v . it h F o r m a h ip a n d P a v ie t io n , fa v o r lle J e n k in s ' it e v e rse
READ: 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets — 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18-20 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 26
T Wel oday’s s c L e a d o m in g c r ip t u r e M in i ersh is st ip B e th D e v e lo r ie s a n d p fa v o S m ith ’ m e n t, s r it e vers e
READ: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. — HEBREWS 11:1
DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 27
Tod ay Youth ’s scripture and R Intern/ Sp is ec o rt Mimi Coordinat s o r, R ic h a rd favorit e vers s' e
READ: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. — HEBREWS 12:1-2 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?
DAY 28 READ: 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. — 3 JOHN 2-4 DISCUSS: What more would I like to know about this verse? How can I use my 5 senses to remember this verse? How can I share God’s love, and this verse, with others?