Wired Word Lesson of the Week

The Wired Word

Topic for Sunday, February 22, 2026:

Athletes Take Their Faith to the Winter Olympics: Since the Winter Olympics have almost concluded, this week’s Wired Word will focus on the role of religion in athletic achievement, the link between faith and fitness, and the question of what it means to glorify God.

In the News

Individuals are encouraged to read the news below related to this topic before the February 22nd bible study to be prepared for an engaging conversation:

The 2026 Winter Olympics have begun in Milan Cortina, with a wide range of events including bobsled, skeleton, biathlon, hockey, skiing, speed skating, figure skating and curling. The Olympics are a celebration of physical excellence, national pride, perseverance and determination, and many athletes rely on their faith to help them face the challenges of the events.

"Religion can offer athletes a framework for resilience," notes Religion Unplugged, "especially in a world defined by so much pressure and scrutiny. Some Olympians have spoken openly about prayer and rituals as main sources of strength." Faith and spirituality play an important role in the manner in which they train and compete.

Elana Meyers Taylor is a bobsledder representing the United States, and is also a practicing Christian. "God put me here for a specific reason, and I don't think it's just to win medals," she said. "At the end of the day, I'm in this sport to glorify God, so if that means I come in last place, or I win the gold medal, that's what I'm going to do."

Taylor's partner in the two-woman bobsled is Jadin O’Brien, a three-time track and field national champion for the University of Notre Dame. According to America, she relied on her Catholic faith to help her through a struggle with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, a condition that she faced in childhood. O'Brien has said that her faith keeps her calm before and during big meets. "Athletics has helped build my faith by putting me in situations where I can put what I believe into practice."

Adam "A.J." Edelman was born in the United States, but he competes for Israel in skeleton and bobsled. Edelman is the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics. "I think a lot of Jews use observance as an excuse," he said. "A lot of chess tournaments are held on [the Jewish Sabbath], yet we do have quite a few chess players." For him, observance of Jewish laws and rituals does not prevent him from competing at a very high level.

American Paul Schommer competes in the biathlon -- a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. He believes that his relationship with Christ has sustained him at every level of athletic competition. "The biggest thing I've learned is just the faithfulness of God always coming through," he said. "Without feeling called and led by God, there would be a good chance I would've quit right after I first started the biathlon."

Jaccob Slavin plays for the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and is a returning member of the United States Hockey Team. He was raised in a Christian home and has talked about how his faith shapes his conduct both on and off the ice. Outside of the Olympics, he and his wife are active in Christian adoption advocacy. Speed skater Brittany Bowe of the United States has talked about her Christian beliefs in public and has credited her faith during her comeback from injury. Katie Uhlaender, a member of Team USA in skeleton, has competed in five Olympic Games. "She has spoken about her Christian beliefs in past interviews," reports Jubileecast, "especially in relation to recovering from injuries and coping with the loss of her father."

Adherents of other religions believe that their faith is equally important. Another athlete, skier Eileen Gu, was born in the United States and now competes for China in the halfpipe, slopestyle and big air events.  "I recently converted to Buddhism." she said. "I'm working on letting go of a sense of self." Alpine skier Arif Khan represents India, and is a Muslim who lives in a Hindu-majority nation. He wants to succeed so that he can have a positive impact on the young people of his home region. He said that his dream has always been to "inspire them toward their own goals."

"The Olympic Games are a showcase for exceptional athletes to demonstrate how their commitment to achieving excellence through hard work and effort bears fruit in their respective sports," writes Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki, who is a hockey goalie and marathon runner. The games remind him that greatness is never achieved without sacrifice, discipline and perseverance. "When we apply the principles of sport -- faithful practice, obedience to the rules, resilience after failure, self-control, discipline and trust in a greater goal -- to our spiritual lives, then our discipleship is strengthened and our soul is made stronger and better prepared to meet God." 

More on this story can be found at this link:

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