Everyone loves a good underdog story. Whether it’s David vs. Goliath or the “Miracle on Ice,” it’s easy to root for disadvantaged heroes who overcome the odds to find triumph. It’s one of the reasons I love the movie Rocky so much. Can anything take its title as the best modern-day underdog movie? I challenge you to name a better one!
It’s one of those movies that even if you haven’t seen it you know it through cultural osmosis. I dare you right now to not hum it’s theme song. See, told you. Even if you haven’t seen it you know it. Perhaps my favorite scene happens near the end and lasts less than three minutes. But boy, what an awesome three minutes of pure cinema! I’m talking about the training montage, the scene where Rocky (finally unencumbered by the obstacles in his life) sets about the task of full, 100%, no-holds-barred training. It’s a crescendo of action that begins with an early morning jog through the slums, then onto the gym where he’s pummeled and put through the ringer by his rough-hewn coaches. It shows him punching slabs of beef in a meat locker and then ends with him racing full speed up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in triumph. And behind it all is that soaring, exhilarating score by Bill Conti (which we’ve already established you know). I dare you to watch that scene and not be inspired.
And then there’s Rocky’s opponent, Apollo Creed. He's the reigning world champion, and is probably the better athlete when prepared and in shape. I’ll say that again: when prepared and in shape. Because when it comes to fighting Rocky he is so overconfident in his abilities that he becomes complacent in his training and discipline. Apollo doesn’t have a training montage in this movie because he doesn’t train. I won’t spoil it for you, but can you guess how that goes for him? For as much as Rocky is an underdog story, it's also a story about the dangers of complacency - of being unprepared.
As Christians we need to be prepared. But what, exactly, are we preparing for? For starters, we face an opponent far more dangerous than Apollo Creed. 1 Peter 5:8 says this: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (NLT). When it comes to Satan the “gloves are off.” His purpose, as Jesus puts it in John 10:10, is “to steal and kill and destroy.” If you know there’s someone out there trying to do those things to you, shouldn’t you be prepared for when they come knocking?
We also need to be prepared for the day of the Lord’s return. Pause here and read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The day described here is going to be an awesome day…if you’re prepared for it. If it catches you by surprise, then you might end up feeling like Apollo Creed when he realizes Rocky isn’t the pushover he thought he was.
So who are you more like when it comes to being prepared? Are you the diligent one who doesn’t take the win for granted? Or are you so assured and confident that you’ve let your guard down and fallen asleep?
As much as I love the training montage scene in Rocky, I think it’s important to note its deceptiveness. It takes a significant amount of time, effort and pain and neatly compresses it into a short, inspirational scene. Real life is never that way. “Being ready” doesn’t come with an awesome soundtrack, doesn’t have a cheering audience, and most certainty can’t be done in less than three minutes. It’s not the stuff of movies. It is a hard, lifelong pursuit filled with ups and downs, often trying, even mundane. But the reward? Totally worth it.
So…
Are you ready to stand strong against the attacks of Satan?
And are you ready for the day of the Lord’s return?
© Jeremy Kirkpatrick, 2026
Other questions:
As a Christian, what does it look like to be prepared? What areas in your life could use “training up?”
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. This passage talks about the armour we can put on to resist the enemy and stand strong. How are you building up your armour? Do you have any personal experience in using the things mentioned in this passage to resist Satan?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11. How are you living this out in your faith community? Is there anyone in your life right now who can use your encouragement?
Worship Together:
Only A Boy Named David
Run Devil Run - David Crowder
Battle Belongs - Phil Wickham
Craft:
Supplies: scissors, glue stick, coloring utensils
Prep:
Print the attached photos. For young children, pre-cut out the pieces of armor.
Cut and glue the pieces of armor onto the person. With each piece, discuss Ephesians
6 and the questions found at the end of the lesson.
