Below is a series of discussions I just completed with student-athletes at our university. They engaged deeply in these discussions and seemed to be genuinely challenged and encouraged. I hope it is of value to you and your ministry.
Pursuing Our Life’s Purpose as Sportspeople
Inductive Bible Study + Discussion of Applications to Life in Sport
Life Purpose and Identity 1 and 2
Pursuing God’s Will – 1 and 2
Pursuing God-Honoring Relationships
Pursuing Fulfillment and Joy
Pursuing God’s Will in Life Transitions
Pursuing Wise Choices
Life Purpose and Identity - 1
Ephesians 1:3-6
Chosen
Adopted
By His will and grace
Ephesians 1:7-14
Redeemed and forgiven
Obtained an inheritance
Believed the Gospel – salvation - sealed
Ephesians 2:1-10
Were dead in sin
God mercifully saved us
We are His workmanship
Application:
Which of the truths above are diminished by our sport performances?
Which of these truths are enhanced by our sport performances?
How would a firm grasp on these change your mindset as you train and compete?
Life Purpose and Identity - 2
Romans 5:1
Justified by faith (declared righteous)
Have peace with God
Through Christ
Romans 5:8-9
God demonstrates His love
While we were rebellious toward Him
Christ died for us
Application:
How would knowing that you are “declared righteous” by God affect your self-image following a poor performance?
How about after a stellar, best-of-your-career performance?
When do you really feel the peace with God mentioned in Romans 5:1?
What could happen that would destroy that peace and produce fear, doubt or confusion in your heart?
Pursuing God’s Will – 1 (It’s Real!)
Romans 8:26-32
How does God lead us toward His will?
What is stated as being His will for us?
Who is the primary agent in the fulfillment of His will?
Philippians 1:6
What is the good work which has begun in us?
When is it fully accomplished?
Acts 13:36
When did King David die?
What was accomplished before his death?
What was accomplished before his death?
What could be God’s purposes for our lives?
I Thessalonians 5:24
Who is faithful?
Who does the calling?
Who brings it to pass?
Application:
How much progress do you perceive that you’ve made toward conforming to the image of Christ?
How is sport involved in the fulfillment of God’s purposes in your life?
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in His calling on your life in sport?
Pursuing God’s Will – 2 (The Process of Pursuit)
Psalm 37:3-6
Delight yourself
Commit yourself
He does it
Psalm 32:8
Who instructs and guides?
Who guides?
What is our role?
Proverbs 16:3, 16:9, 20:24
Commit – plans fulfilled
Plan – direction given
Direction given – understanding not guaranteed
Jeremiah 29:11
God’s plans are for: _________?
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to God and He will ____________?
Application:
What have we discovered as being parts of the process in pursuing God’s will?
What and who can be helpful in our pursuit of God’s will?
Pursuing God-Honoring Relationships
The Great Commandment - Mark 12:30-31
Love God – how?
Love people – how?
Why not the same standard?
Relationship with God –
John 15:1-5
Remain (abide) in Christ. How?
John 15:12-15
What is our relationship to Jesus?
John16:13-15
What does the Spirit do?
John 17:20-23
For whom is Jesus praying? Where is He?
Relationship with the Church –
Ephesians 4:1-6
What is Paul’s primary emphasis in these verses?
Ephesians 4:25-29
What words here describe how we should relate to each other in the Church?
Ephesians 4:30-32
What are some characteristics listed here for God-honoring relationships in the Church?
Relationship with One’s Family (Parents, Spouse, Children) –
Ephesians 5:21-24
What does it mean to be subject to one another? (To place oneself in rank under another.)
Ephesians 5:25-33
Why is the charge given to husbands different from the charge given to wives?
Ephesians 6:1-4
Have you experienced the promised reward from honoring your father and mother? Tell us about it, either way.
What do parents do which exasperates their children?
Relationships with Teammates and Friends –
John 13:34-35
What does Jesus say is the identifying mark of His followers?
I John 4:7-11
From where do we obtain the ability to love our teammates and friends?
I John 4:19-21
Tell us about someone who said he or she loved God, but didn’t love his teammates and friends, thus invalidating his or her supposed faith.
Application:
What are the main ideas which characterize all these relationships?
Which of these relationships do you find to be the easiest in honoring God? Why?
Which do you find most difficult? Why?
Pursuing Fulfillment and Joy
Ecclesiastes 2:1-26
• What are some of the ways the author tried to find fulfillment?
• How successful was he? Why?
Acts 13:36
What was the nature of fulfillment in King David’s life?
How is this similar to or different from today’s concept of personal fulfillment?
II Timothy 4:5
What was the nature of fulfillment which Paul emphasized for Timothy?
How is this similar to or different from today’s concept of personal fulfillment?
Psalm 16:11
Where is joy to be found?
Where is pleasure to be found?
John 15:9-11
In what are we called to remain?
How do we remain in Christ’s love?
How do we obtain His joy and how does our joy become complete?
Application:
What parts of your life in sport provide you with a sense of fulfillment and/or joy?
How enduring is that sense of fulfillment and/or joy? What limits it?
What in your life in Christ provides joy and fulfillment?
How enduring is that sense of fulfillment and joy?
Is there a way to integrate your life in sport with your life in Christ so as to find joy and fulfillment in both simultaneously? If so, how?
Pursuing God’s Will in Life Transitions
What sorts of transitions have you experienced to date?
High School to college sport and academics
Living at home with parents to living more independently in a dorm or an apartment
Playing for fun to playing to perform
1. What are the transitions in life you anticipate to encounter in the next year or two?
Competitive sport to retired from sport
Single to engaged
Engaged to formerly engaged
Engaged to married
Married couple to parents
College student to career person
Collegiate sport to professional sport
2. Life transitions in the Bible.
Jesus’ life transitions:
Luke 2:46-52
Luke 3:21-23a
Luke 4:1-2, 13-15
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 23:33-43
Life transitions in the Song of Solomon:
Song of Solomon 2:16
Song of Solomon 6:3
Song of Solomon 7:10
Life transitions for the Apostle Paul:
Acts 20:17-38
II Timothy 4:6-22
Application: Among the answers shared in our group were these:
These people did not panic.
They were not focused on themselves.
They were mindful to care for others.
Pursuing Wise Choices (You are Free!)
As a percentage, 0 being absolutely petrified and 100 being absolutely liberated, how free do you feel to make decisions?
• Big life decisions re: school, career, relationships, purchases, etc…
• Day to day decisions re: purchases, friends, activities, etc…
• Galatians 5:1 and 13
You are free from what?
You are free to what?
• Westminster Shorter Cathecism – “Q. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
How would one use this simple idea to assist decision making?
• Romans 8:1-2
How much condemnation is appropriate for those in Christ?
If He does not condemn us, who will?
What’s the difference between condemnation and conviction?
Who is the author of any condemnation you experience?
Who is the author of conviction in your heart?
• Romans 6:12-15
How does our freedom in Christ express itself in our bodies?
What is the difference between freedom and license?
Which do we have, absolute license or responsible freedom? What does that look like in your daily life?
• Romans 8:6-17
How do you hear Christ’s voice in the process of making decisions?
How do you perceive His guidance? Make a list of ways He leads.
Which of these do you trust most strongly?
How do they work together to give our lives guidance?
Application:
Seek God’s will.
Use your mind. “Jesus died to take away your sins, not your brains.” Cliffe Knectle
Choose wisely and freely.
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