WEEK 10- Hold Them in the Highest Regard
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, 16 to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
1 Corinthians 16:15-18
3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions.
Galatians 6:3-4a
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2
23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth
2 Timothy 2:23-25
What does this passage have to say about accountability?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) What danger does accountability help a person to avoid (Galatians 6:3-4a)? In what areas of life have you been deceived by “thinking yourself something when you are nothing”? How have you done this as an athlete?
2) A wise person realizes that he cannot provide full accountability for himself. (He cannot make or keep himself in right relationship with God.) When you struggle to truthfully and realistically examine your own habits and attitudes, what other form of accountability (relationship) does God command you to seek out (1 Corinthians 16:15-17)? What blessing is a result of submitting yourself to godly accountability (v. 18)? To whom have you made yourself accountable — submitting yourself humbly for correction, instruction, and encouragement?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
3) God provides certain authorities to provide accountability in our lives. What people has God placed in a position of authority over you (1 Thessalonians 5:12)? Do you respect them (v. 12) and “hold them in the highest regard” (v. 13)? Do you encourage them and thank them “because of their work” in your life (v. 13)?
4) 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 and 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 both mention the admirable work habits of the people whom God places in authority over others. Identify a godly teammate that practices good work habits; commit yourself to watching, listening to, and following the example of that person.
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
5) Are you accountable to referees / officials? Does this submission to which you’re called apply to them (Romans 13:1-2)? Do you respond to officials respectfully — even when they correct or admonish you? Do you speak to others about the officials in a manner that “holds them in the highest regard because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)? (Coaches, this applies to you, too!)
6) Players and coaches aren’t always going to agree with the judgment of the officials. How can the wisdom of 2 Timothy 2:23 guide your reaction when you disagree with an official? If there is cause for a coach or captain to discuss an issue with an official, how should he interact with the official? (Verses 24 and 25 provide some general counsel about relationships that is helpful in this situation, even though the context is different.)
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of accountability, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about accountability this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about accountability you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about accountability this week...What does an accountable athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of accountability, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “accountable athlete”, and be sure the list is displayed somewhere that is constantly visible, as a reminder to the team.
· Pray together as a team. Encourage your athletes to pray for your team’s growth in regard to the discipline of accountability — especially in relation to some of the issues and challenges that you discussed together this week. Challenge them to also ask for forgiveness, when applicable. Give time for athletes to request prayer (regarding accountability or anything else), and pray together.
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