WEEK 2- Feeble Arms and Weak Knees

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

   1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

   4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:  "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

   7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:1-13

What does this passage have to say about accountability?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) What instruction are you given (v. 1), in order that you will be able to live in the way God intends?  What hinders or entangles you?  What things do you need to “throw off”?

2) But...how?  Haven’t you been struggling with some of these things for a long time?  How can you possibly throw them off, even with all your might?  What solution do verses 2 and 3 provide?  Why will that help?

3) When we begin to understand accountability to be the habit of “fixing our eyes on Jesus”, considering all He has done for us, and then taking encouragement from that as we live; we see that “being accountable” is truly living in a right relationship with God.  Why would Christ (who was holy and perfect) die, simply to make us (who were enemies to Him) able to have a right relationship with Him?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

4) In what area of your life have you struggled with sin (bad habits, negative attitudes, etc)?  What means has God used to hold you accountable?  Why should this encourage you (v. 5-6)?

5) What does a godly father hope to accomplish by disciplining his children (holding them accountable)?  What does God hope to accomplish in you (v. 10-11)?  Are you taking the steps to honor His discipline and live in accord with His desires?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

6) What bad habits and negative attitudes are affecting your ability to grow and excel as an athlete?  Have you submitted yourself to accountability for these thoughts and behaviors?  What is your attitude toward correction and discipline in these areas?

7) Are you willing to seek out and endure discipline in order to realize the promise of verse 12 — strength for your feeble arms and weak knees, level paths for your feet, and healing?

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.