WEEK 8- Do Not Lose Heart

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

     16 Therefore, do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any       double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

What does this passage have to say about confidence?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) According to this passage, what things in life do not provide a source of confidence — and are the things on which we should not focus?  Why should you not be discouraged by the things that    happen to you? (v. 18)

2) What truths are a good basis for confidence? (v. 18)  Do you tend to base your confidence on what is seen (circumstances that affect you, opinions of others, etc) or on what is unseen (your faith in Christ)?  Does your confidence last (is it eternal), or does it come and go (is it temporary)?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) What is “spiritual growth,” as described in verses 16-18?  Are you being inwardly renewed day by day?

4) If you’re not sure, what definite steps can you take to be sure that your heart is being challenged and renewed with Godliness every day?  (Read Hebrews 4:12 for one important answer.)

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

5) Are the focus and commitments of your team (your team goals, the  language and means you commonly use to challenge one another, and the manner in which you move toward your goals) a positive            environment for spiritual growth?

6) How can you better encourage one another in that regard?

FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of confidence and pray together.

· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about confidence this week, and to repeat some of those things.  (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about confidence you’ve discussed, if necessary.)

· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about confidence this week...What does a confident athlete do?”  Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of confidence, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.

· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “confident 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 confidence —   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 confidence or anything else), and pray together.