Week 10- True Honor vs. False Honor, Part I
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
1 Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. 3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips — who is our master?" 5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the Lord. "I will protect them from those who malign them." 6 And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 7 O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. 8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
Psalm 12
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalm 15:1-5
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1-4
What does this passage have to say about honor?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) The arena of athletics is a sector of our culture that often honors individuals for the wrong reasons. How is the vile person of Psalm 12 treated by others (v. 8)? What is the result when ungodly behavior is “honored by men” (v. 8)?
2) Do “the wicked freely strut about” in the culture of popular athletics? What qualities of the ungodly man (v. 1-4) are common in many of today’s popular athletes? Does our culture honor athletes who believe they have no master but themselves (v. 4)? Why do many fans admire athletes who possess that that attitude?
3) Do “the wicked freely strut about” on your own team? Do you see any of these attitudes at work in yourself? Is your team atmosphere marked by the “oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy” (v. 5)?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
4) Why is this habit of honoring ungodly behavior so foolish (Psalm 12:5)? How do the words of the flattering man compare to those of God (v. 1, 6)? Which is more worthy of honor?
5) What kind of man is worthy of honor (Psalm 15:1-5)? Do you know anyone “whose walk in blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart” (v. 2)? Is there any person who “has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong” (v. 3)? Is it possible for a person to deserve honor? What, then, is the way for a man’s way to be made flawless? (Remember the lesson from Psalm 12. Who is flawless?)
6) If you have a right relationship with Christ, what replaces your own sinful nature? How does a righteous man treat others (Psalm 15:4-5)? Do you honor your team’s godly leaders? Do you remain faithful to your teammates, even when it causes you difficulty or inconvenience?
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
7) Proverbs 3 provides instructions to help a person learn how to honor God. What are some of the habits and qualities that should mark your life, if you seek to honor God (v. 1-3)? How can an athlete demonstrate love? How can an athlete demonstrate faithfulness?
8) What people do you know who honor God? Consider whether or not the world honors these people. What rewards motivate an honorable person (Psalm 15:5, Proverbs 3:4)?
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of honor, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about honor this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about honor you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about honor this week...What does an honorable athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of an honorable athlete, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “honorable 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 honor — 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 honor or anything else), and pray together.
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