Week 1- The Calling

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

   14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

   20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 Ephesians 3:14-21

 What does this passage have to say about integrity?

Why is that important?

 TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) Before whom do we kneel (v. 14), and what is our reason for praying to Him (v. 16, 17)?

2) Therefore, our purpose (what we strive for) should be Christ’s dwelling in our hearts.  How much does this matter to you?  What things aid you in being “strengthened in power” (v. 16)?  What are some things in your life that commonly distract you from this pursuit?  As an athlete, is your relationship with Christ your primary goal and motivation?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) This passage calls us to something great.  What words or phrases are used to express what we are called to? (whole family, glorious riches, inner being, Christ may dwell, wide / long / high / deep love, surpasses, fullness of God)  What thoughts come to mind when you hear each of these words or phrases?  What do they mean?  Can you grasp the greatness and awesomeness of what God is calling you to?

4) Just as God is calling you into a relationship that is so much more than ordinary, he calls you to live and serve in a way that is not ordinary.  As an athlete, are you content with mediocrity, or do you desire to be excellent in what you do?  How does your relationship with Christ motivate you?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

NOTE:  Coaches, you’ll need to make a photocopy of today’s activity for each of your players, in order for them to have the following passage (prayer) in front of them.

5) Split up into partners and pray the following prayer for each other. (v. 16-21).  Fill in each others’ names as you pray, so you can grasp the fact that Christ is calling you to this.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen  ______ with power through His Spirit in _______’s inner being, so that Christ may dwell in _____’s heart through faith.  And I pray that _____ , being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that _____ may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all _____ asks or imagines, according to His power that is at work with in _____, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”

FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of integrity, and pray together.

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

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

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