Week 15- In the End, Praise the Lord

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

   10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

   14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.    16 O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.      19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”

   20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the Lord and the king.

1 Chronicles 29:10-20

What does this passage have to say about integrity?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) This prayer of David (which occurred upon Solomon’s anointing as king, and near the end of David’s life) expresses David’s humility, even in his great plans for the building of the temple.  What does David recognize about the peoples’ efforts in building and presenting a temple (v. 14, 16)? 

2) Why does God give us abilities and make us able to accomplish work, if we’re only returning to Him what was His to begin with?  If He doesn’t need us to accomplish anything, why does He allow us to be a part of His plan?  What does this reveal about His purpose and desire?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) According to verse 17, who is the only one who can judge the intents of our actions?  Who is pleased with integrity?

4) David recognizes true integrity in his own life and the lives of the people (v. 17).  What is his reaction, upon realizing that (v. 20)?

5) Are you thankful for the blessings that have come to your team?  Do you “bow low and fall prostrate before the Lord” because of His goodness, or do you feel that you deserve these good things?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

6) Now that you have come to the end of your season, for what will you praise the Lord?  How have you seen integrity displayed on your team?  Share specific instances.  Follow David’s example and cry out in praise to God for allowing you to follow in His ways.

7) For did David ask God to do (v. 18-19)?  Will you continue to pray for you teammates after the season is over?  Do you care about the younger players who will continue the work of your team, in years ahead?  Pray that God will “keep this desire in their hearts” and “keep their hearts loyal to Him.”  Pray for their “wholehearted devotion” in pursing a relationship with Him, and for their commitment to understanding and engaging in athletics in the light of that relationship.  Praise God for His wonders, and thank Him for allowing you to serve Him this season.  Pray for the future of your seniors as they move on.  Pray for the future of your school.

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.