Week 15- Almighty God, Our Leader
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
14 And it will be said:
"Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 I will not accuse forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—
the breath of man that I have created.
17 I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,"
says the Lord. "And I will heal them."
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 57:14-21
What does this passage have to say about leadership?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) We have learned that a leader must first be a servant. In what ways does this passage demonstrate God’s humility in serving His people (v. 14, 15)? What kind of humility was necessary for God to be willing to become man?
2) Verse 16 describes God’s forgiveness. Why does forgiveness require humility? How can you serve your team though this habit? Why is it important for leaders to be forgiving?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
3) We have learned that a leader disciples others. In what way does this passage demonstrate God’s teaching and training of His people (v. 18)? Despite our willful sin, God is willing to do what (v. 18)?
4) When you’re leading others who are intentionally disobedient, what is your natural instinct? Do you yell at them? Do you give up and let them “fend for themselves”? What did God do (v. 18)? God Almighty, who is humble in forgiveness, then is also faithful to teach and restore us. Can you think of one specific way in which you can model His commitment to discipleship?
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
5) We have learned that a leader ministers to others in need. In what way does this passage demonstrate God’s meeting the needs of His people (v. 15, 19)? Why would a holy God choose to take time to “revive the spirit of the lowly” (who was lowly because of his own sinfulness)?
6) Does God’s love for you (yes, you are “the lowly!”) motivate you to love others — to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...to comfort those who mourn” (Isaiah 61:1b, 2b)? Does reading the passage above make you think of someone specific? How can you minister to that person?
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of leadership, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about leadership this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about leadership you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about leadership this week...What does a leader athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of leadership, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “leader 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 leadership — 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 leadership or anything else), and pray together.
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