Week 12 - Promises of a Teachable Spirit

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

     7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

     14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:7-11, 14

What does this passage have to say about a teachable spirit?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

This passage teaches us about the qualities of God’s Word and the purposes that it accomplishes.

1) Read verses 7-11, and pick out all of the words that describe God’s Word.  Do you tend to describe instruction in these words — perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, sure, righteous, precious, and sweet?  If you wouldn’t use these words, how is your attitude toward instruction flawed?

2) Read verses 7-11 again, and pick out all the phrases that explain what God’s Word accomplishes.  Does instruction typically revive you, make you wise, give you joy, help you to see things clearly, stay with you forever, and warn you?  If you are not receiving these promised benefits of instruction, what does that say about your response to instruction?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) Do you get excited about reading the Bible?  How does verse 10 describe God’s Word?  Could it be that we don’t appreciate His Word as we should, because we haven’t yet understood the promises given for listening and following its instruction?  How has your life changed because of reading God’s Word?  Do you expect to gain something of value when you read Scripture, or do you do it as a “duty” or daily “task” you need to accomplish?  How could God’s Word have a more significant impact on you if you committed time to reading it, considering it, and trusting and applying its teaching?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

4) As you study God’s Word as a team, what is your attitude?  How consistently do you listen and participate in discussion?  Have you ever asked God to make you more teachable and to excite you with His Word?  What impact does Scripture seem to have on coaches and teammates who demonstrate a desire to be taught?

5) Do you have the attitude of the psalmist in verse 14 — “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”?  Do the activities of your team reflect that commitment?  Do your times of team prayer reflect a genuine desire to please God?  How can your coaches and teammates encourage you in that pursuit?  How can you encourage them?

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

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

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

· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “teachable 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 a teachable spirit — 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 teachability or anything else), and pray together.