Goal
To help students gain a better understanding of true repentance and God’s forgiveness; and to help students get back on track if they have broken their commitment to saying “no” to alcohol, drugs or tobacco.

Key Scriptures
Luke 22:54-61; Acts 3:19

Warm Up
As the group comes in, ask each person to find one person and share his/her most embarrassing moment in sports. (i.e. dropping a pass in the playoffs, shooting a game-losing airball, etc.).

Watch
Show the Week 9 video — “Failure”

Workout

• Coach Coale joked about not being able to cook. However, she said to do the best in every area of your life. What areas of your life are you doing the best in right now?
• What benefits do we receive athletically when we strive to be the best we can be in every situation?
• Have you ever slacked on a play or not given your best in a game or practice? What was the outcome of that situation?
• Read Colossians 3:23-24. Why do you think Paul said, “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically”?
• Why does our focus change when we strive to do something for the Lord, not for others?
• Serving the Lord in this way brings greater clarity to life.

• Brian confessed to doing steroids earlier in his career. He admitted his mistakes. How hard is it for you to admit when you are wrong or have done something wrong? Do you need to confess a mistake or sin in your life? What is it?
• He talked about spiritual mentors. Who are the spiritual mentors in your life? How are they pouring into your daily life?
• What spiritual battles are you trying to face alone?
• Read Proverbs 27:17 and Eccl. 4:12. Why is it so important to have mature spiritual relationships?
• Who has God put in you life at the right time to encourage you after you made a mistake? What did that mean to you?
• How are you handling your mistakes in life?

Goal
Most memorable classic victories involve a last-second heroic goal, a fourth-quarter interception at the goal line or a game seven, three-point jumper at the buzzer. Is this type of victory exciting? Yes. But certain? Probably not. Those kinds of victories rely on variables of chance in order to record the win. In our Christian experience, Jesus our Champion has already defeated our foe.

Key Verse:

Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive]. Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity.  
Colossians 3:12-14

This is a discussion written for groups of coaches and athletes to help them develop their lives in Christ. It is ideal for a group of very young Christian athletes or coaches. The goal is to help them learn their identity in Christ and to develop spiritual disciplines.

Key Verse:

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Proverbs 12:19-20

Discussion:

• As a young athlete Brian said his career and life were out of control. How easy is it to get out of control in your life? What leads you to living that way?
• Living the dream as a professional athlete, he made baseball his god. What is god in your life right now? How did it get that way?
• How do we get so wrapped up in living for ourselves and not for God?
• Read Isaiah 44:6. How do you need to put this verse into practice in your life?
• Brian confessed to making poor decisions. When you find yourself in that place, how do you get yourself out of it? Where does God fit into that equation?
• What areas of your life are you putting before you relationship with God?

1 – Why is selflessness so important to successful teams?

• Which would be more successful -
• 5 on 5?
• 1 on 5?

2 – Here’s another angle on this question from John 12:24-25 (read the text aloud).

Key Verse:

"Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?" Luke 9:23-25