Goal
Athletes need to realize that it must begin with faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord alone is able to forgive. They must have the wisdom to make the right decisions and have the strength to carry those decisions out. Athletes will be presented with the claims of Jesus Christ and will be challenged to make Him the Lord and Savior of their lives.
Key Scriptures
Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 12:2-3; Galatians 2:20; James 2:17-19
Warm Up
Blindfold a student-volunteer and move away from him with a “prize” in your hands. Tell the rest of the group to begin shouting instructions on how the blindfolded student can walk to you — as loudly as they can, all at the same time. Next, invite another student to come alongside the blindfolded student, not touching, but quietly directing him toward you. Discuss how this experience relates to our faith in God and following only Him.
Watch
Show the Week 2 video — “Faith”
Workout
There is a story of a tightrope walker who tied his rope across a waterfall and then asked the crowd that gathered if they believed he could walk across. “Yes!” they yelled, and he did. He then asked how many believed he could walk across the falls on the rope pushing a wheelbarrow. “Yes, you can do it!” they screamed, and he did. He then asked how many believed he could do the same thing, but this time with a person in the wheelbarrow. “Oh Yes! I believe it!” they exclaimed. Then he asked, “Which one of you will be that person?” No one responded.
Faith is more than saying, “I believe.” To believe in what you can see requires no faith. But to be convinced that what you cannot see is real, and to have as much confidence in its reality as you do in what you can see, hear, taste, touch and smell is genuine faith. It is having the confidence to get in the wheelbarrow and trust the one pushing. Faith is being willing to act on belief. Do you live by faith in God? Have you put your full confidence in Him, trusting all results in every area of life to Him? Or do you say you trust Him and then refuse to get in the wheelbarrow? Do you instead try to control things on your own?
Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It lists example after example of men and women who took God at His Word, no questions asked, and trusted Him with the results.
Faith goes beyond reason. It believes without understanding why. It sings in prison (Acts 16:25). It sees personal struggles as opportunities (Romans 5:3). It chooses to suffer hardships (Hebrews 11:25). It believes that all things (good and bad) work together for good to make us more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). The key to the commitment of being drug, alcohol and tobacco free is faith in Jesus Christ.
Workout Questions
- Faith in His forgiveness. Read 1 John 1:9. What does it mean to “confess” a sin?
- Faith that He will give me wisdom to make good decisions. Read Proverbs 13:20. What does this verse mean to you in your life?
- Faith that He will give me strength. Read Philippians 4:13. What is one practical way you can experience God’s strength concerning alcohol and drug use?
- Faith that is real. If you were to die today, how sure are you that you would go to heaven (1 to 100%)? Why?
Wrap Up
It is by faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8) and come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is also by faith that we experience victory in life and become totally dependent upon Him to provide the wisdom and strength to live. Do you just say you have faith that Jesus can give you the forgiveness, wisdom and strength to live and play drug, alcohol and tobacco free? Or are you willing to get in the wheelbarrow and put your faith into action? If you are not 100% sure that if you died today and would be in heaven, then you should consider asking Jesus to come into your life.
Follow the More Than Winning booklet and walk through each step — God’s Plan, Man’s Problem, God’s Substitute and Man’s Response. Use the suggested Prayer of Commitment to close in prayer.
Students can go online at www.morethanwinning.com [1] and indicate their commitment to Christ. FCA will send them a free follow-up packet with a Sports New Testament.