Discipline

Introduction:

In sports today, a coach’s discipline can often be perceived as needless punishment, disdain for the player, or a power trip. While some coaches are guilty of that, most of them discipline because they’re attempting to help their athletes reach their potential. Unfortunately, athletes often reject discipline by ignoring their coach, quitting the team, or transferring schools. Those athletes miss out on essential lessons and never benefit from the knowledge of the coach.

Application:

1. Why is it important for the coach to enforce certain expectations such as, following team rules, learning the playbook, training hard and heeding instruction?
2. Tell about a time when you saw a teammate benefit from receiving discipline from a coach? How did the way that teammate handled discipline impact you?
3. What are some reasons why receiving discipline is difficult?

Bridge:

God has given us a playbook that provides everything we need to know. Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The question then becomes whether you will reject His playbook or follow the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:11-12: “Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.”

Connection:

1. Discipline is any form of instruction, training or correction that helps someone follow expectations in order to achieve the intended result.
2. How are your coaches and team leaders helping your team through discipline?
3. How does God’s discipline show that He loves us?

Discovery:

1. Today, receive discipline in a way that positively affects your team.
2. Ask God to show you ways in which you are rejecting His loving discipline.
3. This week, commit to reading God’s Word as diligently as you would your team’s playbook.

Memory Verse:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1