Loyalty

Introduction

It’s very common in sports for players to quit, for coaches to kick players off the team, for players to transfer between schools, for coaches to change teams because of being fired or pursuing more money, and for professional athletes to be traded or become free agents. It’s much less common to find loyalty in our world.

Application

1. Tell about a situation in sports where you have seen a player or coach proclaim his loyalty, but then leave his team for a better one or for more money.
2. Who has shown you loyalty during your sports career? Tell us about it.
3. How do people express loyalty around your team?

Bridge

1. In Proverbs 20:6 we find some very simple and direct language about loyalty and its rarity: “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?”
2. Why is it easier to proclaim one’s loyalty than to be trustworthy and demonstrate loyalty?
3. Tell about a situation where one of your teammates proved his or her loyalty by being trustworthy.

Connection

1. How can we develop a culture of loyalty in our team?
2. What are some situations this season that could demand loyalty to each other from our team?
3. What could happen in the life of our team that would require loyalty from individual players or the coaches?

Discovery

Think about one or two teammates to whom you would like to express your thanks for their loyalty. Make a commitment to send them a message, give them a call, or simply offer a handshake and a heart-felt, “Thank you.”

Close

Memory verse: “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” Proverbs 20:6