Introduction:

One powerful trait that distinguishes high-achieving teams is their competitive drive. At the core of their approach to sports is the will to train, practice, compete and win. Think about the best teams you’ve either been part of or have competed against and consider their competitive drives.

Application:

1. How would you describe the competitive drive of a great team?
2. Why is competitive drive so important to a team’s success?
3. Using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = “Let’s just have fun.” 10 = “We compete in our sleep.”), how would you rank your team’s competitive drive? Why?

Bridge:

The prophet Elijah had a tremendous competitive drive—so much so that he even challenged 450 pagan prophets to a contest. Read 1 Kings 18:22-24: “Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh. The God who answers with fire, He is God.’ All the people answered, ‘That sounds good.’”

Connection:

1. What are some indicators of Elijah’s competitive drive?
2. Does his competitive drive seem to be a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
3. How can you and your teammates keep the team’s competitive drive under control?

Discovery:

1. As you compete, do so with the freedom that comes from a Christ-transformed heart.
2. Keep your team’s competitive drive under control.
3. Compete in a way that both honors God and enables your team to achieve its goals.

Memory Verse:

“Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25