Introduction

Sport and the people who participate in it are closely observed, measured, evaluated and examined according to their success or the lack thereof. How a person or a team measures success and how that success is pursued tells a lot about their values and priorities.

Application

1. What are the most widely accepted standards for success in your sport?
2. How do you personally measure your team’s success?
3. How do you measure your personal success as a competitor?
4. How do you think God views the success of a team or an individual?

Bridge

1. Paul’s first letter to his friends in Corinth gives us some insight into God’s view of success. In I Corinthians 4:1-4 we read:“A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries. In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful. It is of little importance to me that I should be evaluated by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord.”
2. How does Paul describe his role as a Christian?
3. What is the standard of service his friends should expect from him?
4. Who is the ultimate judge of our success or “faithfulness” as Christians?

Connection

1. Who are the ultimate judges of your success in sports? What are their standards of measurement?
2. How are they similar to or different from God as an ultimate judge?

Discovery

Make a list of two or three principles to which you can be faithful in your sporting life. Think of ways your team can encourage each other toward faithfulness rather than performance in sport as the ultimate measure of success.

Close

Memory verse: “In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.” – I Corinthians 4:2