WEEK 1- The Faith We Profess

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

     14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.  16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may   receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

What does this passage have to say about confidence?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) What is the difference between a feeling and a belief?  (Need a little help?  Here’s a helpful way to assist your athletes in their thinking about this...A feeling is impacted by your emotions and circumstances, whereas a belief impacts your emotions and circumstances

2) Is faith a feeling or a belief?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) What is the relationship between a belief and an action?  Is a belief genuine (real) if it’s not put into action?

4) When you “hold firmly to the faith [you] profess” (v. 14), what should your response be?  Will you feel or think something, or will you do something?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

5) With the understanding that confidence (“holding firmly to the faith we profess” - v. 14) is a firmly-held belief that is displayed in     action, what is the challenge of verse 16: “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence…”?  What are you being commanded to do?

6) In what ways can your teammates and coaches pray for you, as you seek to put your faith into practice?

FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of confidence and pray together.

· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about confidence this week, and to repeat some of those things.  (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about confidence you’ve discussed, if necessary.)

· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about confidence this week...What does a confident athlete do?”  Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of confidence, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.

· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “confident athlete”, and be sure the list is displayed somewhere that is constantly visible, as a reminder to the team.

· Pray together as a team.  Encourage your athletes to pray for your team’s growth in regard to the discipline of confidence —  especially in relation to some of the issues and challenges that you discussed together this week.  Challenge them to also ask for forgiveness, when applicable.  Give time for athletes to request prayer (regarding confidence or anything else), and pray together.