Week 5- The Lens of Gratitude

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

   17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

   18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.  20 Children, obey your parents in    everything, for this pleases the Lord.  21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as    working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

   1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

   2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 3:17 - 4:6

What does this passage have to say about gratitude?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) How often does God expect you to be thankful?  In what situations, and how should you express it (3:17)?

2) Does your team seek to honor God in “whatever you do” (v. 17)?  Do others hear your gratitude and commitment to God in what you say and how you speak (to one another and to others)?  Do others see your gratitude and      commitment to God in what you do and how you react (to people and        circumstances)?  What does this say about your attitude toward God?  Is it possible to “have gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16b) and not have your words and actions glorify Him?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

You see, gratitude is a sort of lens through which we are called to see and engage in all of life.  “Whatever you do, give thanks.”

3) How should your gratitude to God impact the way you work (v. 22-23)?  What does working “with all your heart” mean?  Have you ever told someone that you’re “trying as hard as you can,” but not meant it?  Do your coaches trust you to give your best effort every time?  If so, why?  (If’s probably because this is a habit that you’ve faithfully done.  This is the habit of gratitude      displayed in your work.)  If you claim to work hard, but don’t actually do it, what habit are you developing?  What does this communicate about your gratitude to God?

4) What motivates a godly coach to treat his players according to “what is right and fair” (4:1)?  Have you expressed to your coach your gratitude for his/her  commitment to coaching in a way that pleases God?

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

5) What activity should flow from a deep, thankful relationship with God (4:2)?  Are you a praying teammate?  Do you pray for your coaches and opponents, as well?  Your family, teachers, pastor?

6) The habit of praying, of spending time dwelling in a relationship with God, should also impact what part of your life, according to Colossians 4:6?  How do relationships that are “full of grace” demonstrate gratitude?  Are your               conversations with your teammates and coaches “full of grace”?  Parents?    Teachers?  Are you gracious in the way you react to and speak about officials?  When watching a sporting event, are you a fan whose speech is “full of grace”?  Are your school’s fans committed to that example?  What problem might it pose for your school, if they are not (v. 6)?

FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of gratitude, and pray together.

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

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

· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “grateful 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 gratitude — 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 gratitude or anything else), and pray together.