Week 2- As I Have Done for You: Leaders and Feet
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth; no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17
What does this passage have to say about leadership?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) What truth does Jesus declare about Himself (v. 13)? As the disciples’ undisputed leader, why would He choose to wash their feet (v. 1)?
2) What does He say you should do, in order to be a good leader (v. 14-15)? In what specific ways can you obey that command in relation to your coaches and teammates?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
3) Would you rather have a leader who tells you what to do, or a leader that also sets an example of what you should do? What is the difference in the impact of those two kinds of leaders? Which of those types of leaders was Jesus?
4) Do you have the option to not be a leader? When a person says, “I’m not a leader,” what is he really saying? How would you respond to a teammate who said that to you?
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
5) If you follow Christ’s example of servant-leadership, what will be the result (v. 17)? If you serve your team in this way, what will be the effect on your team? What is God’s blessing upon an athletic team? Should you expect wins and championships and honors? How do you define success?
6) What will be the qualities of a leader who has not first been a servant? What will be the impact of a leader who has not first been a servant?
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of leadership, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about leadership this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about leadership you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about leadership this week...What does a leader athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of leadership, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “leader 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 leadership — 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 leadership or anything else), and pray together.
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