WARM-UP
You’re seeing glimpses of what you can be as an athlete and it’s exciting to experience competitive growth. But, is it just about improving, achieving, and winning? If so, that feeling of excitement might not last for long. The great news is that God created you for something more!
WORKOUT
No matter the competitive situation, it always seems like something is on the line—the game, starting positions, scholarships, reputations, locker room status, bragging rights, etc. But Oklahoma softball coach Patti Gasso has become known for encouraging her athletes to celebrate the greater promise they have through their identity in Christ.
The team’s rallying cry throughout its 2021 NCAA championship run was “BATL” or “Boast About The Lord.” It was focusing on God that allowed them to play without fearing a negative result. They saw beyond the short-term promise of competitive success and instead saw the bigger picture of why they were competing in the first place.
Q: When was a time that you competed with something on the line?
Q: How did you feel when you had that pressure on you?
In The Light
As Jesus began His ministry, many religious leaders were anxious about his arrival. Most of them didn’t like the idea that someone else was greater than them. Except for a few.
Nicodemus’ identity was wrapped up in his job and in his status. Nicodemus felt the pressure to perform, but what he really need was the Truth. Until that point, Nicodemus knew all about God but didn’t truly know Him. Fixating on the rules of his religion prevented him from having a relationship. But Jesus showed Nicodemus the light of Truth and revealed a greater promise of eternal life.
Nicodemus came to Jesus in the cover of darkness, but spiritually, he was about to step into the light thanks to these powerful words:
That night, Nicodemus stepped into the light of God’s promise. After meeting Jesus, he was no longer wrapped up in what he could do, but instead was compelled to see what God could do through him and for God’s glory.
WRAP-UP
Greater Promise
More than anything you can find through athletic success, God wants to give you the greater promise that comes from Jesus. Here are three amazing things that His greater promise will bring:
Greater Love. God’s promise is only possible because of His great love for you—even to the point of sacrificing His own Son.
Greater Gift. Salvation is the key to a relationship with God and the promise of eternal life.
Greater Identity. There is no more confusion about who you are and your self-worth when you join God’s family.
As you allow these truths to soak into your heart, the Holy Spirit will begin to cultivate and activate inside of you a desire to live out another powerful truth found in our theme verse:
OVERTIME
Take some time to say this prayer to yourself:
“Dear Lord, thank You for the greater promise of salvation. Help me to receive Your love so that I might begin to find my identity in You.” Amen
If you want to learn more about receiving the greater promise of a relationship with God, talk to your group leader or another FCA staff member about making that life-changing decision today.