WARM-UP
As competitors, it doesn’t matter how much you achieve or how well you are performing at any given time. There is always a desire to do more. Every workout, practice and competition matters. It drives competitors closer to their goal.
Golfers crave lower scores. Batters strive for higher averages. Pitchers want more strikeouts. Quarterbacks aspire to throw more touchdowns. Teams work towards a better win-loss record.
But just like in the activity above, striving for perfection can be a frustrating experience at times. The most driven competitors can’t help but try to hit the mark, which warrants some difficult questions:
Am I good enough?
Do I have what it takes?
What happens if I fail?
Q: What are some things that you think you lack as a competitor?
Q: Which of the following emotions do you feel when you think about those things that you lack?
Anger
Depression
Insecurity
Inadequacy
Frustration
Sadness
Q: How do you usually respond to the realization that you may not have everything you need to reach your ideal level of success? Do you . . .
Cry?
Fight harder?
Give up?
Pray?
Other?
WORKOUT
In the book of Acts, there was a man named Saul who was extremely successful and appeared to have everything he needed in life. He was Jewish yet was also a Roman citizen, which gave him unusual favor and influence. He was also educated and articulate in both political and theological settings. In his mind, he was fulfilling his divine calling. But he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Unfortunately, Saul used his resources and influence to rally mobs of religious zealots against the world’s first believers. He was even present at the first recorded public execution of a Christian (Acts 6–7). Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Q: Why do you think Saul was so sure of himself yet so wrong in his actions and attitudes?
Q: How do you think having “everything” (material success, abilities, resources, etc.) might cause someone to go against God’s plan for his or her life?
More than Enough
Like Saul, when we seek the things we need in the wrong places or when we think we have what we need and act irresponsibly in that false reality, we can often do damage to ourselves and to those around us.
Here’s the good news: the answer to the question of purpose, self-worth and acceptance always comes back to God. He is all powerful, loves us unconditionally and gives us everything we need for a full life. God is always more than enough.
God created you out of His perfect love.
And when fellowship was broken because of sin (Genesis 3), His love set into motion a master plan that would bring us back into a relationship with Him.
And furthermore, He created you on purpose, for a purpose.
God also gave you goals, dreams and desires related to that purpose and He equipped you with the abilities, resources and relationships to fulfill it.
But the only way to tap into everything that God has for you is to surrender everything and put Him first in your life.
Q: What are some things you’re holding on to (control, bad habits, bad attitudes, etc.) that might be holding back what God wants to give you?
Q: How do you think living by Matthew 6:33 might change your life both on the field of competition and throughout all areas of your life?
WRAP-UP
Everything in Christ
As long as humankind has been separated from God, we have been searching for fulfillment through performance, seeking approval through perfection and looking for purpose through pursuits. But we will only find true fulfillment, approval and purpose through our Creator.
Here's what to remember about receiving everything in Christ:
1. You are created. Your life is not random. The most powerful Being that will ever exist created you in His image. And that means something.
2. You are loved. God created you to have a relationship with Him. Because of His great love for you, He will give you everything you need--including what He already gave through His Son's sacrifice on the cross.
3. You are chosen. There is more to your life than you can ever imagine. God created you for a specific purpose which is part of a much larger plan that has been in the works ince the beginning of time.
As you allow these truths to soak into your heart, the Holy Spirit will begin to cultivate and activate inside of you another powerful truth found in our daily theme verse:
OVERTIME
As a Huddle, search for The FOUR in the app. Take some time afterward to talk about each of these principles in light of what you have read and discussed in this meeting. If you haven’t already committed your heart to Jesus Christ, talk to your Huddle leader about making that life-changing decision today.