Ready:
“If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” —Philippians 2:1-4
Set:
The job of pacemakers in the Tour De France (pro bicycle racing) is to get a winning time for their team. The pacemakers make sure that the pace in the leading group suits their team strategy for the race. Getting a member of their team across the finish line first is the entire team’s goal. Without pacemakers it is much more difficult to win the race. Pace and pacemakers are crucial to finishing strong and winning.
An old proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” All team sports require teamwork. Teams cannot be successful without teamwork. Every practice is built around this, because every game or match rises or falls based on teamwork. Most athletes have been part of a play where teamwork was at a high level and this resulted in a victory. The elation of teamwork and winning is one of the best parts of sports. On the other hand, the agony of defeat is difficult to bear when it occurs because of a lack of teamwork. Going far requires going together.
Jesus was the ultimate leader and teacher and did a few things with His disciples that clearly demonstrated teamwork. He taught them and modeled for them what it meant to be together and go together, like sports practices with the team working together for the game ahead. He sent them to towns and villages, two by two, to share the Good News of Jesus. He didn’t send them alone (Luke 10:1). Jesus revealed the foundational principle that Solomon spoke of when he contrasted if someone fell into a hole but didn’t have anyone to help him out -vs- falling into the hole and having someone right there to pull him out (Ecclesiastes 4:10). He was saying that you must be part of a team. Never go alone in anything.
Teamwork is a foundational part of team sports. It is also foundational to your spiritual growth.
Go:
How does it feel to be part of a team that works and plays together?
How do you work to build teamwork on your team?
Who can you ask to walk alongside you and you grow in your faith?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling teamwork with Your team and showing the high value and importance of it. Help me to understand the higher value of teamwork. Help me strive to be an excellent team member and player. May my attitude and commitment to my team show, for Your honor and glory. Amen.”