WARM-UP 

Performance counts. It isn’t a bad thing, but an unhealthy point of view as a competitor can produce bad habits, wrong motivations and unnecessary pressures. The good news is that your identity in Christ gives you a new way to perform. 

WORKOUT 

 Audience of One 

NFL quarterbacks like Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson and Tua Tagaovailoa have become known for using the popular phrase “Audience of One.” It’s their way of telling football fans that they play first and foremost for God. They want to give Him the glory by giving their best performance on the field. 

That doesn’t mean they don’t feel pressure, but for any athlete who competes with this mindset, understanding that God is the only person they truly need to please can certainly bring peace, joy and freedom from fear. 

Q: What does the phrase “Audience of One” mean to you as an athlete? 

Q: Is playing for God something you think about always, some of the time or not at all? 

Losing To Win 

When your identity is in Christ, you are no longer performing for yourself, your coach, your family or your friends. Like those NFL athletes and many more like them, you are playing for an Audience of One. Once you only compete for Him, others can see Christ working through you as an athlete. 

That’s why it’s so important to stay connected to “the vine” and remain in Christ (John 15:5). But that also means you must sacrifice your wants and plans and commit your life to Jesus. It may not always make sense, but for the athlete, it’s like losing to win. 

Giving your life to Christ and staying connected to Him might mean giving up some things that are holding you back or keeping you from experiencing the fullness of a life-changing relationship with God. But what you will receive in return is so much greater than anything the world can offer. You will have the power of Christ inside of you and be able to reach your fullest potential to perform for His glory.  

You give up to gain something greater.  

Q: Do you feel like your performance is mostly for God, yourself or someone else?  

Q: What do you think “losing to win” might look like in your life? 

WRAP-UP 

Greater Performance 

When you have found your new identity in Christ, it will help you unlock your full potential and lead to a greater performance for His glory. You are now playing for Someone, not something. Here are three key things that you will receive through your relationship with God:  

• Greater Fuel. God is your Creator and He knows (and through Jesus will give) what you need most to glorify Him in all areas of your life. 

• Greater Freedom. Performing for Him first allows you to stay untangled from the world’s expectations of you as an athlete and as a disciple of Christ. 

• Greater Fruit. More than just athletic performance, staying connected to Jesus will produce godly characteristics in your life. 

As you allow these Truths to soak into your heart, the Holy Spirit will empower you to live out another powerful Truth found in our theme verse: 

OVERTIME 

Take some time to answer the following questions in Notes. Go over them with your group or one-on-one with your Huddle leader or an FCA staff member: 

Q: What are some things that are holding you back that you might need to give up? 

Q: Why is it so difficult sometimes to fully give your heart and your life to God? 

Q: How do you think doing so might change the way you approach athletic performance and other areas of your life?