WARM-UP 

Maybe you tried out for Varsity and made JV instead. Or maybe you’re struggling to improve your speed, your strength or your stats. You give it your all, and it never seems good enough. Not achieving goals might make you feel like a failure, but God says differently. There is greater potential in your life than finding your identity in sports.  

WORKOUT 

Untapped Potential 

As an athlete, it’s natural to feel like you have more potential than what is showing up in practice or in the heat of competition. And when you don’t feel like you’re living up to expectations, the pressure starts to build. 

Living up to your potential is more than what you can do on your own. There’s more to life than playing for the scoreboard. In fact, your potential shouldn’t just be measured by athletic achievements. It should be measured by who God says you are. There is a greater purpose wrapped up in your potential when your potential is wrapped up in Him!  

Q: Is your identity wrapped up in your sport or in a relationship with God? 

Q: What are some things that might be causing your identity to get wrapped up in your sport? 

True Light 

The Gospel of John shares the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. His cousin, a fiery preacher known as John the Baptist, prepared the people for Jesus’ arrival. John did great things, and even the people thought he was great, but John knew someone was coming Who was greater.  

As John preached about the coming of Jesus, many religious leaders were anxious about this greater One. They were comfortable living under a system that emphasized the pressure to perform. If you were good at your job, then you were a good person. But Jesus had a better way. His way? Bringing light to a dark world:   

Therein lies the problem: “the world did not recognize him.” Similarly, we often don’t reach our full potential because we don’t recognize that He is the true source of our potential. 

Q: Why do you think the world didn’t recognize Jesus when He first arrived? 

Q: How do you think having a deeper understanding of Jesus would unveil more of your potential? 

WRAP-UP 

Greater Potential 

There is more to sports than just winning. It’s an easy trap to fall into, but it’s life-changing when you begin to recognize your full potential through Christ.  

Here’s how to see and apply the “Greater Potential” of Jesus: 

• Greater Way. There’s a better way to reach your fullest potential. And it’s the ONLY path that will truly get you there.  

• Greater Truth. It’s not just a greater truth. It’s THE Truth. When you embrace the truth of Jesus, you experience freedom from the pressure to perform and see the purpose behind the gifts that God has given you. 

• Greater Life. This is what Jesus offers you through a relationship with Him. More joy, peace and purpose through a life focused on Jesus. 

John the Baptist understood what it meant to live your greater potential in Jesus. It’s not what you do, but who you are. As you allow these truths to soak into your heart, pray that God will activate a desire to live for Him as exemplified in our theme verse: 

 OVERTIME 

 As a Huddle, go to The Four in the app. Talk about each of these key points with a teammate. If you haven’t surrendered your heart to Jesus Christ, talk to your Huddle leader about making that life-changing decision today.