Discuss

Why read the Bible with a sports friend?

God’s Word is powerful, and it will do His work in the lives of sportspeople. Our best thoughts, ideas, opinions or arguments, though useful, are still those of ourselves, of humans. They cannot compare to the Word of God in either power or influence. The Bible is useful for all people, at all times, and remains God’s Word across generations. It is still today our greatest tool for bringing people to Christ in the world of sport.

• In v.14 what is Timothy to do?
• In v.15 what are the ‘Holy Scriptures’ and what can they do?
• What do you think these verses tell us about the potential impact of Scripture on our sports friends?
• How does knowing this make you feel about reading the Bible with a sports friend?

Sum Up

God’s Word reveals God’s character, His teaching and the work of Jesus Christ. Reading it with a sports friend gives that friend direct access to God’s words.

• What does ‘God-breathed’ mean? Why does this encourage you as you think about reading the Bible with a friend?
• In verse 16 we see that God’s Word is useful for 4 things. What are they? Why is each one important?
• What does the Word of God achieve according to verse 17?
• What would stop you asking a sports friend to read the Bible with you? Can you overcome this?

Sum Up

So often we assume our friends would not want to read the Bible without ever having asked them! When we remember the power of God’s Word from 2 Timothy 3, and see the impact it has on lives, why wouldn’t we want to give them the opportunity to access God’s Word for themselves?

What does this mean for us?

Write down answers to the following:

• Who would you like to read the Bible with you?
• Taking into account the latest Covid-19 restrictions, what ways could you still read the Bible with someone? E.g. Online, outside etc.
• What will you do to enable this to happen?
• Who can hold you to account for this?
• How can you encourage other Christians in your club to do this too?

All Bible quotations are taken with permission from the NIV:
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.