• Welcome everyone and particularly any newcomers this week.
• Remind each other of the vision of CIS and the purpose of the weekly group meeting. (Consider using CIS videos and resources to keep this fresh each week).

1. In pairs look back over the summer. Follow up with anything people asked for prayer about going into the term.
2. In pairs share prayer points for the week of sport ahead and spend time praying for each other.

Some weeks pray more widely for other clubs and teams in your university which are not represented in the group. Alternatively, you can also use the CIS prayer diary to pray for the whole mission of CIS.

You might also want to use this slot to discuss and plan your evangelistic event for the term and pray specifically about it.

Week 1 | Created to Worship

Introduction

As we connect our sport and faith this session will help us see that as followers of Jesus, we are made to worship Him with all of our lives; including our sport.

Read

Read Romans 12:1

Reflect

How might your definition of worship differ from Paul’s in Romans 12:1?

Explain

Paul, the author of Romans spends the first 11 chapters of his letter unpacking the beauty of the gospel of grace. Turning his focus towards the Christian reader he begins chapter 12 by saying “Therefore, in view of Gods mercy…”. Flowing out from your faith in Jesus, and being continually shaped by God’s grace, Paul is calling you to respond by; “offering your bodies as living sacrifices’, holy and pleasing to God- this is true and proper worship.”

The term “living sacrifice” means a life consecrated and given over to God. Using this term Paul wants us to grasp three things about “true and proper worship” of God:

1. True and proper worship is in response to Gods mercy; the gospel of grace.
2. True and proper worship involves every part of my life.
3. True and proper worship involves every moment of my time.

What Paul shows us in Romans 12:1, is that the correct response to God’s grace is a life of worship to Him. All of me, all of the time, for God’s glory.

Discuss

1. Paul shows that whole life worship begins by responding to God’s mercy. What can you do to keep God’s mercy at the forefront of your heart and mind this week?
2. How does living a life of worship change the way you view your sport?
3. What does it look like to worship Jesus in and through your sport as you train and compete this week?

Pray

• Pray that we live lives of worship ‘in view of God’s mercy.’
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would enable us to worship Jesus in and through our sport this week; All of us, all of the time, for His glory.

Update everyone on the key messages for the week. These might include:

• Sharing the student sign up link
• Promoting your evangelistic event for the term
• Plugging New Year Training
• Reminding people about carol services and other events the group can make use of.

Share these resources with your group at the end or immediately after the meeting to encourage them.

Listen

How can I glorify God in my sport?

Watch

'I got to pray with my crew before we raced' | The trainee vicar who rowed The Boat Race

Read

What does the Bible say about sport?