• 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 on your week of sport and discuss how last week’s group meeting helped you. Follow up with anything people asked for prayer about.
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 11 | Living a wise and godly life in your sports club

Introduction

As we continue to reach the world of university sport for Christ, this session will help us understand how our identity as a child of God shapes how we are to live in our sports clubs.

Read

Read Ephesians 5:1-18

Reflect

In light of these verses, how might a Christian’s identity shape their behaviour?

Explain

The world of sport defines people by what they do; successful, talented, cheater, quitter. Someone’s behaviour at training, in competition or on a night out ultimately shapes their identity. But the gospel flips this on its head. In light of all that Jesus has done for us, our identities are no longer defined by our behaviour, but rather they are graciously given to us. We are declared ‘dearly loved children of God’ (v1), though we once lived in darkness we are now children of light (v8).

This new identity can now shape the way we live our lives. We can “find out what pleases the Lord” (v9) and choose to live wisely and godly lives which seek to “make the most of every opportunity” (v15). The world of sport throws up many challenges for Christians to have to navigate, however here in v3-18 Paul helpfully calls us to live distinctive holy lives in many of these areas knowing that we do not do it alone. With the Holy Spirit’s help (v18) and following God’s example (v1), we can “walk in the way of love” and show our sports friends how good it is to be a child of God and live out God’s design for life!

Discuss

1. How does reminding yourself of your identity as a “dearly loved child of God” encourage you today?
2. How can this identity change the way you live in your sports club? (particularly in the areas of drinking, language, lifestyle, sex).
3. How can we help one another to walk in wisdom in our sports clubs and teams this week as we pray play say together?

Pray

• Praise God for how he has transformed your life and given you a new identity in Christ.
• Pray for specific areas in your sports club where you need God’s help to live a wise and godly life (This might bring up specific sin struggles which we recommend you share with someone at your church who can help you through it personally).
• Ask God to use you to show your friends a different way of living, which would lead to gospel conversations and ultimately the salvation of your sports friends.

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 do I deal with socials and initiations in my sports team?

Watch

How do I live as a Christian within sports culture that doesn't worship Jesus?

Read

What does the Bible say about the drinking culture?