• 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 14 | The Reality of Heaven and Hell

Introduction

As we continue to reach the world of university sport for Christ this session will help us remember one of the reasons, we want to share the good news of Jesus with urgency; because Heaven and Hell are real.

Read

Read Matthew 25:31-46

Reflect

What stood out to you from this passage?

Explain

Knowing what is ahead of us, affects how we act in the present. This is true for life and in sport. If we have an exam coming up, we will revise. If we have an important match or competition, we will train. Why? Because knowing what is ahead of us, affects how we act in the present.

Jesus taught that on judgment day, people will be judged based on their belief in him (John 3:36) which is displayed through their words, deeds, and thoughts. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus pulls back the curtain to give his followers a glimpse of what is to come based on how they have served him and his followers. He wants us to grasp three things about our humanities future:

1. Judgment is coming for everyone (v32-33)
2. Those who accept Jesus and serve him will spend eternity in heaven (v34-40)
3. Those who reject Jesus and do not serve him will face eternity in hell (v41-46)

Discuss

1. How often do you think about the return of Jesus? How could dwelling more on this future day shape how you live and play your sport today?
2. Re-read v34. How should you respond to the truth that you and all who trust in Jesus will hear these words as you are welcomed into your eternal home?
3. Think of your sports friend who is not yet trusting Jesus. Picture them in your minds eye. How can the truth of v46 shape how you relate to them?

Pray

• Pray that the reality of the coming of Jesus would shape you today.
• Ask God to fill you with gratitude for his grace and mercy.
• Pray for urgency and boldness in our evangelism efforts towards our lost friends in our sports clubs.

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 Sports Plus leader applications

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

Listen

Why should I reach the world of sport for Christ?

Watch

Why tell sports people about Jesus? | The eternal perspective

Read

Bible Study: Matthew 28