• 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 2 | Commanded to Witness

Introduction

As we continue to reach the world of university sport for Christ this session will help us to understand that we are commanded to witness in our sporting contexts.

Read

Matthew 28:18-20

Reflect

How does this passage comfort and challenge you?

Explain

Jesus leaves His followers with a clear and simple command: ‘people need to hear about me, so go out into the world and tell them’. There is nothing passive about Jesus’ final instructions. He calls all disciples, throughout all time to “go” into all the world and make disciples of those who don’t know the good news of Jesus. That is not simply to convert people but to make disciples who understand what Jesus has done, profess faith in him and are committed to following and obeying his way of life.

The word which is translated as ‘nations’ means ‘people groups’. There are few bigger people groups in the world today than that of sport. This call from Jesus to make disciples of ‘all people groups’ undoubtedly applies to making disciples in the world of sport. Yet this is a world where strikingly few people are following Christ. Jesus understands that for many Christians sharing their faith can be a daunting prospect, which is why this command to “go” is surrounded by two comforting facts: Jesus has all authority on heaven and earth and He is always with us.

Discuss

1. How does the truth of Jesus’ authority and presence comfort us as we go and make disciples in the world of sport?
2. What are some of the unique opportunities and challenges we face when trying to make disciples in our university sports clubs and teams?
3. How can you intentionally seek to make disciples of Jesus in your sport this week?

Pray

• Thank God that he is with you wherever you go and has authority over everything.
• Ask God for opportunities this week to ‘make disciples’ of Jesus in your sport.
• Pray He will give you courage to speak of Christ when these opportunities come.

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

Why should I reach the world of sport for Christ?

Watch

What does it mean to 'make disciples' in the world of sport?

Read

How can I start well at a new sports club?