Sport Discussions in James – Extraordinary Living

Sport Discussions in James – Extraordinary Living

Notes:

·      The questions for discussion will appear in normal text like this.

·      Suggested answers, discussion hints and follow up questions will appear in italics like this.

Perseverance in Trials

James 1:1–8

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       What kinds of trials do you go through as an athlete? (v.2) Injuries, losing streaks, problems with teammates… What is a consistently painful part of your being an athlete?  Bad relationships with coaches or teammates, physical pains, separation from family…

·       Why would James say to consider it joy when we’re under trial? (vv.3-4) Because it produces endurance…Does is feel joyful?  Why not?  It’s still painful, but the mature believer can see God at work in the pain.

·       What part of your sport requires real wisdom from God? (v.5) Dealing with problem people, difficult parts of the game, handling anger…How do we ask God for that wisdom?  In prayer and by faith…What does it feel like to have God’s wisdom?  Confidence, assurance, peace…

·       Why would being single-minded or well focused be so important for one to get wisdom from God? (vv.5-8) Otherwise you have conflicting values and attitudes… Who is an example of someone who has that kind of wisdom on your team?  Name a player or coach…

3.    Weekly Summary:

·       Expect trials to come along with playing the game.

·       See God’s hand in the midst of such suffering and trial.

·       Maintain your focus on God’s will and His love for you.

·       Faithfully ask God for His wisdom as you compete.

All Star or Benchwarmer?

James 1:9-18

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·      What kinds of players are like the “brother of humble circumstances” in verses 9-12?  The less skilled players… those with lesser equipment, money, etc…Why would theirs be a high position?  The Lord is near to the humble, he is opposed to the proud…Does it feel like a high position to them?  Usually not.  Why?  The world tells them they’re the lowly ones…

·      What kinds of players are more like the “rich man” of verse 10?  The most talented, the strongest, most fit, those who achieve without effort…What could be humiliating about his position?  At some point his ability will decline or others will catch up with his abilities…Does his feel like a humiliating position?  No, they usually feel superior…Why?  The world’s system rewards them…

·      What kind of crowns, medals or trophies have you won as an athlete? (v. 12) Team trophies, most valuable player awards, tell your story…When would one receive the Crown of Life?  When we see the Lord, either at His coming or at our death…What wins that crown?  Those who love Him…

·      What is the greatest temptation you face during temptation?  (vv. 13-15) To cheat, to be lazy in practice… what for you?  What happens if you give in to it?  I suffer, the team suffers…  What is there inside us that makes us so prone to fall?  We’re all flawed and bent by sin…

·      Who does James tell us is the source of every gift?  (vv. 16-18) God is…  The Father of Lights...Is this true or have you earned what you’ve received?  Some of us think we’ve earned it, but our life and achievements are gifts from God…

3.    Weekly Summary:

·      Keep a healthy perspective on the circumstances of your teammates.  Some will be humble; others will be rich.

·      Strive to compete at the best of your ability.  Get the Crown of Life at any cost.

·      Watch out for the temptations that come along with your sport.

·      Give praise and thanksgiving to God for His gracious gifts.

Self Controlled Competitors

James 1:19-27

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       When does being too quick to speak and too easily angered cause a problem in your competition?  (v.19) Screaming at teammates or coaches or officials, trash talking opponents… What drives these attitudes in our hearts?  Sin, anger, contempt, selfishness, others?

·       Are man’s anger and God’s righteousness sometimes in conflict within you when you compete? (v.20) Often…  How does the conflict make you feel?  Unsure about how to deal with it, frustrated with myself, questioning the power of my faith…How do you deal with it?  Confess sin, admit my weakness to teammates, seek forgiveness from those I hurt…

·       Why would some of us be like the people in verses 21-25 and know the game plan but not carry it out?  We think we’re smarter than our coaches, we want to do things our way…

·       What are the defining characteristics of a pure life?  (v.27) Visiting orphans and widows in their distress, keeping oneself unstained by the world.  What motivates and inspires these things in your life?  Clear vision of God’s gifts to me, regular worship and prayer…

3.    Weekly Summary:

·       Be quick to hear and slow to speak.

·       Watch out for anger and make room for God’s way of doing things.

·       Carry out your team’s and God’s game plans to their fullest.

·       Live a life of purity before God.

Foolish Favorites

James 2:1-13

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       Where does favoritism, like we see in verses 1-4, appear in the world of sports?  Rich boosters who get the best seats, rich players get the best positions, coaches who have their favorite players…

·       What attitudes lie at the root of such favoritism?  Selfishness, greed, jealousy…  Are those attitudes at work in your heart?  Probably everyone’s prone to these things…

·       Which of our teammates or opponents in sport are slighted by such favoritism?  (vv.5-9) The poorer people get passed over, the less fortunate get what’s left over…  How do you feel when you see them slighted?  Angered, disgusted, frustrated…

·       How do we judge the commitment of an athlete to his team or his sport? (vv.12-13) By the time and effort they put into it. What drives our desire to judge people like this?  We want to be in control or to label people…

·       What happens when we judge without mercy on others?  We receive no mercy.  What is a better way to deal with judgmental thoughts?  (v.13) Show mercy to people. 

3. Weekly Summary:

·       Watch out for favoritism on your team, it hurts everyone.

·       Be careful with your judgement of teammates.

·       Be merciful with your teammates, mercy triumphs over judgement.

Walk the Walk

James 2:14-26

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       According to verses 14-17, how effective is a faith with no action?  Not at all… it’s dead…  What would cause such a disconnect in our hearts?  We take the easy way out… We’re selfish…

·       Where does hollow faith talk like this in verses 14-26 show up in your sport?  I’ll work harder in practice this year… I’ll train in a more disciplined manner… I’ll eat more wisely…

·       How do we see real faith in action within our sports experience?  Where is the real deal?  Trusting God for health and attitude…  Prayer for teammates and coaches…  Asking God to be honored by your play…

·       Who do you know that shows his or her real faith by his or her lifestyle as a Christian athlete?  Tell us about a teammate or coach…  What seems to be the driving force of their lives?  Is it their family, their faith, their devotional life, their church…?

3.    Weekly Summary:

·       Exercise real faith with action in your sport.

·       Watch out for hollow talk of faith that leads to nothing.

·       Encourage those you know who are real men and women of faith.

Watch Your Tongue!

James 3:1-12

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       Why might a coach or a teacher incur a stricter judgement than any other athlete?  (v.1) They’re responsible for those they teach. /coach… How much pressure do you think your coaches feel related to your performance as an athlete?  Some of them feel lots, others don’t even think about it…Is this good or bad?  It’s good if it helps them understand the tremendous influence they have…

·       How do some athletes and coaches use their tongues improperly?  Trash talk, cursing, vulgarity, gossip, arguments… Why would we talk like that?  We want things our way, we use it to intimidate or control…  What causes you to use bad language or harsh tones with teammates and others?  Sin, anger, frustration, selfishness…

·       What could lead to a heart change that would show up in how we speak to each other?  Repentance, confession of sin, apologies to those offended, prayer….

3.    Weekly Summary:

·       Thank your coaches for their taking on the responsibility of leading you and your teammates.

·       Deal with the foolish ways you speak.

·       Let God change your heart and watch how he will soon change your tongue.

Real Wisdom

James 3:13-18

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions. 

·       According to verse 13, how does one show his wisdom?  Good behavior and deed in gentleness.  Who does this on your team?  Name someone on your team and how he/she does it.

·       What are listed as destructive attitudes in teams at verses 14-26?  Bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogance…  How do they show up in the life of your team?  Arguments over small things, pettiness, gossip…  What brings these attitudes to the surface?  Competition, time spent together, conversations, frustrations, conflicts…

·       How can we grow the attitudes from verses 17-18 in our lives as Christian athletes?

·       Purity             Peace              Gentleness     By growing in our relationships with Christ.      

·       Reason                       Mercy             Fruitfulness   Through prayer, Bible study, fellowship…

3. Weekly Summary:

·       Display God’s wisdom in your life by good behavior and gentleness with people.

·       Beware of the destructive attitudes that can surface at any time.

·       Grow in godly character as you deepen your life of faith in Christ Jesus.

Team Conflicts

James 4:1-10

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       What lies at the source of the quarrels and disputes among members of your team?  Sin, selfishness, competitiveness, anger, rage…  Are they similar to the ideas in verse 1?  Yes.

·       According to verses 1-3, how could our selfish desires be conflicting with and hindering our prayers?  Our desires are in opposition to what God wants for us…What desires most often do this to you?  Desire for recognition, desire for perfection, desire for control, desire for power, desire for pleasure…

·       Who is the most arrogant athlete you’ve ever seen?  Tell us about him or her.  Why would God be opposed to such a person?  That attitude expresses no need for God…  What’s in the heart of such a person that leads to an arrogant expression?  Pride and sinful self-confidence.

·       Who is the humblest athlete you’ve ever known?  Tell us about him or her.  What are listed in verses 7-10 as attitudes that lead toward godly humility?  Submission to God, resisting the devil, drawing near to God, cleansing one’s hands from sin, purifying one’s heart from conflicted motives, serious minded self-control, humility in God’s presence.

3. Weekly Summary:

·       Search your heart for attitudes that will hinder your life of prayer.

·       Rid yourself of arrogant attitudes or you’ll find yourself with God for an opponent.

·       Embrace humility and you’ll find that God will give you more grace.

Pray for Your Teammates

James 4:11-17

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       In what situations do teammates often make judgements of each other?  When we lose and we expected more from the teammate.  When we’re frustrated and angry with his/her behavior…  What results from such judgements?  (vv. 11-12) We make ourselves to be judges of the Law, a position we’re not capable of fulfilling.

·       Who is an athlete you’ve known whose career or life was cut short by an injury or illness?  (vv.13-17) Tell us about him or her…   How did that affect you?  I was sad, I lost hope, I was thankful for my health, I felt sorry for him/her…

·       How can we take on the attitude seen in verses 15-17 as we pursue our athletic careers?  We can make plans, but make sure to leave room for God’s plan.  We can seek to fulfill God’s will above our own plans…

3. Weekly Summary:

·       Be careful before you judge your teammates, you may soon be in a bad position.

·       Be aware of the temporary nature of your athletic gifts.  They could be gone tomorrow.

·       Make your plans but keep God’s will in full view.

A Cry for Justice

James 5:1-6

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       Who, in the world of sports, is similar to the rich people in verses 1-6?  The most talented and gifted athletes.  Those who achieve athletically with apparent ease.

·       Where is injustice evident to you within your sport?  Distribution of resources, playing time, cheating…  How does such injustice make you feel?  Violated, cheated, angry, worth less than others…

·       How do we overcome those feelings and cultivate godly attitudes while such injustice exists?  Trust God more than those who seem to be in charge.  Pray and share the burden with God.  Ask God how to handle the injustices.

3. Weekly Summary:

·       If you’re the “rich” athlete, thank God for His gifts to you and be aware that the talents and gifts could easily and suddenly disappear. 

·       Expect injustice to exist in this broken world but deal wisely with your attitudes toward it.

Patience

James 5:7-12

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       What part of your sport requires the most patience?  (vv. 7-8) Waiting for the game, enduring practice, learning the playbook, dealing with teammates and coaches…  What is most helpful to you in building patience?  Encouragement from teammates, prayer, fellowship, Bible study…

·       What situations in your sport or on your team cause complaining?  (v. 9) Disagreements on game plan, practice schedules, drills, attitudes…  What happens inside you when someone is complaining?  I get angry, I complain about their complaints, I take offense at the complaint, I defend the coaches…

·       How are the prophets of the Old Testament good examples of patience to us?  (vv. 10-11) They were patient and waited on God to do His will…What are you patiently enduring as part of your sport or life in general?  Broken family situations, injuries, losing streaks, separation from family…

·       Why are we instructed to not swear or make oaths?  It’s foolish talk that tries to take God’s power and use for our purposes.  What would drive our hearts to want to speak that way?  Desire for control, perfectionism, hunger for power…

3. Weekly Summary:

·       Be patient and wait for God to do His will in your life.

·       Don’t fall into the habit of complaining, it will be a problem to your whole team.

·       Examine your heart’s attitudes, watch your tongue and don’t swear by anything.

Pray, Sing, Mourn

James 5:13-20

1.    (Read the text aloud.)

2.    Study Questions.

·       When have you been suffering with an injury and someone prayed for you?  (v. 13) Tell us about the situation and who prayed for you.  What happened?  How did you feel when the person prayed for you?  Relieved, anxious, peaceful, content, surprised…

·       How do you celebrate a great victory? (v. 13) Shout, party, relax with friends, share stories with teammates…

·       What sins would be appropriate for one to confess to others on his team?  See verse 16. Sins against the team or teammates.  Anything that could hinder my team or teammates.  How could such confession result in healing?  By restoring broken relationships, by building confidence in each other, by strengthening trust… What kind of healing takes place in our hearts when we confess sin?  Our fellowship with the Lord is renewed, our confidence in communication with God is restored, our conscience is cleared.

·       How can a teammate turn another away from danger and toward a better life? (v. 20) By warning him/her of the consequences of their behavior.  By awakening them from a situation that may have deceived them…  What sorts of sins are covered by turning him back?  A multitude (v.20).  What specifically?  Let’s list them…

3.    Weekly Summary:

·       Make room for prayer for teammates who encounter injury, illness or other difficulties.

·       Celebrate victories with your team and enjoy the good times.

·       Confess your sins to each other and pray for one another.  The whole team will benefit.

·       Turn your teammates away from danger.  You may save them a world of pain or even death.