Chapel - Complete Basketball Player

Chapel talk - Complete Basketball Player.

Prayer.

Introduction: What makes for a complete basketball player? Here's a list of qualities:

• Good footwork
• Can handle the ball
• Can shoot, pass, and rebound.
• Defends and can read defenses.
• Sets screens.
• Knows the game plan.
• Communicates.
• Plays with poise.
• Takes a charge.
• Can finish at the rim.
• Encourages, challenges, and leads his teammates.
• Continually develops:
• Physically
• Intellectually
• Socially
• Spiritually

This same sort of completeness and full development can be seen in Jesus' life at Luke 2:52. (Luke 2:52 aloud.) 

• Eighteen years of Jesus' life are wrapped up in this one verse.
• He grew in wisdom, that is intellectual development.
• He grew in stature, that is physical development.
• He grew in favor with God - that is spiritual development.
• He grew in favor with men - that is social development.

In the same way as Jesus continually developed to be a complete man, I would challenge each of you to commit to the same process. To be the person you were created to be, you must continue to develop throughout your lifetime.

Today, compete in a way that demonstrates your commitment to developing in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, and in favor with man. 

Prayer.

Chapel - We are on a Mission

Chapel talk - We are on a Mission.

Introduction: (Insert team name and sport) is on a mission to win the (insert conference name) championship. We are again and 0 and 0 as the conference season begins. We will take the first step on this mission today.

Prayer.

Jesus and His team were also on a mission and we can see His mindset in Luke 9:51-53. (Read Luke 9:51-53 aloud.)

• Jesus was in His final days.
• He was determined to go to Jerusalem, though he knew that death awaited his arrival.
• Some along the way would not pay the price to go along. The cost was too high.

(Insert team name and sport) is on a mission.

• The non-conference season is over and we have a __ game run to finish.
• I am watching to see how determined you are to complete our mission.
• Some teams we face will not be willing to pay the price, but I believe we have a team that is determined to be champions.
• Today is step one.

We are on a mission.

Prayer.

Chapel - We are Brothers

Chapel talk - We are Brothers.

Prayer.

Introduction: We have become teammates, and further, we have become brothers. We are brothers from different mothers.

Hebrews chapter 10 verses 23-24 inform us of some things brothers do for each other. (Read Hebrews 10:23-24 aloud.) The writer challenges us to:

• Hold tightly to your beliefs, because He who promised is faithful.
• Let us consider (think about)...
• How to provoke...
• Each other to love and good deeds.
• Let's all search for ways to bring the best out of each other.
• That's what brothers do.

Today, we are brothers.

• We hold tightly to the core values of (insert team name and sport).
• We will be faithful to the promises, the commitments we have made to each other.
• Let us consider our brothers:
• How to provoke them to love their teammates.
• How to provoke them to compete powerfully and to high levels of performance.
• Let's all search for ways to bring the best our of each other.

We are brothers.

Prayer.

Chapel - We are Dominant

Chapel talk - We are dominant.

Prayer.

Introduction: 

This is a great situation for our team:

• Perfect conditions
• A worthy opponent
• An opportunity to make a strong statement that, "We are dominant."
• This is who we are.

In the Old Testament book of Joshua, we see how a man quickly learned who was dominant in his world. (Read Joshua 5:13-15 aloud.)

• Joshua was a powerful leader.
• He sees this solitary man with a drawn sword in his hand.
• He asks, "Are you for us or the others?"
• The man replies, "Neither. I am the captain of God's army."
• Joshua bows and offers to serve the obviously dominant man.
• The dominant one gave orders to the powerful leader.

Let's draw some understanding from this brief story:

• The dominant one stands confidently, fully prepared.
• The dominant one makes a direct statement of identity.
• The dominant one dictates terms to the powerful.

As we compete today:

• We are well prepared to be dominant.
• We will make a direct statement of identity - "We are dominant."
• We will dictate terms to a powerful opponent.
• "We are dominant."

Prayer.

Chapel - Living Sacrifice

Chapel talk - Living Sacrifice

Prayer.

Introduction: The daily process of training, learning, and competing in sport is one made of sacrifice and discipline. This culture includes daily sacrifice of time, energy, pain, emotion, relationship, and convenience. It uniquely enables each of us for grasping the dynamic truth expressed in Romans 12:1-2.

(Read Romans 12:1-2 aloud.) The apostle Paul urged his brothers in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices. He described such sacrifice as holy, acceptable, as a spiritual service of worship. They were not competing in sport, but their daily activities were no more inherently holy, acceptable, and worshipful than yours.

The apostle went further by challenging them regarding their worldviews. He said to not be conformed to the world's way of thinking, but to be transformed through daily renewal of their minds. The result of that was to fully realize the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

I would similarly challenge you regarding your life in sport:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (living not dead).
• Through all the training and competition. 
• Through the eating and sleeping.
• Through the rest, riding on planes and buses.
• Through the pain, soreness, and fatigue.
• Your sacrifice is holy - it is set apart for God's honor.
• Your sacrifice is your spiritual service of worship - as much as music or any other cultural expression of worship.
• Do not be conformed to the world's way of thinking about sport. (eg win at all costs, "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying," or any other foolish way of thinking.)
• Have your minds renewed by daily transformation. (The Lord Jesus will shape your thinking about sport and all of life. If you will listen and obey.)
• Experience the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God as you compete. (The Lord is pleased to work out His will in your life.)

Therefore I urge you, (insert team name and sport), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Prayer.

Chapel - We are a Team

Chapel talk - We are a team.

Introduction: Since we began in preseason training, we have been developing into a team. We are now ready, dominant, relentless, and committed. We are on a mission. We are brothers, road dogs, resilient, determined, strong and loyal. Let's combine all these characteristics into being one, unified team.

Prayer.

This text from the book of James reminds me of this team and many individuals in it. (Read James 1:12 aloud.)

• Blessed is a man when he perseveres while under trial.
• Once approved he receives the crown of life.
• That crown is promised to those who love God; to those who are most highly committed.
• Kings wear crowns. Crowns are emblems of honor and respect.

This team, all season has persevered under trial. 

• We are blessed.
• We have been approved and are wearing a crown.
• We are in position to receive the promised crown,, emblematic of honor and respect.
• You have demonstrated great love and commitment.
• Wear your crown proudly today because, "We are a team."

Prayer. 

Chapel – Selfless

1 – Introduction – today we’ll talk about being selfless.   That’s the direct opposite of being selfish or having a “Me First” attitude.  Selfless people seek the best for others, before themselves.

2 – Read the text – Romans 12:3-5

·      Every man among us.

o   Don’t overestimate your importance.

o   Think with sober judgment.

o   God has given each of us a place on this team.

·      Your body is made up of many parts, but it is one body.  Each part has a particular function.  Each part does what it alone can do.

·      We are many in Christ and in this team, but we are one.

o   When one succeeds, we all benefit.

o   When one fails, we all suffer.

o   When one achieves, we all achieve.

o   When one acts selfishly, we all lose.

o   When one is suspended, we as a team are lesser.

·      All or goals remain within our reach.

·      We can be as good and can achieve as highly as we want.

o   If each one serves his team and teammates selflessly.

o   If each one fulfills his role to its fullest.

o   If each one will put the team’s best interest ahead of any selfish pleasures or foolish behaviors.

·      We will be champions this year if we will choose to honor our team by being selfless.

3 - Prayer