Youth Sport - Update

NEWS AND VIEWS 50 people linked to Christians in Sport will be running the Rome Marathon on Sunday to raise money for Christians in Sport and Game of 2 Halves. Read more here The Youth Team and Academy were taking part in school missions at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh and Stowe School in Buckinghamshire this week. One Day Sports Plus Camps are coming up in Perthshire, Belfast and Oxfordshire. Book your place now!	PLAYER PROFILE
BIBLE BIT Different Identity We discussed last week how we have been created by God and we are his creative possessions. We have a *created identity* given to us by God. But I know I find it really hard to keep this perspective when I step out onto the pitch and try and play in a way which reflects my *created identity. In what ways do you struggle as you play?* Language Banter with team mates Attitude to your coach Attitude to the referee Foul play Opponents Did you see the Arsenal and Chelsea players brawling in the Carling Cup final? Even the professionals struggle to keep their cool in different areas! There are loads of areas in which we will struggle. But if we really understand our *created identity* then we should desire to have a *different identity* from what we see around us in our sports. Listen to what Peter says on this: ‘As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.’ 1 Pet 1v14-15 What is Peter saying here? He is telling us to have a *different identity* from those around us. He is saying that because we are children of God, then we should not live the way we used to before we knew God - by pleasing ourselves and living as the world around us. In fact, he uses the word holy. This means set apart or separate. Peter is saying to us that we must be distinctive in all we do. Every action on the sports field must be different from how we used to live and from those around us. We can’t change ourselves in these areas – only God can change us and we must ask him to help us. What does this look like for us this week? - Ask God to help you specifically in the area where you struggle. - Pray about it before you go to training or play a match. - Ask one of your good mates to keep you accountable in this area by asking you about how you did after each session or match. - Read God’s word to find out more about your *different identity* as you play for him this week!	Name: Sarah Edgar Nicknames: tink, tinky winky, tinkerbell Sport: rugby, hockey and bit of footy Sport status: I play forward for my college, hooker and no.8 for the Armagh under 18's at the minute and when I turn 18 I will move in to our senior squad as hooker. I also got the chance to play Ulster rugby last year for under 21's playing hooker. Story: Being 1 of only 3 Christians on the team, I try to be both on and off the field a witness to my other team mates and friends who I play with, and I hope with in time I will be given the chance to talk to a few of them about Christ. I am also praying for one of my team mates who I know feels far from God and I hope that she will come back, as she sees both me and 2 other Christians playing along side her.
	PRAYER POINTS Think about an area you struggle with in your sport - ask God to help you. Pray for Sarah Edgar as she represents Jesus in her sport. Pray that she would have opportunities to tell her friends about her faith. For the 3 friends that you’re praying for every week.
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