bible study | 12.04.19
We may still be affected by Covid-19 but the need for our teammates to hear the gospel is as desperate as ever. That hasn't been put on hold like everything else. What does it look like to bring a sportsperson to hear the gospel in your current circumstances in sport? This session will help us think about this in more detail.
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
In verse 15, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 which refers to those who bring the exiles the good news of their imminent release from captivity in Babylonia. Here it is applied to those who bring the Good News of release from the captivity of sin.
Although some of us may have had bad experiences of hearing the gospel explained in a public setting, here we see that God uses people to proclaim His word and He uses His proclaimed word to save people. Discuss how you can give your sports friends an opportunity to hear God’s message in an environment in which they will listen.
As a group, discuss plans for the upcoming event. This could be either online (Big Online Quiz) or in person (Quiz, Dodgeball, Football tournament etc.) depending upon university and government guidelines in your region. Discuss how you would respond in these three scenarios:
PRE-EVENT - Your club Captain/Chairperson has given you a 30 second slot at training to announce the event. What you will say? What are the essentials to include?
You're posting in your club whatsapp group to invite people to the event - what will you write? How might you follow up the invite?
DURING EVENT - What questions could you ask post-talk to engage in a conversation with your guests? (Both online or in person)
You're on zoom... how could you enhance the likelihood of people listening to the talk?
POST EVENT – How might people react after the event? What is the best way you can follow up post event?
Remember, the role we have to play in people hearing the Good News about Jesus. Although it can be daunting to ask our friends to come to a Christian event, nothing is more thrilling than seeing our sports friends engage with Jesus Christ!
Who are you inviting to your next event at church or run by yourself? Who is going to hold you accountable for asking them? Pray with that person now for the courage to follow through on good intentions and for your sports friends to hear about Jesus and respond to Him in faith.
All Bible quotations are taken with permission from the NIV:
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Christians in Sport is a UK based charity that aims to reach the world of sport for Jesus. We mainly work with sportspeople in competitive and elite sport.
Registered Charity England and Wales 1086570.
Registered Charity Scotland SCO45299.
Company number: 4146081
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Unit D1, Frampton House
Telford Road Industrial Estate
Bicester, OX26 4LD
01869 255630
info@christiansinsport.org.uk