Welcome & Vision | 5 Mins
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).
Remind those graduating to fill in this form using a non-university email address so Christians in Sport can stay in touch with them after they leave university.
Prayer & Evangelism | 10 Mins
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.
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.
Reach the world of sport for Christ | 20 Mins
Intro
As we continue to reach the world of university sport for Christ this session will help us consider how we can use words that are distinct and different from the culture around us.
Read
Reflect
What is the language of your sports club? What words do you hear frequently being used and why do people say them?
Explain
The words that we use and the way that we say them really matter in sport. A captains team talk before the first whistle, the coaches half time chat, the word of encouragement when a teammate makes a mistake, a challenge to your team to raise their game. In the culture of sport people can be very direct and at times rude and unhelpful. Whether its swear words during competition or gossip afterwards it is helpful to consider what we’re saying and why we’re choosing those words.
After reminding the church in Ephesus of the truth of the gospel in chapters 1-2, Paul moves towards helping them consider how they can live as children of light. He recognises the way that many unbelievers communicate with one another, speaking words that pull people down, or are hurtful and harsh. As a follower of Jesus he wants us to imitate Christ and allow his Spirit to transform the words we use in our everyday lives.
As we live in our culture of sport but choose to follow God’s way, we can shine brightly for Christ through the words we say. Being able to motivate without using a swear word is distinct and will cause people to wonder. Moving a conversation away from gossip and slander is different and kind and can leave a mark of love on those in the conversation.
Discuss
How do you find the area of language in your sport? Do you find it hard not to conform to what others say around you?
How does reminding ourselves of Jesus’ loving kindness to us help us seek to use kind and loving word to others?
What can you put in place to help you use words that build up? Share experiences of alternative words, or helpful tools which support you as you live out your faith.
Pray
Repent of the times when you have fallen into sin with the words you have used in your sports club.
Ask God to continue to transform your heart and help you speak words of love that build people up and encourage those around you.
Pray for gospel conversation to come from a friend in your sports club asking you questions about the way you encourage others around you.
Notices | 5 Mins
Update everyone on the key messages for the week. These might include:
Promoting your evangelistic event for the term
Reminding people about carol services and other events the group can make use of.
Resources to share
Encourage group members to sign up for Back Pages Online to stay up to date with the latest videos, blogs, stories, podcasts and prayer content from Christians in Sport.
