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 challenge us to think about why God has put us in our clubs and teams.
Read
Esther 4:13-17
Reflect
God is never explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, but even just in these verses where do you see Mordecai and Esther placing their trust in God?
Explain
Jewish people in exile, a plot to kill all the Jews in the empire, a very well-placed uncle and a very well-placed queen.
The drama of the book of Esther reaches it’s peak in chapter 4. Where Jews have found out that there is a plot to wipe out their people. But they have hope, the queen is a Jew too.
Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, brings her the news of the plot, and challenges her that maybe this is the very reason that she has been placed in the palace. As Esther goes to risk her life with the King, The Jews pray and fast for their sovereign God to glorify his name.
It might not always feel like God is obviously at work, but His has is sovereignly behind everything. The team you are in and the people you train with are not random but have been placed their by Him for His glory.
You can go into your club this week knowing that God has put you there ‘for such a time as this’. Praying as you go for his help, no matter the circumstances.
Discuss
How do you think Esther felt knowing the Jews were praying for her as she approached the king?
What would it look like this week to live trusting God has placed you where you are for a reason?
How does the ‘such a time as this’ mentality motivate you to pray?
Pray
Thank God for his sovereignty in all things.
Pray God would help you to make the most of where He’s put you this week.
Pray God would help you trust him as you step out.
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
Share these resources with your group at the end or immediately after the meeting to encourage them.
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.
Listen
How the Bible went viral in a rugby club
Watch
How do people become Christians today?
Read
