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 Pray Play Say Together as a group this session will remind us that we do so through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Read
Acts 1:1-11
Reflect
What stands out in these verses for you?
Explain
Luke used his gospel to write about all the things Jesus BEGAN to do and teach before his Ascension, and in the book of Acts Luke proceeds to explain all that Jesus CONTINUED and CONTINUES to do from the throne room of heaven through His Holy Spirit.
Before Jesus ascends, He promises His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit which he says will come upon them and when it does: ‘you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (v8)
As Jesus rules and reigns over all things in heaven, he does not leave us alone. He sends His Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to be able to live for Jesus in all things. For the Spirit brings new life encouraging, uplifting, challenging and edifying the Christian. In verse 8, it is the very Spirit of God that now empowers us to be witnesses in our sports clubs and teams to reach the world of university sport for Christ. This is not done in our own strength but the power of the Spirit of the living God who lives inside of us.
The angels encouraged the disciples not to stand and look, but to be proactive. Jesus has given us everything we need to follow His mission, so let’s go and be His witnesses.
Discuss
How are you encouraged by the Spirit-empowered nature of your witness in your sports club?
Where are you relying on your own strength rather than God himself who lives in you?
What could it look like for you to be proactive in looking for opportunities to share Jesus this week?
Pray
That we would be Spirit-empowered witnesses relying upon the living God and not ourselves.
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel this week with your clubmates
Pray for the sports clubs and teams at your university where you don’t know Christians – pray God would take the gospel to these clubs and teams.
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.
