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 connect our sport and faith this session will help us think about how we can fulfil the good plans and purposes God has prepared for us
Read
Read Ephesians 2:8-10
Reflect
What does it mean to be the handiwork/workmanship of God?
Explain
In 2:1-10 Paul gives a thorough explanation of the gospel helping his readers understand their desperate spiritual state and the steps God has taken to rescue us from our sin, retore our souls and renew us back into a right relationship with him. None of this was through our own work or effort but through the grace and mercy of God, in Christ Jesus.
In light of this, we now have the privilege to call ourselves his ‘handiwork’. Like a potter personally and purposefully crafts together a beautiful piece of clay, so too God, in Christ and through his Holy Spirit is working in us a masterpiece. But we aren’t to just simply sit still and wait to experience this change, rather we have the privilege of living it out in partnership with God. Through receiving this new identity in Christ we can trust that God has good plans for our lives, we can embrace our daily activities, including our sport and live them with freedom and gratitude trusting that God has a purpose in everything we face, whether that is lifting a trophy or recovering from an injury.
Discuss
How does this reminder of the gospel strengthen your love and faith in Christ today?
How does knowing God has a plan for your life impact the way you view your sport?
How does this truth support you through the highs and lows of sport?
Pray
Praise God for his grace and mercy to you in Christ Jesus
Ask him to strengthen your faith and trust that he has plans and purposes for your life, whatever you’re going through.
Pray that as you live out these good works he has prepared that you would shine brightly amongst your sports friends and this would lead to opportunities to share your faith
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.
