Practice makes perfect shows that without good practice you can't expect to succeed in sports, but the same is true in your Christian life also. You can't just half prepare and expect to be a successful Christian.
URL: https://youtu.be/eI92sWLcDIo
SUMMARY
In this video we see two teams. The first team is obviously a joke of a team. They do not train well. They do not study well. They do not put forth effort to get better. Even when at practice they are focused on other things, talking and texting, playing games, and leaving early. They are not willing to sacrifice for the team or take a hit in the game. However, the second team is what a team should be like. They are putting forth effort, they are studying the playbook, they are changing their lifestyles to become stronger and healthier. They are working out, they are working in practice and out of practice to get better.
In this video we want the students to understand the importance of practice for Christians also. Just like a football player can’t be successful without practicing right a Christian can’t be successful without practicing right and taking practice seriously. Sadly, we are a lot like the first team though we do not practice the way we should. We seldom study our playbook, the Bible. Which we need to do so we know what it says so we know right from wrong, how to lead others to Christ, how to answer questions people may have, how to apply it to life, and so much more. We also so often do not take practice or church seriously. We show up but we play on our phones or talk during it or think about the bachelor or lunch. Many also skip practice or church by not coming every time or not coming to Sunday school and other activities. We also do not do things like the second team and practice outside of church the way we need to because to be a successful Christian we must prepare at home also not just when at church.
We also aren’t willing to sacrifice and take a hit for the team. If it means missing a day at the lake, watching a show, missing someone's post, someone making fun of us, or really anything we want to do we are out just like the first team, but as Christians we must be willing to put these things aside for God.
For this lesson, some big things to hit will be how Christians should prepare and how not to prepare for being a Christian so we will be ready to face the world. We also need to make sure the students know why it is important to prepare. It is important because if we aren't prepared, we won't know what to do, we won't be able to lead others to Christ, we won't be abe to answer questions about our faith, we will be led astray easily, and we won't be able to stand on our faith. We also need to make sure the students know why it is important to be part of a team of believers in church and with accountability partners. In both situations it helps us learn from each other and hold each other accountable and gives us help when needed. Also, because just like one person can’t win a game alone one Christian alone can't either. We need to work together. We can also point out the importance of having a coach, which for us is God. Just like a team needs a coach to learn from and know what to do so do we because God teaches us and he directs our paths and shows what to do. Also, just like when a team doesn’t listen to a coach and does the wrong play, they end up losing when Christians don’t listen to God it blows up to and we are not successful as Christians then. Also, in the video, we see the coach say that the players know what they are supposed to do, so why aren’t they doing it? As Christians we also do this. We know how we should prepare and live, so why aren’t we? Also, make sure they sure they know they know to be part of the team they must first join it. So, we must be saved to join God's team.
Helpful Questions
If you had to bet, would you bet that the team in the beginning of this video would win?
Why do you think they wouldn’t win?
Is good practice and preparation important? Why?
Do you practice and prepare for being a Christian the way the first team did? Or the second team did?
How should a Christian practice and prepare?
What are some distractions we may have to practicing right?
Why is it important to practice and prepare as a Christian?
Is it important to be part of a team as a Christian?
What does a good Christian team look like?
Is it important to have a good coach? Who should a Christians coach be?
What happens when someone doesn’t listen to the coach? What happens when someone doesn’t listen to God?
BACK IT UP
How Should I Prepare?
Ephesians 6:10-18 / Hebrews 5:14 / Philippians 4:9 / Colossians 4:2 / Philippians 4:5-7 / 1 Peter 2:2-3 / 1 Timothy 4:13 / Hebrews 10:5 / Acts 3:19 / Ephesians 4:22-24 / Galatians 5:25
Why Do We Prepare?
Luke 9:23 / 1 Peter 3:15 / 2 Timothy 3:16 / 2 Timothy 2:15 / 1 Peter 1:13 / 1 Peter 3:15 / Matthew 25:1-13 / Matthew 24:44 / Psalms 119:105
Be Part Of A Team?
Ecclesiastes 4:9 / Proverbs 27:17 / 1 Peter 4:10/ 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 / Ephesians 4:11 / Luke 10:1 / 1 Corinthians 1:10 / 1 Corinthians 12:14
Importance Of A Good Coach (God)
Proverbs 3:5-6 / Jeremiah 29:11 / Philippians 4:13 / 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 / 1 John 3:20 / Romans 8:28