Skip to main content

Week 1: Introduction

Coach's Corner

Warm-Up

Hey friends! I am so excited learn about God’s Greater Plan over the next few weeks of the season! But first, let’s huddle up and pray together:   

“Father God, thank you for this team. Thank you that you are greater than anything we can do. Help us to be more like you and follow your Greater Plan for our lives. Amen!  

Let’s start this session with a story—made up by all of you!  

This icebreaker can be used with a large or small group. Ask the athletes to sit in a circle.  

Give each person three pieces of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask them to write down the name of a person, place or thing on each and fold the paper in half. Collect the paper and put them in a bag or bowl and mix them up.  

The coach should draw a piece of paper and start the story by saying, “Once upon a time…”and use the word on the paper in a sentence. Pass the papers around the circle, with each person drawing a paper and adding to the story, one sentence at a time. The story is done when all the papers are drawn and each athlete has a chance to add to the story!    

Workout

As competitors, we always dream of something Greater. Our identity becomes about our performance–how well we play, not who we are. The pressure to succeed fuels our purpose to compete every day.  

In Christ, we have a Greater potential than what is on a scoreboard. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we have the promise of a new life. We no longer compete for something Greater, but for Someone Greater. We play with a new purpose: He must become Greater, and we must become less.  

That is what is outlined in our theme verse:   

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30    

Say it with me, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Say it again, even louder! “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  

That is the journey we are going to study over the next few weeks. It’s our own “Once upon a time” story!  

Once Upon a Time… I found my identity in sports and how I performed.  

And Every Day…I felt the pressure to win was greater than what I could handle.  

And Until One Day… I realized my purpose is found in Christ.  

And Now… I play and compete for someone greater.   

There’s a better way to find your purpose, and it’s found in Someone Greater—Jesus Christ!  

Wrap-Up

Huddle up and shout out together, “God’s Greater Plan!” then break the Huddle.