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Refuel 3

 

“AND TO KNOW CHRIST’S LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE, SO THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH ALLTHE FULLNESS OF GOD.”—EPHESIANS 3:19

So far, we’ve learned studying God’s Word and prayer can help refuel your spirit daily. Much like a workout, we must work hard on our own, but we’re not always expected to do it alone. God designed us to thrive in community.

Let’s start this huddle with a different kind of relay race. We will break the group into teams of three or four people. Anyone left without a group will race alone. If there are no leftover runners, we will break up one of the groups in order to ensure we have some solo competitors.

On my command, the relay race will begin to a destination of my choosing (flag pole, telephone pole, tree, basketball goal, etc.) and back to our location. Each team member will run to that destination and back one time. Those who are running alone will have to run equal times to and from the destination.

Q: For those running alone, how did having to do all the work by yourself make the relay more difficult?

Q: For those running with a team, how did knowing you had other runners on your team impact the way you ran your leg of the race?

FIRST-CENTURY TEAM UP 

“THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING, TO FELLOWSHIP, TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD, AND TO PRAYER.NOW ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE TOGETHER AND HELD ALL THINGS INCOMMON.—ACTS 2:42,44

The first-century Christians were studying Scripture and praying together, as we’ve learned already. Community was another key fuel for the early Church. These believers had no one else to lean on. They had to team up to strengthen one another as the Church grew through them, and as persecution was soon to come.

A few years later, the writer of He brews wrote about the importance of Christian community:

“AND LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO PROVOKE LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT NOT NEGLECTING TO GATHER TOGETHER, AS SOME ARE IN THE HABIT OF DOING, BUT ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER, AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.“—HEBREWS 10:24–25

FUEL UP WITH COMMUNITY

No matter your sport, you can’t succeed without support from coaches, teammates, trainers, mentors, family members and friends. Likewise, community with other believers is a key to your spiritual success.

To find community, you’ll want to find a local church where other believers can help you in your Christian walk. A church is where you can find a pastor and other Bible teachers. It’s good to find a mature believer who will mentor you and to surround yourself with like-minded friends and family to encourage you as you grow.

Here are some benefits to fueling up with community:

  • Accountability: Be open and allow other believers to help you stay on the right path (James 5:16).
  • Encouragement: Let them speak words of life to you(1 Thessalonians 5:11).
  • Provision: Be willing to help other sand be helped by others(Galatians 6:10).
  • Strength: Find strength in that community(Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Q: What does community look like for you as an athlete?

Q: How can community help you refuel as a follower of Christ?

Refueling daily is important as an athlete and a believer.

“IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE HIMSELF IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN.”—1 JOHN 1:7

Together, our walks are stronger and more meaningful. Think about what you are missing without community and think about finding one. If you need help finding community, let us or a coach know. It’s that important.

(Prayer & Break the Huddle)