Week 5: I Can Trust God’s Word

1. Show of hands–who here likes to be told when they’ve done something wrong?
2. Has being corrected ever helped you be a better athlete or a better person?

I think we can all relate that it doesn’t feel great when we’re corrected for doing something wrong. A criticism can sting, especially if it’s coupled with a stern or aggressive tone.

As your coach, whenever I give you a correction, I do my best to ensure that it comes with a positive attitude and an encouraging tone. If I simply yelled at you every time you made a mistake, it would not bring about a positive change. So, my aim is to provide feedback but in a way that is positive and loving.

Show of hands—who here likes to receive encouragement about how they play?

Let’s take a minute and say some encouraging words to the players next to you.

When I put together a game plan for the team, I do so in a way that encourages you to do what’s right. My hope is that you will have trust in me as your coach so that you can carry out the game plan I have set before you.

Let’s take a poll: Show of hands, who trusts my game plan (pause for a few answers)?

Which one do you think is true: do I make game plans to help us win or lose (pause for a few answers)?

Believe me, my goal here is to help you succeed. My hope is to steer you in the right direction with my positive critiques, wisdom, and well thought out game plans. At the end of the day, I just want the best for you as an athlete on this team.

In the same way, God has put together everything we need to know about our lives in the Bible or what we also call God’s Word. But He does so from a place of love, compassion, and encouragement. Our God is not a mean or harsh Father. He is our loving leader and encouraging guide.

Let’s listen to 2 Timothy 3:16a closely. It says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true.”

Now, based on what we know about God, that He is a loving, wise, and encouraging Father, do we believe what this verse says? Our answer should be yes.

Here’s my point: we know that we can trust what’s in the Bible because it’s coming from a God who is loving, wise, and wants us to be more like Him. God’s Word helps us to understand what is true in a world full of imposters and misdirection.

Say it with me: God’s Word teaches us what is good and right.

Here’s another example in the Bible:

Psalm 33:4 says, “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.”

When we know what is true and what is good and right, we can make good choices in order to live out God’s great purpose for our lives!

Remember the trust fall exercise we did last week? Keep in mind that God is always there to catch us. He is our loving protector. We can trust Him. Because we can trust Him, we can also trust that His Word, the Bible, is true, good, right, and will ultimately guide us in the right direction.

Let’s Huddle up a little closer. Repeat after me. When I say, “I can trust God’s Word!” you say, “Because it is good and right.”

Let’s shout it so the whole gym can hear us (repeat the chant three times increasing in volume after every set).

Now, let’s close in prayer together: “Dear God, thank You for giving us the Bible. Help me to learn the truth of Your Word so that I can trust You more and more every day. Amen.”