Gospel-Centered TeammatesSample

Gospel-centered teammates are skillful

Let’s catch up on where we are at in the story of Jonathan. He decides to take matters into his own hands and attack the Philistines. He makes his plan to attack the Philistines known to his armor-bearer. Upon hearing this, his armor-bearer says “I am with heart and soul.” So what does Jonathan do next? 

He attacks. 

While Jonathan will be remembered because of what he did for David later in the story, it can be easy to forget an important truth about him. He was a beast. Jonathan was a skillful warrior. We forget this because 1 Samuel spends so much time talking about how he supported and loved David. But Jonathan was not a junior varsity athlete vying for a varsity spot. The kid was all-state. He was great at what he did. 

Why is this important?

Because it’s easy to assume that the “great teammates” are just the role players. We figure they have to be great teammates because that’s the role they fill on the team. But that’s far from the truth. Being a Gospel-centered teammate isn’t limited to the armor-bearers and those who ride the bench. If you are reading this and play a key role on your team, it is still your responsibility to be the best possible teammate you can be. Jesus is the ultimate example of this. Philippians 2:7 speaks to this: “but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” 

Regardless of our standing on the team, when we die to ourselves to serve others, we become Gospel-centered teammates because we follow the path of Jesus. 

Questions to consider:

1. Is your 100% effort contingent upon how much playing time you get?
2. If God were watching your games and practices (and He is!), would he be pleased with the way you are stewarding the athletic gifts He has given you?