Virtuous Woman - Serving & TeamworkSample

Confidence

Character Goal: Confidence is full trust that God is who He says He is, will do what He promises, and that His Word is true.

Bible Characters: Elizabeth and Mary

Scripture Readings: Luke 1:5–25, 35–45

Discussion Questions:

• What does the passage tell us about Zechariah and Elizabeth?
• Who appeared to Zechariah when he entered the temple to burn incense before the Lord?
• What did Gabriel say when he appeared? What does this tell us about God?
• How did Zechariah respond to Gabriel’s message? Why do you think he responded in this way?
• When have you experienced doubt while you were competing? How did you handle it?
• What did the angel say would happen to Zechariah as a result of his unbelief?
• What kinds of things tempt us to not believe God or have confidence in God and His Word?
• How can we learn to put our confidence in God and what He says, regardless of our circumstances or discouragement from others?
• To be successful in your sport, you must be confident in your purpose and ability. How can you be confident without being cocky?
• What happened to Elizabeth and when? What does this teach us about God’s Word?
• What does Elizabeth say in response to the miracle that has occurred in her life? What does this tell us about her faith and relationship with God?
• What does Gabriel tell Mary after giving her the news that she would be the virgin mother of the Son of God? Why do you think that he shares this with her?
• What does the angel say about the Word of God? How can believing this affect our confidence in God?
• As women and athletes, what other things do we often choose to put our confidence in? What frequently happens as a result?
• How has placing confidence in the wrong things, ideas, or people affected you and your team?
• What do Elizabeth and Mary have in common? How can their stories of confidence in God encourage us in our seemingly impossible or difficult situations?
• What does this story teach you about God? His Word?
• What does this story teach you about God? Women? How can you apply these truths to your life?
• What is one thing I learned from this story that I can apply to my life before the next lesson?

Training for Godliness:

We often put our confidence in the wrong things: wins, physical strength, talented teammate, coaches. What happens when we become injured? Lose the big game? Have a losing season? The strongest player moves? A beloved coach transfers schools? We feel dejected, desperate, and lost, right? That is usually the point at which we realize we have put our confidence in the wrong things! God can be trusted as the person in whom we put our confidence. He will never disappoint us, never leave us, and never forget us. What are some ways you can know this truth for yourself? Find a Bible verse you can memorize to remind you where your true confidence can be found. One place to start is Psalm 20:7. What does this verse tell you about God? What does this verse tell you about where some place their trust? How does this verse encourage you to trust in God and not in things? Things go away, but God is forever! Find your own verse and apply it to your life.

Core Truths:

• No word of God will ever fail!
• Confidence in God is a moment-by-moment choice regardless of your circumstances.
• Seemingly impossible or difficult circumstances do not limit God’s activity in our lives. With God, all things are possible!

Memory Verse: “She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.” -Proverbs 31:21