KNOW THE WHO

WARM-UP

Just like athletes need to have the right teammates to achieve the greatest success, believers also need to have the right teammates helping them grow closer in their relationship with Christ. In other words, answering the question of “who” we have in our lives is essential. 

The apostle Paul gives us a great example of what it looks like when we surround ourselves with the right kind of spiritual teammates:

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).

WORKOUT

A Spiritual Dream Team

Some might argue that Jesus didn’t need a team. But what He did need was a group of committed teammates who could go out and do the work of spreading His message after He was gone.

One of the best examples of Jesus and the disciples engaging in teamwork can be found in John 6:1-13. Jesus had been teaching a large group of people along the seaside and could sense that they were getting hungry. There was no way they could afford to buy food for everyone, but then Andrew approached Jesus with some news. There was a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish--but that wasn’t nearly enough, right?

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. (vv. 10-13)

Not only did Jesus demonstrate miraculous faith, but He also allowed them to take part in the miracle and work as a team to take care of the people.

At the same time, by having disciples or a great team to follow Him, it’s possible that Jesus was simply showing us the importance of having teammates to support us throughout our Christian walk.

Q: What kind of people do you usually pursue to be your friends?

Q: Would you say that your friends are helpful or not when it comes to the spiritual aspects of your life? Explain.

WRAP-UP

Pursue Team

If you’re ready to take the next step in your faith journey and if you understand that you can’t go it alone, consider these three steps that will help you gain the benefits that come when you pursue a righteous team.

1. Evaluate the Team. Decide what kind of teammates will best help you grow in your faith and reach your full potential as a follower of Christ.

Read Proverbs 13:20.

2. Draft the Team. Find those people that can help you and ask them to be an active part of your faith journey.

Read Proverbs 12:26.

3. Commit to the Team. Be accountable to those on your team and your Christian leaders who want to help you. Stay committed to the process. Listen to their advice and follow it to the best of your ability.

Read Proverbs 19:20

As you surround yourself with trustworthy teammates, you’ll be able to be better equipped to live out the encouragement given in our theme verse: 1 Timothy 6:11.