LESSON 8: LITTLE THINGS MATTER

Ready

“The kingdom of God . . . is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants” (Mark 4:30–32).

Set

The “Butterfly Effect” theory likely originated from studying tornadoes.

Scientists noticed how very minor changes in the weather and conditions produced drastic effects, such as tornadic conditions. These minor changes were seen as far back as weeks earlier in the smallest of variations, such as how butterflies changed their flapping patterns. Hence the theory became known as the butterfly effect.

The butterfly effect has implications in sports. Little things matter in games and practices, don’t they?

How seriously we take a mundane task like hitting off a tee in baseball or softball can result in going through the motions (getting little benefit) or focusing and taking each tee drill seriously (improving our technique and maximizing quality reps).

On the basketball court, it may be choosing to hang out before practice versus shooting some extra free throws. The great players pay close attention to little things, for little things matter.

Did you know the butterfly effect is not just wise, but biblical too? It is biblical in a positive and negative way.

The Bible gives examples that what we may view as “little” sins or indiscretions make a big difference. For example, we’re told to “avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. ...” (2 Timothy 2:16–17). In other words, a “little” gossip or inappropriate language leads to ungodly actions and spreading gossip in a way that hurts people.

The prophet Hosea says it this way: “They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7). The people believed they were sinning in small ways, yet the consequences of those “small” sins would be great. To be clear, there is no such thing as small sin, for all sin can bring devastating consequences. Little things matter—the butterfly effect.

The butterfly effect is also biblical in a positive way.

In Mark 4, Jesus tells a parable about the kingdom of God. He compares it to a mustard seed. He says a mustard seed is a very small seed, but it “grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants” (Mark 4:32). Jesus has told a series of parables about seed planting. He is telling the people that sharing the gospel, sharing our faith, is like planting seeds. Little seeds produce big plants and crops. In sharing our faith, we never measure the results. We simply plant the seeds and trust God to cultivate and grow it.

Little things matter.

Go

1. How does the butterfly effect apply to our training and playing in sports?
2. What does the butterfly effect tell us about the importance of avoiding temptation, even when the sin appears to be “small”?
3. What does the butterfly effect tell us about the importance of sharing our faith with others and whether we should measure our success by results?