Ask your young people if they have any highlights from the summer’s sporting activities. Were they surprised by any of the results? Were they cheering for obvious winners or for underdogs? Read this quote from Donald Trump;‘My whole life is about winning. I don’t lose often. I almost never lose.’ Ask:
- How important is winning to you?
- How do you feel if you lose?
- How do you think this attitude compares with Jesus?
Discuss whether there is more to life than winning. Share London 2012 Olympic gold medalist (for shooting) Peter Wilson’s thoughts: ‘Once you’ve won the Olympics you feel bizarrely empty. You feel you’ve won all your life’s ambitions in one go. The goal was always to win the Olympics and I was fortunate enough to do it at 25 so what the hell do I do with the rest of my life?’ Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-7 and ask:
- What do you think Paul is saying here?
- Do you agree with him?
- What do you think this means in practice?
Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee and is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games said this; ‘The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.’ Ask:
- Do you agree?
- What does fighting well look like?
As Christians, Jesus calls us to lay down our lives. If we are putting God first and trying to prioritise the needs of other people, does that mean that we should sacrifice winning? Read Philippians 2:3-4 and ask:
- How do you feel if a friend does well?
- How could we be more encouraging of others?
- What does godly competition look like?
If your young people are happy to, ask them to share a time when they lost at something. Ask them how they felt. Was it made worse or better by the people around them? Did they feel closer or further away from God at the time? Did they learn anything through the process? Share the words of Austrian actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and discuss; ‘Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.’
Great sporting achievement, acting prowess and musical talent is often rewarded with silverware. Does God reward us in the same way as the world or does the kingdom of God operate under a different currency? Define grace for your young people and then read Ephesians 2:8-9 together
End by praying for your young people – that they will be gracious in both wins and losses, putting others first and helping to point people to God. Pray also that they will be strengthened in trials and draw close to the God of comfort.
