Seven to 8 million Americans hold multiple jobs. That’s nothing special. But how many of those millions can say that they suit up in NFL pads to clock in for their first job and in scrubs for their second? Probably only one: Samkon Gado.

My junior year of college, a young man I knew for only a week came into my room and after 40 minutes broke down in tears. Men don’t cry, especially young, proud, college men like Shawn.

Later, after we talked through the issues of life and God, I realized there were more “Shawns” out there. Young men, old men — men of all ages — all bound together by similar challenges and struggles. And no matter where they are in life, the remedy is the same: today’s men are  desperately in need of their heavenly Father.

Every sport has them—those pesky but necessary “do’s and don’ts” otherwise known as rules of the game and rules of the team. No matter how much you sacrifice and how focused you are in aiming at the goal, your competitive dreams are put at risk the moment you do something that contradicts the rules. There are no shortcuts to success as an athlete or in life. Sooner or later, it will catch up with you.

Goal
To help students understand God’s view of drugs, alcohol and tobacco; to help students realize that the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco has negative consequences; and to motivate students to live a life that honors God.

Key Scriptures
2 Timothy 2:5; Psalm 119:9-11

Warm Up
Break up into small groups. Assign each group a scripture from the list of Bible references on the dangers of drinking. (See end of lesson for list of Scripture references.) Have each group determine a lesson to learn from its Scripture and how it relates to their lives. Ask two or three groups to share with everyone.

Watch

Get It!

The focus of this day is to understand that in order to GET a Mission in life, you must understand what truth is and where you can find it.

Warmup

Fill out the following “Press Guide” with the top five things that are true about you (height, weight, position, favorite sport, favorite food, year in school, hobbies, number in family, etc.)

Share these things with a partner and discuss how you know the statements are true.

Give it!

The focus of this day is to understand that once you GOT IT, you must GIVE IT in order to experience your true Mission.

Warmup

Design a practice jersey that would illustrate your Mission in life. Make sure to include your Mission’s “battle cry” (i.e. “All for One!,”
“It’s gonna take all of me, “Watch Out – I Got It!”)

With a partner share what your practice jersey looks like and your Mission’s “battle cry.”

Goal
Being a champion is not easy. If it were easy, we’d all be champions. True champions do not just “rise to the occasion.” In actuality, their hard work meets the opportunity to succeed. When the competitor pays the price of practice, preparation and persistence, a champion is made. Here we discover the disciplines that define the champion, not just success in the contest but significance in a life of victory.

Key Scriptures
I Timothy 4:7-8; Acts 17:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Joshua 1:6-8; Psalms 119:9-11

Warm Up

Orioles Second-base man  Brian Roberts talks about priorities, decision making, and keeping God the center of your life.

• As a young athlete Brian said his career and life were out of control. How easy is it to get out of control in your life? What leads you to living that way?
• Living the dream as a professional athlete, he made baseball his god. What is god in your life right now? How did it get that way?
• How do we get so wrapped up in living for ourselves and not for God?
• Read Isaiah 44:6. How do you need to put this verse into practice in your life?
• Brian confessed to making poor decisions. When you find yourself in that place, how do you get yourself out of it? Where does God fit into that equation?
• What areas of your life are you putting before you relationship with God?

• Coach Coale talks about being a part of her program as more than just being a player in it. What was she referring to with that point?
• How can sport teach you more about life and the skills necessary to make it in the world today?
• Why does she feel responsible for passing on these life skills to her players?
• Read 1 Timothy 4:6-8. Athletic training is important to an athlete. Why is spiritual training more important?
• What do you think godliness means? How is godliness beneficial in every area of your life?
• Coach Coale believes it is important not only to prepare her players for what is next, but wants them to apply it themselves.