I am a Competitor now and forever.
I am made to strive, to strain, to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.
I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.

I am a Competitor now and forever.
What is the dictionary definition of a Competitor? How does this compare with your definition of a Competitor?

When I was coaching we had a cartoon on the coaches’ office window that epitomized my view of a competitor. There was a frog inside the mouth of a pelican with one hand around the pelican’s neck. The caption read, “Don’t ever give up!”
Name one athlete or coach who fits your definition of a competitor.

Read 2 Samuel 23:8-17. Which definition of a competitor would be most accurate for David’s mighty men? Why?

What did the Lord do for Eleazar and Shammah in their battles (vv.10, 12)?

I am made to strive, to strain, to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.
What are you striving and straining for as an athlete/coach?

What is Paul “straining” for in Philippians 3:13-14? How does this apply to you as an athlete/coach?

Read 2 Kings 18:5-7. What was it that made King Hezekiah successful?

How do you think God defines success in the arena of competition? How can this be accomplished?

I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.
Does your definition of a Competitor from above conflict with what it means to be a Christian? Why or why not?

As Competitors in athletics, we must face our challengers head on, not shying away from anyone. We should fear no opponent. With that said, what does it mean to face our challengers with the face of Christ? (Read 2 Corinthians 4:6 to see if this helps.)

On a side note, as Christian Competitors, our challenger is not always the person lined up across from us. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers…the authorities…the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Similar to our preparation for competition, we must be prepared to take a stand against the devil and his schemes by putting on the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18).

Live It Out
What was one thing that struck you from this lesson? How can this help you be a Competitor for Christ?