Chalk Talks: 5 Minute Sports Team Devotionals

Last year I borrowed an idea from the Midland Christian football team called "First Things First."  I wrote 5 minute team devotions for our 4th grade Patriots.  We took the first 5 minutes of the first practice each week and laid in a biblcial value for the week.  I used a whiteboard that had the title, scripture written out, and bullet points for the day.  Every week we:

• Laid in a biblical value
• Pointed players to Jesus
• Encouraged obedience to parents
• Encouraged best effort at school
• Illustrated how the value applies to the sports environment

Our coach invited me to continue that tradition this year.  This morning I was able to crank out 13 devotionals for the upcoming season straight from the book of Hebrews.  Here are the titles:

Week 1:  We are Brothers (Heb 2:11)

Week 2:  Protect This House (Heb 3:4-6)

Week 3:  Encourage One Another (Heb 3:12-13)

Week 4:  Listen!

Week 5:  Be Bold - Get Help (Heb 4:16)

Week 6:  No Laziness (Heb 6:12)

Week 7:  Persevere (Heb 10:35-36)

Week 8:  Stick to the Plan (Heb 10:36)

Week 9:  We Don't Quit (Heb 10:38-39)

Week 10: Believe (Heb 11:1)

Week 11: Run the Race (Heb 12:1)

Week 12: Discipline is Your Friend (Heb 12:10)

Week 13: Follow Your Leaders (Heb 13:7)

As a part of 3:23 Ministries, we hope to write enough of these chalk talks to publish and provide these resources to coaches of all sports and ages.  As much fun as we have each season, it's so much bigger than the sport we happen to be playing at the time.  Let's make disciples!