We’ve all experienced the excitement of playing games, whether it’s cheering during a football game or winning at our favorite board game. But one of the best parts of competition is having a team to compete with. The same could be said for the Christian life—with God as our coach and our community as our teammates, we can succeed in the game of life.

Before viewing the session, here are a few important things to look for in James’s and Coach Dungy’s teaching. As you watch, pay attention to how they answer the following questions.

• How did Coach Dungy describe the way he became part of “God’s team?”
• What are the four aspects of being part of God’s team?

Watch Session 1: God Wants You on His Team (14 minutes).

Coach Dungy learned it was possible to have a relationship with Christ in the sports world through a simple invitation to Bible study with his head coach and Steelers teammates.

In what way has your life been impacted by a simple gesture or invitation? What could it look like for you to invite someone to a Bible study or to church next week?

James made the point that in secular spaces, we’re taught to compartmentalize our faith and keep it contained to Sunday morning. But as believers, our life and faith are one and the same.

In what ways have you been told to compartmentalize your faith? What has it looked like for you to display faith in every different aspect of your life?

Coach Dungy was used to hearing that religion and politics aren’t for the workplace, but it was his football team and coach that showed him it’s possible to carry God with you everywhere you go.

How does it make you feel when your co-workers talk about political issues or religion at work? How often do you find yourself being part of those kinds of conversations?

Unlike football or any other sport, the game of life doesn’t take a break for time-outs or halftime. Everywhere you go, you are a representative of Jesus.

What could it look like for you to display your love for Christ in every environment you’re in?

Being on a team comes with responsibilities, including knowing the playbook. If a player doesn’t know the plays, they won’t be effective in the game.  In the same way, Christians must know the Bible, our “playbook.”

How have you studied the Bible in the past? What could it look like for you to dedicate more of your energy to studying and applying God’s Word?

God has a desire for everyone to come to him. As believers, we are called to bring others into the knowledge of Christ through evangelism and sharing Christ with those around us.

How could you be more intentional about bringing others onto God’s team? What does evangelism look like for you while at work or in your community? 

Coach Dungy reminded us that everyone on God’s team has different gifts, talents, and desires. Each of us has a specific role—some will be pastors and ministry leaders while others live for Christ as accountants, schoolteachers, or doctors.

Why is it important for God’s team to have diverse gifts?

Coach Dungy ended the session by encouraging us to take inventory of how we’re using our passions and talents to serve God. Because if we’re all focused on serving God to the best of our ability, our team becomes much stronger.

How are you using the talents and skills that God has given you to bring him glory? What do you think is your “role” on God’s team?

 What could it look like for you to encourage others to serve God well with their talents?

As Coach Dungy said, being part of God’s team brings new insight into our lives—we get a new identity and new teammates—what the Apostle Paul calls the body of Christ. Learning to live the Christian life alongside other believers is a major aspect of serving God and belonging to him. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12–26.

In this passage, Paul describes the way we as believers are unified in Christ, while also contributing diverse gifts, backgrounds, and perspectives to the church.

How does Paul describe the way we became one in Christ?

Being a child of God is not a solitary lifestyle—it’s a communal one. Verse 1 specifies that we’ve all been baptized by the same Holy Spirit and are all considered to be part of the same body.

When have you been tempted to live out your Christian faith alone? What has community, or having Christian companions looked like for you?

Paul explains that just like our physical bodies have different parts, like arms and legs, they’re still part of our one physical being. The body of Christ is similar in that we are all different but belong to the same God.

Considering Paul’s argument, why is it important to accept and uplift each other’s differences? In what way have you seen your church be impacted by the differing talents and abilities among the congregation?

Coach Dungy talked about the importance of knowing our roles on God’s team—specifically that our roles are different and that’s ok. Some people are called to work as Bible teachers and pastors, while others fulfill their roles outside of the church as engineers or bank tellers.

In what ways have you ever equated your Christianity with full-time “ministry?” How do these verses dispel the myth that Christians should all work in churches?

 Many times, we glorify certain abilities like teaching above other talents, making those who thrive in hospitality, compassion, or mercy feel less useful to God. But in these verses, Paul explains that our diversity is essential to our health and that no one gift is greater than another.

In what ways have you seen friends, or even yourself, diminish their own gift because of someone else’s talents? What could we learn from these verses about the value of every gift?

 In verses 15–20, Paul describes the importance that each body part brings to the table. Similarly, Coach Dungy reminded us that every Christian should excel in what they’re good at and focus on what God has given them.

What gifts has God given to you? How can you give yourself to cultivating those talents for God’s glory?

A good coach makes sure that every individual on their team has everything they need to be successful. In the same way, God not only wants us on his team but has given us everything we need to thrive in the game of life. Life will look different for all of us, but when we know that he’s equipped us with unique talents for his glory, we can stand firm in faith.

Consider Coach Dungy’s questions at the very end of the session. What talents do you have? What are your passions, and how can you make sure you’re using what God gave you to serve him well? This week spend some time thanking God for the way he’s provided what you need to be part of his team.

Read: Read and memorize 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.”

Write: This week, meditate on what James and Coach Dungy said about all that we have by being on God’s team. Use a journal or notepad to write down what you’re thankful to God for providing.

Pray: Pray and ask God to help you live in a way that reflects being on his team and encourages others to know him.

The Game of Life video can be viewed on RightNow Media. http://rightnowmedia.org