Session 8: Walking Forward
Suggested Week of Use: October 20, 2019
Core Passages: Ephesians 4:11-16
News Story Summary
Following a 41-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on September 15, Cincinnati Bengals’ coach, Zac Taylor, gave the response below to the following question: As a coach, how do you get players mentally focused?
“These guys believe in themselves, so I don’t think it’s going to be a challenge to get them refocused. On Tuesday or Wednesday when they come back in the building, I don’t think that’ll be a problem with what we’ve seen from our guys so far. Now, it’s just regrouping, learning from those mistakes, and not letting them beat us again next week. It’ll be a different opponent with different schematics, and we just have to rebound and play much better.”
NOTE: The Bengals lost the next four games..
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the phrase “Bengals September 15 post game quotes.”)
Focus Attention
To supplement the Introduction idea under Focus Attention, share the news story summary. Ask: What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of Coach Taylor’s plan to refocus the Bengals team? Explain that despite the optimism of Coach Taylor, the Bengals lost 4 straight games. Ask: What might Coach Taylor say now to inspire his team? Complete the step as written.
Challenge
Before the Conclude idea in Summarize and Challenge, remind group members of the news story summary. Explain that frequent loses of a sports team can substantially impact the morale of the players. They may be gifted players, but confidence in their ability to perform may be reduced. Ask: What indicators point to a lack of morale of church members? How can church leaders ensure that confidence and motivation of Christians are strong? Complete the step as written.