Soccer Life Lessons by Baller Athletics

Baller soccer LIFE LESSONS scripture quotations taken from the holy bible: new international version, english standard version, and new living translation. no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the organization, baller athletics.

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 LIFE LESSONS:

THe source of your skill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 love your opponent vs competitiveness . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 the power of influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 down but not out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 athletics is worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 redeem the sport .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 the worst penalty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 the great substitute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 gospel summary ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12

INTRODUCTION WELCOME TO BALLER SOCCER. Baller Athletics is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to cultivating sports culture, the athlete and the sport. We are driven by the vision of being apart of the mission of God, spreading the gospel of Jesus, and seeing God worshiped in all of life. We hope to encourage you to be the best you can be with the gifts and talents God has given you. God is honored in that pursuit. However, there is much in athletics that is not honoring to God. Athletics are not the problem. The problem is our sin and how it destroys all things in our culture. The solution is your life and a culture transformed by God so you can play and live life the way it was intended to be. This booklet was written to encourage you to be the best you can be in athletics and in life. Sincerely,

THE SOURCE OF YOUR SKILLS What is the source of your skill in soccer? Have you ever thought about that? You work hard on improving on your skills and game. Where does that ability come from? The following quote is from God: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have specifically chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.â&#x20AC;? Exodus 31:2-3 (NLT)

Principle: Bezalel was skilled in making all kinds of crafts and the design of elements for worship services. The Bible says that the source of his skill and talents were from God. In soccer, there is so much skill to admire. From the dribbling speed of breakaways, to the precise cross field passes, to the powerful shots on goal. Skillful playing can be developed but the source of the skill are gifts from God.

Keys Be creative and develop the skills given to you by your creator. When you perform or witness a great display of skill, admire the artistic ability, thank God and pray that the source of all skill is recognized and honored. Pray and ask God to continue to give you the ability to grow in your soccer skills and creativity. Thank God for His gifts.

love your opponent vs competitiveness Is there a conflict in loving your opponent and being competitive? Sometimes we have an imbalance in our thinking on this topic. We either see the extreme of being too competitive in athletics or not being competitive at all in the name of love. The Bible says the following: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.â&#x20AC;? Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)

Principle Balance in our competition is key. We should desire a solid opponent to compete against and to challenge us. Playing well against an opponent is not wrong and helps develop both of your talents. The issue is how you play. Compete with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated.

Keys to playing with love and competitiveness You can love your opponent by playing your hardest, fairly within the rules. By doing so you force them to be the best players they can be. Play fair, respectful, and in an honorable way. Treat other players as you would want to be treated. Ride in a way that honors the sport and God. Pray to God to help you with balancing out loving other players and competing in soccer.

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE Is it difficult for you to submit to authority, whether if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a coach, at school, or home? The Bible says the following: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone must submit to governing authorities. for all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.â&#x20AC;? Romans 13:1 (NLT)

Principle Submitting to authority is important because God has established this order and what God establishes is good. But honoring authority is also important because of the opportunities of influence and mentoring that are available to you. Instead of rejecting the authorities in your life, embrace them and learn all you can.

Keys to honoring authorities Have a good attitude toward your coaches and other authorities in life. Listen, respect, learn, and welcome correction, despite mistakes authorities make. Honoring your authorities will benefit you and bring honor to God. Pray to God for a heart that is open to learn and be influenced by authorities in your life.

down but not out How do you respond to adversity? When you face serious challenges and things don’t go your way in athletics or life, what is your reaction? The Bible says the following: “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” Job 2:10 (NLT)

Principle The Bible describes Job as a man who was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. The Bible also tells us that Job was tested and everything in his life fell apart. He lost his possessions, family, and health. Job was humbled and brought to an ultimate low. He did question God and wondered why terrible things happened to him, but he responded the right way in the end by keeping his faith in God despite the bad that had happened in his life. Bad things happen in athletics and in life that knock you down. Be a player that overcomes adversity.

Keys to overcome adversity When life is tough, we need to respond the right way. Overcome adversity by persevering and realizing that the tough times will pass. Keep your faith and get back up and try again. Learn any lessons you can and trust in the faithfulness of God and his promises. Pray to God for character in responding the right way when adversity happens.

ATHLETICS IS WORSHIP How can you worship God through athletics, soccer? Have you ever thought about that? What does that look like? The Bible says the following: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Principle Worship does not only happen inside a church building and when we sing songs. It happens while playing as well. We all worship something. The issue is if we are truly worshiping God or something else. What we treasure most is what we worship. Some worship money and possessions, fame, the sport of soccer, and some worship themselves. However, in every area of life, including athletics, we are called to worship God and bring honor to Him.

Keys to worshiping in athletics Realize that athletics are a gift from God. Receive this gift and give thanks to God. Know that God created you with the ability to function and perform skills in soccer. Feel the presence of God while you play and experience joy. Honor God with your play, your character, and your whole life. Pray to God and thank Him for His good gifts and ask for a heart to worship Him in all that you do.

redeem the sport In general, what is wrong with the sport of soccer today? What needs to change? The Bible says the following: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Principle You can redeem the sport of soccer when you makes it a priority to improve yourself by asking God to transform your hearts and minds. Balance out the time you put into improving your skills with growing in character. Celebrate godliness and not just in performing well or winning a game. Play as if it was your last opportunity and then you were to go face to face with God to give an account of your life. Playing the right way, that honors God, will matter so much more with the end of your life in mind.

Keys to redeeming the sport Become a humble athlete. Don’t play in a self-sufficient, thinking more highly than yourself, self-worship mind set. Know that you need God and that he is the source of your ability. Be gracious in defeat and modest in victory. Play to serve for the good of your the sport. Transfer all the glory of accomplishment to God. Pray for God to transform your heart and mind to redeem the sport of soccer for His honor.

THE WORST PENALTY What is the worst penalty in soccer? More importantly, what is the source of this penalty? Why do people do bad things? The Bible says the following: “For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.” Romans 8:7-8 (NLT)

Principle The source of all that is bad in soccer and life is our sinful natures. We all sin. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that goes against what God wants from us. The affects of sin changes everything. Sin affects our world, our lives, our sports and how you play. All that is wrong in athletics, like cheating, trash-talking, fighting, a win-at-all-costs attitude, is a direct result of our sinful natures. This problem of sin is not good for our sport or our relationship with God. Sinful actions put a barrier between us and God and keep us from living a God honoring life.

Keys to overcoming sinful natures Realize that you need help and can’t overcome sin on your own. Turn to God and ask Him to help you overcome your sin and live the life He wants you to live. Pray for a heart that is broken and that understands your need for God to fix your sin problem.

THE GREAT SUBSTITUTE

Have you ever had someone do something great for you that you didn’t deserve? The Bible says the following: “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

Principle Christ is the great substitute because he did something great for us that we didn’t deserve. Out of love, Christ came on a mission to take care of our sin problem. Despite our sin against God and others, Christ suffered a bloody death on a cross for us. He took our place, our punishment, and wiped our guilty records clean before God with His death. The sin that put a barrier between us and God is no more because of what Christ did.

Keys to dealing with Christ Realize you have two choices. You can either reject the commands of Christ or repent and trust in what Christ has done for you. Rejecting Christ means you reject God, His good plans to forgive your sins, and that the consequences for sin still remain on your life. Repenting means coming to a point that you are tired of your sinful ways and that a new life guided by God is the way your headed. Our only hope is in Christ for a new life and to be in a right relationship with God. Pray to God for a fresh understanding of what Christ did for you and the response it requires.

gospel Summary

The Bible tells us that one day will be face to face with God and give an account of the life we lived. Are you ready for that day? What will you say? If you can’t say anything, what will your life say about you? The Bible also tells us that our life must be right before God. he problem is that our sin separates us from God, the holy one. However, there is hope in that your life can be right with God. Getting your life right means trusting solely on Gods work to solve your problem of sin and transform your life as God intended it to be.

Keys to have your life right before God Admit that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23, ”For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (NLT)

Believe that Christ died and rose again for your sins. Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (NLT)

Trust in Gods work to transform your life and not your own works. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (ESV)

Commit your whole life to following Christ. John 14:6, “Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (NLT)

Final summary The Gospel message can be presented as good because your get stuff. You get something great that you don’t deserve, or that your sins will be forgiven, or that you can escape the eternal consequences of hell. These elements, among others, are true for believers and benefits of the Gospel message. However, the Gospel is good because we get God. Think about who God is for a moment. God created all things out of nothing, has always existed, is the most intelligent and powerful being, is all knowing, sustains all of life and nature by His will, is the origin of all truth, and the one who is most worthy to be treasured above all things. Now think about what God has done. God is on a mission to bring glory to His name through solving our problem of sin and reconciling us back to himself for our everlasting joy. We don’t pursue God. He pursues us. God can be known and has reveled himself to us through His Word (Bible). God has spoken and revealed what he desires from us. God came with a purpose to earth and dwelled among us as the person of Jesus with the goal of saving His people from their sins. The fact that God is true, that He has made himself known, and that He has spoken, changes everything. It requires that we deal with what He demands of us and respond. There is no grey area. You can’t plead ignorance. You are either with God or against Him.

You need to wrestle with what you are going to do with Jesus. Your whole live rests on what you do with Jesus. The Bible, Gods message to us, emphasizes over and over that Jesus is the only one whom God the Father sent to redeem the world and our lives. Jesus was sent to take away the guilt and power of sin, to restore the broken relationships between God and mankind through His death, and to overcome death with His resurrection from the dead for our joy and the glory of God.

Keys in responding to God the Son, Jesus Despise your sins and confess them to God. Realize your only hope is having faith in the work of Christ to forgive your sins. Follow and honor Him with your whole life. Trust that you are now at peace with God and in a right relationship with Him. Know that you were created to do good works and fulfill the purposes of God. Learn what those purposes are and how you fit into them.

Next steps Join a solid local church to encourage you in your new life. Seek out accountability. Read Gods Word. Actively seek growth. Talk to God. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your hunger and thirst for God die. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live a wasted life. Tell others about the hope you have and what God has done in your own life.

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