Greater Freedom

WELCOME

“So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” — John 8:36

Everybody has expectations for themselves as an athlete—including you! Feeling trapped by the world’s expectations for your life can be especially easy. But trusting God’s plan and embracing your identity in Christ will allow you to stay untangled and free to do your best no matter what.

WARM-UP

ALL TIED UP

Split into two teams and then take off your shoes and throw them into two separate team piles. Keep track of where your shoes are while someone from the other team takes 30 seconds to tie all of the shoelaces together. On the leader’s command, the first group to untie their shoes wins.

Q: What was the hardest part of getting your shoes untangled and freed up?

Q: How did it feel to finally have your shoes separated from the others and back on your feet?

WORKOUT

ALL MIXED UP

Many things might go through your mind while you compete, and many of those thoughts can involve your expectations, others’ expectations, and maybe even God’s expectations. To make matters worse, there are often persistent feelings of comparison—trying to be like someone else or wanting what someone else has.

There’s no freedom to do your best with that kind of conflict, tension, confusion, and doubt swirling inside you. It’s easy in those moments to feel trapped by your own thoughts and unsure of what to do.

Q: What are some athletic expectations that sometimes make you feel stuck and held back from reaching your full potential?

Q: How often do you think about God’s expectations for your athletic performance?

ALL FREED UP

There is no difference between freedom in your athletic performance and freedom in other areas of your life. You won’t find true freedom anywhere without Christ.

That was His message to the people who believed that He was God’s Son:

“If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31–32

They didn’t understand at first because they were thinking about their natural freedom. Still, Jesus was talking about their spiritual freedom and how being trapped in their sinful behavior can limit their growth as followers of Christ.

God has greater things in mind for you, and His expectations for your athletic performance and your life are the same. He wants you to do everything for Him and His glory. He wants you to do everything without fear of what others think. He wants you to give your best in all things and trust Him for the outcome.

Once you fully surrender those expectations and any other things in your life holding you back, you can experience true freedom. That’s when God will begin to unlock your full potential and help you fulfill His purpose for your life.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17

Q: What would it look like for you to fully surrender your expectations and other things in your life that might be holding you back?

Q: How do you think being free of any expectations other than God’s might help you give your best?

WRAP-UP

GREATER FREEDOM

When you surrender everything to God, you can fully embrace your identity in Christ and stay untangled from all other expectations and become free to do your best no matter what.

Here are three benefits that you will experience through God’s greater freedom:

1. Freedom from worry. There is no more pressure to perform when your main concern is living for God.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6

2. Freedom from doubt. There is no room for disbelief when your trust is wholly placed in God and His Word.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

3. Freedom from fear. There is no more need to be afraid when you know God is on your side.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

OVERTIME

Either in your group or at another time with your huddle leader or an FCA staff member, answer the following questions:

Q: What are some areas of your life that you haven’t fully surrendered to Jesus?

Q: In what ways do you think those things might be keeping you from experiencing God’s greater freedom?

Q: What do you need to do today that will help you surrender those things to Jesus and begin to experience true freedom in Him?