Welcome (greetings and announcements)

• Open in Prayer

Warm-up (icebreaker, games, skit)

Practice makes perfect 

• Set up 3-4 plastic cups or ‘baskets’ in center of the table. Pass out small rubber ‘balls’ or wads of paper to half the group. The other half are the ‘judges’. Give competitors a few seconds to practice their favorite trick shot into the ‘basket’. Choose 1st & 2nd place winner for best trick shot and have them demonstrate. Judges can trade places with competitors if time allows.

• Why do you think the winners had the best shot? Can you do better if you had a chance to practice? How do you get to be the best?

Workout (Bible studies, devotionals, testimonials)

• Our topic for today is Diligence: See each task as a special assignment and work constantly and earnestly to accomplish it

• Stephen Curry:

o Who’s heard of Stephen Curry? What do you know about him?

o Possible answers: 6’3’’ 185 lb point guard, devout Christian, grew up in Charlotte, NC, attended Davidson College (almost led them to 2008 final four), plays for Golden State Warriors, considered to be the greatest shooter of all time, NBA MVP 2014/15 seasons

o Curry is loaded with confidence, but little if any cockiness. He often points his right index finger upward after making a basket as an outward sign and internal reminder that God gets the glory for his success. His mental strength is one of his strongest attributes. He acknowledges this through one of his favorite verses: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

o Famous quote from Curry “I know why I play the game, and it’s not to score 30 points a night, but it’s to use the stage I’m on. I’ve been put here for a specific purpose: to be a witness and to share my testimony as I go through it.”

o One of the keys to his success is the arsenal of shots he’s perfected during non-game practice situations. One of his coaches stated “He’s the type of guy you look at and say, “That’s how I want my son to be. It’s a great testament to who he is and the God he serves.

• How do you and your team’s mental preparation compare to Curry’s?

• Describe a time when you were mentally ready to compete in a game. Why is concentration and focus such a big part of being diligent?

• Think of a time when you were not mentally ready. What were the results in each situation?

• Read the following verses: Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Is this physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?

• How does the following prayer involve the mind? “God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

Wrap-up (closing comments)

1. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5- In this passage, Paul uses military terms to describe our battle against sin and Satan. God must be our commander in chief. We must surrender control of our thoughts to Him as we live for Him. 

2. It isn’t easy to stay mentally sharp. We are constantly distracted. We will fall down, but we must remain diligent and keep trying.

3. Peter successfully walked on the water toward Jesus when he kept his eyes on Jesus, but he began sinking when he looked at the waves and wind (Matthew 14:29-30). Rise up. Keep your eyes and thoughts fixed on HIM.