Self Examination

What is the natural response for you in desperate moments? Do you remain calm so that your decision process is not flawed, or do you panic and let your emotions dictate the action steps? If the answers to the above questions were not what you desire, ask God today to allow His Holy Spirit to be in control. Nothing surprises God. He has given His children the gift of His Spirit to comport us in desperate times.

Coach’s Huddle Time with Campers

Life Story

Tell a story about a time in your life when prayer was the starting point in resolving a desperate moment.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever had a desperate moment in your life? Were you able to remain calm? How?

2. How does prayer help you in a desperate moment?

3. What good things can come from desperate moments?

What Would You Do?

During most of the soccer season the Tigers had come to rely on Wyatt as their go-to person in close games. In the league championship game the Tigers faced a desperate moment. The score was tied when Wyatt was hurt in a collision that resulted in a penalty kick for the Tigers. Wyatt would not be able to take the kick. It would be Anthony who would try to win the game. How can Anthony remain calm? What kind of things could he have done before the game to help him remain calm in this desperate moment?

Personal Devotional

Introduction

In every great comeback there seems to be a desperate moment when, for one team, it looks as though winning is impossible. The fans behind the losing team hope beyond hope for some type of miracle to happen. The opposing team suddenly makes a mistake and the impossible happens - a come-from-behind victory. These moments happen all the time in sports and many times in life. In these moments great comeback leaders remain calm.

Scripture

II Kings 4:8-37

Devotional Thought

The Shunammite woman remained calm and went to Elisha for help. Elisha remained calm and followed the woman back to her house. When he arrived he found the woman’s son was dead and did what everyone facing a comeback in life should do - he prayed. Elisha uttered a simple prayer to God, his go-to person, and did exactly what his mentor, Elijah, had done. He laid on the boy, and the power of God flowed through him into the boy who was restored to life. In the desperate moments we face in life, we need to remember that prayer is the starting point for us, just like it was for Elijah and Elisha.

TUESDAY - A DESPERATE MOMENT

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TUESDAY - A DESPERATE MOMENT

Sports Story: Lori ChalupnyBible Story: Elisha and the Shunammite womanKey point I: In desperate moments, comeback leaders remain calm.Key point II: Prayer helps us remain calm in life’s desperate

moments.

Self Examination

Think through the tough situations you have faced in life. Did you seek God as your go-to person or did you try to be that for yourself? Have there been times when you were God’s go-to person for someone else, as Elijah was? Take time to praise Him today for helping you through those situations.

Coach’s Huddle Time with Campers

Life Story

Tell a life story about a time when you were the go-to person in a situation when others depended on you.

Discussion Questions

1. Discuss the term “comeback” to help the campers understand the concept.

2. Have you ever done something wrong and had to come back and make it right?

3. When you are sick or injured who is your go-to person at home? Why?

4. How can God be our go-to person when we have problems?

What Would You Do?

Sam had made seven out of ten free throws in the game. He had made 20 in a row in practice. Whenever the game was close at the end, the coach would try to get the ball into Sam’s hands so he would be taking the free throws. With 20 seconds left Sam severely twisted his knee while making a steal. If you were the coach, would you try to find another go-to person or leave Sam in the game? Can the go-to person change from game to game?

Personal Devotional

Introduction

In every great comeback, the leader of the comeback team seems to know it can happen. If his team has the ball, he is confident they will score and win the game. Everyone else hopes, but the comeback leader knows! There is something inside of the leader that is different, something that gives him the edge. In sports comebacks, the leader has an inner confidence that others don’t. In life’s greatest comebacks, confidence comes from having a relationship with an all-knowing and all-powerful God.

Scripture

John 11:1-43

Devotional Thought

When Jesus arrived at the house of Mary and Martha, their brother Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus actually delayed His arrival so that God’s glory would be even greater. Jesus knew what He was going to do and waited for just the right moment. Mary and Martha had no idea that Jesus was really able to raise their brother from the dead, but Jesus knew He could. After Jesus prayed a short prayer to His heavenly Father, He brought Lazarus out of his tomb. He was alive again! When we face the need for a comeback in our own lives, our confidence comes from the same place Jesus’ did, from an all-knowing God.

WEDNESDAY - A LEADER WHO KNOWS IT CAN HAPPEN

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MONDAY - A GO-TO PERSON

Sports Story: Stephen CurryBible Story: LazarusKey point I: Comeback leaders have an inner confidence that others don’t.

Key point II: In life, confidence comes from God.

Self Examination

Are you in need of a comeback today at work, school, or home? How well do you know God? Do you meditate on His Word and His attributes? When was the last time a praise song about the attributes of God inspired you or solidified your knowledge of Him? Ask God to impress upon your heart the full range of confidence you can have in Him as you face the comebacks of life.

Coach’s Huddle Time with Campers

Life Story

Tell a life story about a time when you just knew something would work out when others doubted. Relate this specifically to your faith in God.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever known anyone who seemed to make the big play all the time?

2. Can anyone really know what is going to happen? Why?

3. Does God know? Why?

4. Why do you think God did not give us the ability to know the future?

What Would You Do?

In the last month, Kenzie has become one of the top goal scorers on her team. She has been particularly good at scoring in the last five minutes of the game. She likes her soccer team relying on her when they are behind and in need of a goal. Her confidence is growing. What should Kenzie do to increase this feeling? What problems can she create for her team if she tries too hard to make people believe she can win games?

Personal Devotional

Introduction

In every great comeback there is usually a person who plays a prominent role above the rest of the team. There is usually someone you can count on when it is a really tough situation. In sports this person is called a go-to person. You go to this person and expect him to perform above the others in the face of a loss, and they often help a team come from behind to win an important game. In life, Christians have this same type of go-to person - He is God.

Scripture

I Kings 17:7-24

Devotional Thought

Just as sports teams need a go-to person to pull off a comeback, we need one in life. Elijah was God’s go-to person to try to bring Israel back to a level of national success. Elijah faced an evil king, called for a drought, and fled for his life. While he was on the run he was miraculously fed by ravens for a year. He was then fed for two years by a widow who made bread from jars of flour and oil that never ran out. When the widow’s son died, Elijah knew who his go-to person was: it was God, the One who had sustained him for the last three years. In our lives we must realize that God is our best go-to person when we need a comeback.

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Sports Story: Eric HosmerBible Story: Elijah and the widow’s sonKey point I: Comeback teams always have a go-to person.Key point II: In life, God is the best go-to person.

MONDAY - A GO-TO PERSON WEDNESDAY - A LEADER WHO KNOWS IT CAN HAPPEN

DAY THEME KEY POINTS

BIBLE STORY

SPORTS STORY

MONDAY A go-to person

1. Comeback teams always have a go-to

person.2. In life, God

is the best go-to person.

Elijah and the widow’s

son

Eric Hosmer

TUESDAY A desperate moment

1. In desperate moments, comeback

leaders remain calm.

2. Prayer helps us remain

calm in life’s desperatemoments.

Elisha and the

Shunammite woman

Lori Chalupny

WEDNESDAYA leader who knows it can

happen

1. Comeback leaders have

an inner confidence that

others don’t.2. In life, inner

confidence comes from

God.

Lazarus Stephen Curry

THURSDAY A reason to come back

1. The greatest comebacks are

done for others.2. Jesus’ greatest

comeback was done for us.

Jesus and the widow’s

son

Jason Lezak

FRIDAY A follow-up performance

1. Great comeback

leaders have more than one

comeback.2. The final

comeback lasts forever.

The Final Resurrection

1980 USA Hockey

WEEKLY OUTLINE

Personal Devotional

Introduction

Every great comeback includes a reason to come back. Something is driving someone to do it. While individual sports, like golf and tennis, have great athletes who have had remarkable comebacks, most comebacks in team sports have something very special about them. The reason to comeback is not selfish. There is the added dimension of teammates. Team comebacks involve a sense of sacrifice and selflessness because it involves others. In sports, the greatest comebacks are done for others. Life’s greatest comeback was done for us by Jesus.

Scripture

Luke 7:11-17

Devotional Thought

Think of the despair that the widow must have felt when her only son died. Now she was left alone in the world with no viable means of financially supporting herself other than begging. But Jesus had compassion on her and brought her son back to life. The onlooking crowd celebrated this miracle and said, “God has come to help his people.” Indeed Jesus had come to help His people. In addition to raising Lazarus and the widow’s son, Jesus performed the greatest comeback in history when He rose from the dead. In doing this He proved He was God and He created a way for anyone to get to God. Jesus had a reason to come back: He came back for the salvation of every human ever born. Jesus is now at the right hand of God, alive and providing a way for all believers to have

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Sports Story: Jason LezakBible Story: The widow of Nain’s sonKey point I: The greatest comebacks are done for others.Key point II: Jesus’ greatest comeback was done for us.

THURSDAY - A REASON TO COME BACK

everlasting life (John 3:16). You are the reason He died and rose again. His comeback was for you!

Self Examination

Have you accepted His sacrifice? Have you asked for forgiveness of your sins? Spend a few moments reflecting on that day 2,000 years ago when God shed His own blood for you. Think about His victory over death to assure you of eternal life. In your time before Him, thank Him for His selfless act and ask to be empowered in your own life when it is necessary to do a comeback for someone else.

Coach’s Huddle Time with Campers

Life Story

Share your life story with the kids, focusing on your relationship with God, how you came to know Jesus as your Savior, and the impact Jesus has made in your life.

Discussion Questions

Discussion following your testimony might include questions from the campers about your story. Do not ask the campers to give their own testimonies. However, if a camper does want to share, you may allow him or her to do so. Make sure you guide the conversation to keep it on track.

What Would You Do?

Sadie’s cheer squad did a really good job on their last routine to win the competition. The night before, despite being tired and worn out from the day, Sadie took time to work with some of the younger girls on the harder moves they were learning. In the last routine the next morning the younger girls came through. They were sharp and focused on their moves and placements. Why did the comeback feel so good for Sadie? Why is it hard to be unselfish sometimes? How had the squad responded to Sadie’s unselfish act of giving her time to the girls?

On Day One we will learn that in comebacks there is always a go-to person. Just as sports teams have a go-to person to help them win a difficult game, we will see how God is faithful and trustworthy and can always be our go-to person in difficult situations.

Day Two teaches us that all great comebacks have a desperate moment. Just like in sports when a leader is able to remain calm under extreme pressure, we can also find that calm during those desperate moments in our lives through prayer.

In our lesson on Day Three we will learn that great comebacks require a leader who knows it can happen. In our lives we can find that confidence to come back through an all-knowing and all-powerful God.

Onv Day Four we will learn that in great comebacks there are usually strong reasons to come back. Many times in sports, great comebacks are done for others. In our Bible lesson we will see how in life’s greatest comeback, Jesus did it for us.

In our concluding lesson on Day Five we will learn that a follow-up performance is necessary for credibility. The sports world is loaded with stories of one-hit wonders who do not have the same credibility as those who follow up one great performance with another. The Bible lesson will show that life’s greatest comeback will last forever!

Using sports illustrations, object lessons, and biblical accounts of people being raised from the dead, “The Great Comeback” series will build, at a child’s level, the knowledge that God is the one you can trust with your life. Through music, role modeling, teaching, sports activities, and the written Word, the Christian child will be encouraged to not give up in desperate moments of life because God is in control. The non-Christian child will learn in a positive manner that committing his or her life to Christ is a trustworthy decision and will help in the comeback moments of life.

May God grant you wisdom and insight as you live the theme “The Great Comeback” this year.

INTRODUCTION THURSDAY - A REASON TO COME BACK

134

Great comebacks, we have all seen them! Think about the quarterback who passes for the winning touchdown with only seconds left in the game, the baseball player who hits a home run in the bottom of the 9th, or the point guard who hits a three pointer at the buzzer to win by one. These finishes are thrilling to say the least. Your heart races at the very thought of the ultimate moment when victory is grasped from the jaws of defeat.

Every great comeback in sports has elements that make it one of the most exhilarating experiences for all involved: the player who performs, the coach who plans, the referee who judges, and the fans who watch. All participants receive a part of the thrill (except for the team that loses, but even they can be in awe of the moment.)

The key elements of a great comeback are as follows: a go-to person, a desperate moment, a leader who knows it can happen, a reason to come back, and a follow-up performance for credibility.

God is the master of great comebacks. Through the messengers of His purpose for man, He has demonstrated His ability to come through just when it looked as though His purpose would be thwarted. Many times at the last possible moment when despair has set in and hope is mangled beyond recognition, God performs His greatest comebacks.

In our memory verses, John 14:1-3, Jesus assures His followers that at just the right moment He will come back and take every believer to heaven to be with Him forever. This is truly the greatest comeback of all!

In the lessons contained in “The Great Comeback” series, we will relive some of the greatest comebacks not only in American sports history, but in the Bible as well. Each account from the Bible involves someone who comes back from the dead. The sports stories will help you understand and illustrate how God’s ability to create comebacks applies to our lives.

INTRODUCTION

Personal Devotional

Introduction

Not all comebacks have a follow-up performance. Many times the comeback is the only 15 minutes of fame a player will ever have. However, the great comebacks are done by leaders who do it over and over again, who build credibility that lasts a lifetime. Players like Michael Jordan and Peyton Manning have this credibility. The greatest comebacks are not performed by one-hit wonders. Jesus has credibility because everything He said came true. Jesus came back from the dead just as He said, and He will come back again to take all Christians to be with Him forever. The greatest comeback of all time will last forever!

Scripture

John 14:1-3, John 11:25-26, Revelation 21:3-5

Devotional Thought

A person who does an extraordinary thing only once will many times be called a one-hit wonder. The person who consistently does the extraordinary has abilities that can be called upon again and again. Jesus is that type of person. He has promised to return for His people, for those who believe in and live for Him. When Jesus comes back, He will take everyone who believes in Him to His Father’s house, and we will live forever with Him. There will be no more sadness, nor pain, nor death anymore, for everything will be made brand new! Whenever we put our trust in Jesus, we can have confidence that we will one day live

FRIDAY - A FOLLOW-UP PERFORMANCE

314

Sports Story: 1980 USA HockeyBible Story: The Final ResurrectionKey point I: Great comeback leaders have more than one comeback.Key point II: The final comeback lasts forever.

forever with Him, even if we die. It has not happened yet, but as sure as the Bible is God’s Word, it will.

Self Examination

Are the events in the news today making you excited about the possibility of Christ’s return in your lifetime? Do you realize how cool it will be when He returns? Are you looking forward to that day? Is His return real in your mind or a fairy tale? Take a moment to ponder the reality of the return of Christ. If He said He was coming back, you can count on it - He will!

Coach’s Huddle Time with Campers

Life Story

Tell a story about someone in your life who seemed to have the ability to come back time and time again in any situation. It could be a friend or relative.

Discussion Questions Coaches

1. Is there anything such as luck in a game or life?

2. Are great comeback leaders lucky or good at what they do?

What Would You Do?

Michelle has scored the winning basket three times this year. When the team needs a key basket, Michelle always seems to be there. She is building a reputation as a comeback leader. In the final game of the season the score is tied with 20 seconds remaining. Michelle has the ball with an open shot. If she fails to score, does this mean she is not a comeback leader? If she scores, will this confirm that she is?

Dear Coach,

In this booklet you will find a 20-minute daily format for your spiritual preparation as a volunteer at your church’s sports camp. You can do this devotional weeks before your camp begins or in your own quiet time each day before you arrive at camp. It is vital that you come prepared each day. The ten minutes you spend with your team during “Coach’s Huddle” may be the most important time you have with your kids at camp.

When you prepare early it will allow the Holy Spirit to direct you into a more complete understanding of the theme so you can be a more effective leader. The important thing is that you prepare before you come to camp each day.

Here is a guide for your 20-minute preparation time:

5 minutes Pray for your kids, as well as yourself, for what to say.

6 minutes Work on the memory verse for the week.

1 minute Reflect on the theme, Bible story, key points, and introduction for the day.

4 minutes Read the Scripture passages from the Bible story.

2 minutes Read and reflect on the devotional thought and discussion questions.

3 minutes Review your personal life story for the day’s coach’s share time.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with

me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3

INTRODUCTION

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FRIDAY - A FOLLOW-UP PERFORMANCE

Team Name: _______________________________

My Team Members: Memory Verse

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:1-3

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Camper Arrival/RegistrationOpening RallyInstructional Block #1Coach’s HuddleInstructional Block #2Half Time RallyInstructional Block #3Bible Time Rally/Camp Closing

Friday

Morning 9-12:15 Evening 5-8:15

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Camper Arrival/RegistrationOpening RallyInstructional Block #1Coach’s HuddleInstructional Block #2Half Time RallyInstructional Block #3Bible Time Rally

Monday-Wednesday

Thursday

COACH’S NOTES

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CAMP SCHEDULE

Camper Arrival/RegistrationOpening RallyInstructional Block #1Coach’s HuddleInstructional Block #2Half Time RallyInstructional Block #3Bible Time Rally

INCORPORATE THE THEME

17

Incorporate the Theme Here are some easy ways you can demonstrate the different themes to your campers during the week.

Day 1: A go-to person

Play “Keep Away” while assigning a go-to person for each team. Award one point for each successful pass a team makes, but give three points to them if they pass the ball to the go-to person. Stop and talk about how God is our go-to person in life.

Day 2: A desperate moment

During a drill or game, handicap one player by making him put one hand behind his back or blindfold him. Talk about how he and his team felt when they found out about the handicap.

- You can handicap one person or the whole team.- If you choose one person, you could choose the go-to person.

Day 3: A leader who knows it can happen

In one of your drills, secretly tell one player where the ball will be or where the pass will go in order for his team to be successful. Once the team has won a couple of times, stop the drill and discuss the reason why the team was so successful. Compare this experience with the daily theme, focusing on how God knows everything in our lives.

Day 4: A reason to comeback

During a drill or scrimmage, encourage the campers to utilize their teammates by rewarding the team when they score if they worked together. For example, if a team scores in basketball, they are awarded two points for the basket. But if they score because a teammate passed the ball, award them four points for their selflessness.

Day 5: A follow-up performance

Set up a drill or game that can be repeated multiple times. Each time a team or individual wins the drill/game, award them one point. If they manage to win two games in a row, award them two points. If they win three in a row, award them three points. If one team is dominating, feel free to trade their go-to player to create a desperate moment for the team, as well as to even the playing field a bit.

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