Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – Sportsmanship
Opening
- Today we learned some rules of the game, now let’s see what the bible says about obeying rules.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Proverbs 12:2 “Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but He condemns those who devise wicked schemes.”
Devotional
Big picture Cheating is both lying and stealing.
- Q: Why do we lie about stuff, why is lying so easy? (Set up the next question)
- Q: Have you ever thought about this: Cheating is actually lying and stealing?
- Cheating is lying because it is saying something is yours when it is not.
- When you cheat, you lied to win. You lied to yourself, you lied to others and you lied to the Holy Spirit inside of you. Your conscience is probably screaming at you to tell the truth, but instead you lie.
- You aren’t getting away with anything when you cheat. God knows. Do you think He doesn’t see it?
- Do you think you will really get off-the-hook for lying and cheating? Consequences are inescapable, even if it is on judgement day. Do you really want that on your record?
- And cheating is stealing because you stole the win from somebody else. You stole the win.
- You are actually taking something that is not yours when you cheat. It’s not yours, you are stealing.
- Cheaters never win. And winners never cheat. Have you ever heard that before? It’s a true saying.
- But many people think that the prize is the goal and winning by any means is ok. No, it is not ok!
- Having honor is far better and will lead you to becoming a man of integrity.
- After you cheat, you may lie to yourself and tell yourself everything is ok, no one will know. But who are you talking to inside yourself? Your conscience, the Holy Spirit inside you. The Holy Spirit is Jesus talking to you. So, you are lying to Jesus and yourself. Can you see how bad cheating is?
- God knows your heart. He knows what you are up to. Don’t you want God to look upon you and bless the things you do? How can He bless you when you cheat, steal and lie?
- Becoming a man of integrity and honor starts now by being a young man of integrity. Today, as a young man you are in-training to become the man you will be as an adult.
- There are few men of honor. Trail life is all about teaching you how to be a man of honor.
- Surround yourself with friends who value integrity, truth and honor. Iron sharpens iron. Good friends will help you do good, and you will help them do good.
Memory Verse #2
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Topical Questions
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The memory verse is all about this topic (read it). Trust, do what is right, and the Lord will bless you!
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Did Jesus ever lie? Did Jesus ever steal? Did Jesus ever Cheat? No!
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What will you do next time you are tempted to cheat at something?
remember, it’s lying & stealing
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, help these boys to remember cheating is lying and stealing. Let that truth sink deeply into their hearts so their consciences will light-up next time they are tempted to cheat. Help them to become men of honor and integrity. To walk worthy! We thank You Lord, for all Your blessings in our life. That You are here inside us to help us. In Your name, Jesus Christ we pray these requests, Amen!
