AthleteWord: The FIRST – and most important – STEP of a champion’s journey is the choice to LISTEN to the RIGHT COACH.
 
READ
John 9:1-11
REFLECT
Where the eyes go, the body goes.  Coaches instruct us to keep our eyes on the ball, and they tell us to look where we plan to run.  Lifters are also familiar with this concept. When performing a lift we can get out of position simply by looking in the wrong spot.  
How does our vision determine where we go in life?  Competitors know this principle very well. Just as the vision of an athlete determines the direction of the body, the vision of a disciple determines the direction of his steps.
DISCUSSION

1. How have you experienced the value of good vision through exercise and athletics?
2. How does your life vision contribute to what you do daily?

In today’s reading the man who was healed may have been born blind, but Jesus showed His disciples that vision is a matter of the heart.  Vision holds the power to create discipline in our lives.

1. Vision produces discipline to obey.  Jesus put mud on the man’s eyes and told him to “go and wash.”  The man responded immediately to the instruction of Jesus. He wasn’t concerned about others’ opinions, his past failures, or worries about the future.  His vision gave him the discipline to focus on obedience in the present moment.
2. Vision produces discipline to commit.  The Pool of Siloam was a considerable distance from where Jesus and His disciples likely met this man.  After Jesus placed the mud on the man’s eyes he had to descend hundreds of steps and navigate through a thick crowd.  The man’s vision gave him the discipline to commit to wherever the instruction of Jesus would lead.
3. Vision produces discipline to be authentic.  The religious leaders adamantly opposed this miracle since it was beyond their understanding of obedience.  They couldn’t see how God could work in such a way through a Man they did not respect. Their vision clouded their ability to obey correctly.  

The man’s “blindness” actually revealed his true vision, and the “vision” of the religious leaders revealed their true blindness.  Jesus desires authentic obedience. When we put our eyes on Jesus we can see ourselves, others, and the world around us the way we were truly designed to see.
“We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day.  Night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – Jesus
 
SKILL WORK

1. Identify the areas of your life where you need to be more disciplined.
2. How has your lack of vision kept you from obeying God?
3. Jesus speaks of an aggressive obedience in regard to our eyes.  Look up Matthew 5:29.
4. What do you need to aggressively attack in your commitment to Christ?
5. Ask God to give you clear vision for Him today.