AthleteWord: The GREATEST competitor gave the greatest GIFT – He gave His all for His team!
 
STRENGTH WORK
Matthew 1:18-25
This time of year we all enjoy gift-giving.  How much will we spend?  Who will we buy gifts for and how will we choose what to purchase? Gifts do not define everything in a relationship, but they certainly tell us which relationships we value most.
DISCUSSION

1. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?  Why was it so memorable?

The gifts we remember are usually connected with a significant relationship.  It’s the giver that we remember, not simply the gift.  Gift-giving is one great way to express how much we value our relationships.  The people we value most are usually the ones with whom we decide to exchange gifts.
When we examine what we give to the Lord, what does it tell us about our relationship with Him?
“Remember this: the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 8:6)
This Scripture reminds us we can only enjoy our relationship with God to the extent we are willing to invest in that relationship.  What gifts are we willing to invest in the Lord’s work?  As His servants we not only commit our finances to the Lord but also our entire lives.  This includes our training.  What are we willing to give Him?
Why can a follower of the Lord commit everything to Him?  This is how we express our gratitude for the gift He has given us.  When God sent His Son to this earth to redeem us, He gave us the greatest gift.  He gave Himself.
Consider the awesome message of the greatest gift – “God with us.”

1. GOD is with us.  From His birth to His death, Jesus showed Himself to be God.  This means God gave the greatest gift anyone can give – themselves.  “He is the exact expression of [God’s] nature.” (Hebrews 1:3)
2. God is WITH us.  The distance between giver and receiver was taken away.  God is not a distant idea, nor a set of laws.  He became a living being who lived in this world.  The Creator walked among the creation.  “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us.” (John 1:14)
3. God is with US.  This miraculous act demonstrates God’s desire to know you and me.  We will always have assurance of His love and acceptance due to His desire to be with us.  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Champions invest in the mission of the Lord because of what He has given us.  We hope you will consider giving to the greatest mission on earth – spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.  Faith Rx’d is committed to using the community created through physical fitness as an avenue to share God’s message of the gospel with the world.  Please consider joining us in this effort by giving financially to the mission.  And, we challenge you to continue giving to your local church and the ministries it supports.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
SKILL WORK
1 – Why do you enjoy giving and receiving gifts?
2 – Which of the three points above motivates you most to invest in the mission of the Lord?
3 – Consider how you can contribute best to the mission of Christ.  If you choose to give to Faith Rx’d, use this link:
www.FaithRxd.org/Support