Verse: "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
Devotional: Discipline means having the self-control to do whatʼs right, even when itʼs
hard. Just like athletes train their bodies, we can train our hearts to follow God. Even Paul
references that idea in this passage! Sometimes we want to take the easy way out, but
discipline helps us stay focused and strong. The Bible says that athletes need self-control
in all things, and if we are followers of Jesus, we need that too.
Illustration: Picture a player whoʼs tired in the middle of a game, but instead of giving up,
they keep going because theyʼve trained hard. Thatʼs discipline! Just like in basketball, we
need discipline in life to make good choices, like being patient, doing our homework, or
helping out even when we donʼt feel like it.
• Whatʼs something thatʼs hard for you to do, but you know itʼs the right thing?
• How can we practice discipline this week?
Basketball Application: Basketball players practice for hours so they can get better and
stay in control during a game. In life, discipline means following Godʼs Word, being patient,
and doing whatʼs right, even when we donʼt want to. Just like practicing basketball makes
you a better player, practicing discipline makes you stronger in your walk with God.
Takeaway for the Week: This week, letʼs practice discipline by staying patient and
focused. When something is hard—like waiting your turn or doing something you donʼt
want to—ask God to help you stay strong and do the right thing.
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