Actively engaging in a sport can easily drain the body of the necessary nutrients needed to produce energy for the task. The spirit, devoid of the nutrients of unconditional love, acceptance, and guidance, can also wither, leaving the person at the mercy of their wounded emotions and exhausted body. Adam, like many of us, looked away from God and focused only on himself. He gave in to his emotions and flesh and sinned, leaving him drained of energy, full of doubt, and uncertain of his purpose. Jesus, on the other hand, resisted temptation and remained powerful, powerful enough to forgive those who mistreated him and crucified him. Both Adam, until he sinned, and Jesus were spirit-led. Because they were focused on the will of God, their spirits were strong and able to overcome the lure of their human emotions and narcissistic bodies. Jesus did not have to die on the cross. He could have saved himself, but because his spirit was strong he was able to forgive others and endure the painful death that brought each one of us eternal life. He made it a point to get the nutrients he needed each day in order to overcome the world: God's word, unconditional love, prayer, and fellowship with others.

This month, have your small group members give away vitamins for the body and the spirit to people in the community. Purchase several bottles of Gatorade®, or other sport drink, and attach a label that says something like the following:

Choose a day to hand out the ice-cold nutritional drinks to people at a park or sporting event. At the end of the pre-determined time period, meet together to share experiences and pray for those with whom you each interacted. Continue to pray that they would have the boldness to twist off the cap of their woundedness and drink of God's refreshing unconditional love.

You might also try to:

• Offer to help a neighbor, friend, or co-worker with yard work.
  
  
• Arrange an all-day date with a child, spouse, or parent.
  
  
• Write about a favorite childhood memory and send it to someone who was a part of that memory.
  
  

Originally published online at SmallGroups.com, August 9, 2005.

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