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What is a Devotion?
• A method of communicating God’s Word.
• A time of spiritual focus and teaching.
• A medium through which the Gospel is taught
in an interesting and relevant manner.
• A time of fellowship and interaction among
the members of each team.
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Why do Devotions?
• To embrace a sacred, spiritual focus for every
game, and to preach the Gospel
• To encompass the CCSA theme for outreach and
fellowship.
• To emphasize team spirituality rather than
competition and rivalry.
• To enhance team participation and involvement.
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How to prepare Devotion:
1. Preparation of Self:
**WE MUST take a look in that spiritual mirror before doing
anything else! )
** Things to remember:
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•
We are sharing God's message, not our own
If this is God's message, then we must listen to what the Holy Spirit is
trying to say through us. Sin separates us from communion with God;
therefore we must deal with our sins before approaching the Word.
Spirit → message → us
us → message -/-> sin -/->
Spirit
The main purpose of this league was to spread the Word of God, rather than to try
and win every game at any cost.
Embrace: devotions are the core of the CCSA. Without the devotions, the focus
and purpose behind the CCSA are lost.
Encompass: good opportunity to allow other members of the team a chance at
sharing and contributing equally to the team’s overall spirituality & growth.
Emphasis: de-emphasizes individual playing ability, spiritual level. Focusing more
on team’s spiritual growth/development, rather than winning.
Enhance: allows greater participation among the members of the team. e.g. a
youth pastor/minister is not a more “spiritual” person than another. All are equal
participants with one team goal.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not
greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock.” I Peter 5:2,3
Spiritual Head...
We have an awesome responsibility of being the primary leader of the team.
We must: (1) Discern God’s purpose/direction for the team and communicate this
to our team. (2) Develop a concrete plan to accomplish God’s goals for the team.
This involves organizing, training, motivating and mobilizing the team
members.
Pastoral Charge...
We as governors assume the role of the team pastor and must be a student of the
Word, grounded in God’s truth so that we can counsel, advise, correct and
discipline (Titus 1:9)
We are directly accountable to God for the Spiritual well-being of all members of
the team, Christians, nominal Christians and non-Christians. (Hebrews 13:17).
Counselor/Servant...
The governor is a devoted servant of the team in terms of intercessory prayer (for
each member by name), practical help and counsel.
The governor must be prepared to dedicate many hours per week to the team
(above and beyond playing time).
Liaison... Self - explanatory.
Overseer...
The team conscience, has the responsibility of making sure that everybody has a
fair chance (i.e. equal playing time) and is enjoying themselves.
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2. Preparation of Message
What is your theme? topic? Scripture?
Who is your audience? (New Christians, non believers, seekers, prodigals,
strong believers)
What is my main idea of this message?
Is it short and to the point? How long is my devo?
What are some hooks you can use? (activity, story, experience, questions,
jokes, news, etc)
What is the take home message for Christians? Non-Christians?
Work with the other team’s Governor/ Leadership !!
Be aware of your Team’s & the other team’s Needs
Keep it simple, but… Please … know your stuff!!!
 **Remember the Non-Christians.
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How does one DO a Devotion?
• Involve as many team members as
possible...particularly the coaches.
• Create an open forum for ideas.
• Develop a stable formula.
• Keep it simple, but know your stuff.
• Please Remember the Non-Christians!!!!
• Have Fun !
At this point, let’s talk about what the Coach does first.
Set-up overhead - List coach responsibilities, take answers from audience.
Now let’s list the responsibilities of a governor. Any suggestions?
Some ideas to keep in mind while preparing a devotion...
-Involving as many people embraces ideology of teamwork, a group of people of
different backgrounds working towards a common goal.
-Having many people means more ideas floating around...excellent brainstorm
moments when stuck with deciding just what to do.
-Work with the format of your devotion. If it works (i.e. keeps people’s attention,
informative/inspirational), then use the basic formula for future ones.
-Keep in mind that not everybody is a biblical scholar. However, keeping it simple
does not mean be simplistic. The most difficult concepts can be translated into key
phrases that are simple to remember, but don’t underestimate anyone.
-Remember there are non-Christians. They may not be familiar with conventional
Christian themes. Be patient, but be informative. Don’t ignore their contribution -- a
valuable lesson for all. On top of it all - avoid “quilting” them into doing something
they do not want to do
-Above all, have fun in preparing and doing. Making it fun is contagious and it
makes the preparing all the more quicker.
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Methodology
• Have a common unifying theme for the season
• Try something new
• Don’t do everything yourself, use your team
resources
• Plan in advance. Train and disciple future
Governors
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Psychology
• Be aware of your audience’s attention span & learning
styles
Re-iterating a very important point: one common theme for all members. During
devotion preps, keep in mind what the team is striving for. Is it to improve playing
ability or improve attitude while playing? Getting re-acquainted with God or deepen
relationship with God?
Be creative with your format. Try something different, like a skit involving members
from your team re-enacting a scenario, or a game that involves everybody.
Don’t do it alone. The more people are involved, the more ideas, resources,
participants, etc., available in creating a devotion that applies to everybody.
Don’t do it last-minute. People will recognize a last-minute job. Doing a good job
makes impressions on people, especially those who may carry the torch after you.
This is probably the hardest part: know your “audience”
 Being aware of audience’s mentality helps preparing the type of devotion
that will come across
 After developing a solid format, use variety. It gets boring after a while
repeating the same pattern: pray, sing, message, pray, go home
 Use methods other than sermons. This means don’t just lecture to people.
They want to feel very much a part of the devotion
 Show enthusiasm. Be aware of what emotions to use during each stage of
the devotion: e.g. initially, be enthusiastic to welcome others; be
contemplative during the message or while sharing feelings
 Be emphatic
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• Use other methods other than a
Sermon(technology, musical instrument)
• Change the pace of your devotion
• Be enthusiastic
• Emotions are a strong tool
• Be Empathic
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PRACTICE TIME
!!
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Create a devotion
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Attitude towards myself: Matthew 5:3-5/ HEB 13;11-13
Seeing yourself as you truly are: Matthew 5:43-48
Depression: John 16:33/ Romans 4-18-22
Sharing your faith: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Judging others: 1 Timothy 2:9,10 / James 2:2-4
Submission to Government: Romans 13;1/ Titus 3:1/ 1
Cor. 11:2-16
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Where to get more information
• Use other Governors
• Your Christian Book store
Faith Family Books & Gifts; Tyndale University & Seminary;
Canadian Bible Society
• Any local Church Book Room
• ccsasoftball.net
• E-mail me:
governing@ccsasoftball.net
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Slide 15
Stand in Your Anointing !!!
You ARE EMPOWERED for this
moment!!!
Stand in “THE ANOINTING”
of this calling
Questions to ponder:
 Are you here to do God’s BUSINESS or just to fill the role??
 Are you willing to endure the discouragement, while being obedient in His
direction
 Don’t let the past dictate the “Now Moments” or the future of the ministry
you are being called to!!
 Past history can influence ones current responses.
 Will lead us all into that place of negativity, mediocrity, whining and
ultimately making this experience toxic!!!
 You are empowered for this moment
 God will be your anchor and stability
 He will give you abundant provision, within your salvation. Tap into the
source!!! “...my God will meet all your needs according to the riches in his
glory...” ~Phil. 4:19
 He’s thought of everything, we could need to fulfil you being a Governor.
 Stand in the anointing of this calling , better yet DESRIE TO BE IN HIS
ANOINTING