[Before you begin, write the Bible verse on a sheet of paper so everyone can see it when you get to that section. You will be stressing individual parts of the verse.]
Ask This
How would you define or explain the word, opportunity? (Work as a group to create a group definition of “opportunity.”)
Say This
The exciting thing about opportunities is that they are never planned. They tend to happen when we least expect them. And when they do, we need to be ready.
Ask This
Why is it important to be ready?
Say This
I’m going to show you a video and I want you to watch carefully because I’m going to ask you something about it at the end.
Watch This
Ask This
What do you remember most about the first video?
Say This
In the first video, Coach Dabo Swinney made a comment about opportunity. What did he say? (“He prepared for an opportunity, even if it never came. Better to be prepared without an opportunity than to be unprepared with an opportunity.”)
Ask This
What does that mean to you? What can happen if you are not prepared? What happens when you are prepared for the opportunity? Has there ever been a time when one of us had an unexpected opportunity to serve or help each other?
Say This
The second video is the last scene from the movie, Rudy. It’s a story of a short kid who dreamed about playing football at the University of Notre Dame. He made the team, but only as a practice player. He worked hard at practice everyday knowing he would never play in a game. Before the last game of his last season, the coach agreed to let him dress with the team and be on the sidelines. And as you saw, his opportunity came and he was prepared.
Ask This
What would have happened if Rudy never got to play? What are some things he might have learned from months of practicing, but never getting to play? Would all of that work be wasted time?
Read This
Ephesians 5:15,16 - “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…”
Say This
Let’s break this down into small pieces. (Dad take a moment to explain, stress and when possible, share a personal example of each piece): “Be very careful,” “how you live,” “not as unwise,” “but as wise,” “make the most,” “of every opportunity.” There’s that word again...opportunity.
Say This
Later in chapter 5 we see that the “opportunity” Paul is pointing out is doing things that help us grow in our relationship with God and each other.
Ask This
When has our family had unexpected opportunities to grow closer to each other and were we ready for it? Have we ever had an unexpected opportunity to help someone having a bad experience? How can our family be prepared for more opportunities to serve others?
Say This
Let’s ask God to help our family always be prepared and to help us recognize the opportunities to grow stronger and to help others.
Pray This
Dear Jesus, we want to be a family that is prepared for opportunity. Whether it be to help each other, grow together as a family or to serve others, we don’t want to miss it. Please help us to be prepared by walking with You and encouraging each other as we go. Thank you. Amen.