WEEK ONE BREAKOUT: Knowing Fantasy Players and Knowing God
- Bryce Johnson
- 10 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Above is the Full Breakout Segment Conversation Only (20ish Minutes)
"And those who know Your name [who have experienced Your precious mercy] will put their confident trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You." ―Psalm 9:10
" I know my players better than they know themselves."
― Legendary College Football Coach Bear Bryant with the University of Alabama
Fantasy Football season is finally here! I’ve been playing for over 20 years, and it’s amazing to see how much the activity has grown. If this is your first season, welcome!
At some point, all of us have been introduced to Fantasy Football. Before we ever jump into playing Fantasy Football, we have an initial understanding of what it is. We understand that NFL players are on Fantasy teams, and their stats earn managers points. We comprehend that Fantasy leagues have drafts, make trades, and often have crazy Fantasy punishments.
However, it’s one thing to know about Fantasy Football (how it works, the league settings and rules, how to play, or what it’s about), but until we actually participate and truly experience it for ourselves, we don’t fully know Fantasy Football.
Ultimately, though, the key to knowing Fantasy Football is knowing the players. Fantasy Football without players is just an empty roster with rules and settings. So, we have to know who these guys are because they'll determine how our season turns out. If we don’t know who the players are, then we won’t know who to draft, who to start, and who to pick up.
How do we find out who these NFL players are? We spend time reading about them and studying their careers. We spend time talking about them with other Fantasy managers. We spend time listening to experts describe the type of player they are and what they can do.
But as a Fantasy manager, the best way to really know a player is by spending time with them. We're unlikely to pick up the phone and call them, but every game we turn on, we spend time watching them play. After the game, we then listen to them in interviews and press conferences too.
What happens is, we begin to understand the type of player they really are. It goes beyond just their stats because now we’ve actually seen them with our own eyes and heard them speak. It’s one thing to know information about a player, but completely different when you know them for yourself based on your experience seeing them in action.
Likewise, at some point, all of us have been introduced to church, faith, a small group, or God. Maybe this is your first time in a small group. If so, welcome!
Before we ever jump into church or faith, we have an initial understanding of what it is. We understand that people gather on Sundays for music and a sermon. We comprehend that people have certain beliefs, read the Bible, and pray.
However, it’s one thing to know about church and how it works, or what it’s about, and even to know a little bit about the Bible and the “league’s settings and rules,” but we have to actually truly experience church for ourselves. We have to serve, participate, give, and engage with others. We have to get to know the church and those who are a part of it.
Ultimately, though, the key is knowing who God is and experiencing Him for ourselves. Church without God is just about a building with “rules and settings”. So, the point is that we have to know God personally, and that happens through a relationship with His Son, Jesus, who was sent to earth to die on the cross to pay the punishment for our sin and rise again in victory. Now by faith, we surrender our lives to Jesus as we turn from our sin and trust Him as our Lord and Savior.
John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
He determines how our “season will turn out” on earth and for eternity. If we don’t know Jesus, then we don’t know how to truly live now, and we won’t have everlasting life.
Jesus prays in John 17:3 (ESV), “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
We are invited into a personal friendship with Jesus, which means we get to know Him deeply. The more we know Him, the more we love Him, and the more we rely on Him to help us obey and live within His “league rules and settings.”
How do we get to know Him? We read about Him and study His life. We spend time talking about Him with others. We listen to pastors and teachers describe His character and what He can do as we hear about His power, grace, mercy, and love.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT) tells us, "This is what the Lord says: 'Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
But the best way to truly know God is to spend time with Him, enjoy His presence, and experience His power, grace, mercy, and love. No, we can’t pick up the phone and call Him, but every day we can spend time in fellowship and prayer, listening to Him speak through the Bible and to our hearts.
What happens is, we begin to understand who Jesus really is. It goes beyond what we've just heard others tell us about Him, because now we’ve actually seen how real He is and heard His voice. It’s one thing to know information about God, but completely different when you know Him for yourself based on your experience seeing Him in action. As we seek to know Jesus better, He will reveal Himself to us, and we will desire to follow Him and become more like Him.
1 John 2:3 (AMP) states, “And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).”
Jesus tells us in John 14:21(AMP), “The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].”
Fantasy Football only makes sense when we know the players, and life only has meaning and purpose when we know Jesus. So let’s keep pursuing Him and grow in our knowledge of Him and our love for Him.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18; NIV)
Heavenly Father, thank you for making a way for me to know you personally.
I pray that You help me know
You better. I pray I don't just know about You based on what others say, but know You deeply for myself. Please help me seek You with all my heart.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
What players are you most excited to watch in Week 1?
What player did you watch for yourself last season that you knew you had to draft this year?
What player have you heard the most buzz about from others that has you intrigued to see in action?
How is Fantasy Football different from what you once thought before you started playing, based on what you know now since you've experienced it?
How hard has it been for you to get to know the players that are relevant to Fantasy Football?
In what ways has it been tough to get to know God personally, or what has held you back?
For those of you who know God, in what ways have you gotten to know Him better for yourself?
What is the difference between knowing facts and information about God vs. knowing Him in a deep, real way?
What happens when we know God in this way? How does our life change?
What are your hopes and expectations for "league meetings" this fall, and in what ways do you hope to grow in your knowledge of Jesus and relationship with Him?
Make sure your league uses a group chat, a Fantasy app, or a Facebook group to communicate during games and throughout the week so that you can discuss Fantasy, faith, and life topics between "league meetings." Also, make sure everyone shares contact info so you can reach out for trades, "matchup meetings," encouragement, and prayer requests.
Which Dolphins rookie produced 51.3 PPR points against Denver by accumulating 233 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns? Answer: De’Von Achane
Spend time with God this week, getting to know Him for yourself. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you as you read His Word and pray.
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