Empowering Young Lives Through Focus and Mentorship

 

Summary

In today's message, I emphasized the importance of staying focused and resisting distractions to achieve success. Growing up in challenging environments often presents numerous distractions, but we must not let our surroundings dictate our future. Our goal is to connect young men with mentors who can guide them not only in sports but also in life, helping them become the individuals they were meant to be rather than just another statistic. It's crucial to live a life of purpose and not waste the opportunities we have.

I am passionate about using my platform to influence and guide young people, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their potential. We should strive to be role models, showing them that there is always a way forward. It only takes one person to make a significant impact, and that influence can ripple through their peers and community. Hard work is essential, regardless of the field or dream, and while the journey may be challenging, the rewards are worth the effort.

As professional athletes, we have a responsibility to use our influence for good. Beyond the game, we are leaders who can help bring communities together and uplift those who are struggling. This initiative, part of The Urban Alternative, aims to adopt public schools nationwide and have athletes mentor young men, relating to them both as players and individuals. By doing so, we hope to inspire them to become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resisting Distractions: Success requires a steadfast focus, especially when growing up in environments filled with distractions. It's vital to not let your surroundings dictate your future but instead strive to overcome them and pursue your true potential. [00:37]

2. Purposeful Living: Life should be lived with purpose, avoiding the tragedy of a wasted existence. By understanding our purpose, we can contribute to making the world a better place and inspire others to do the same. [01:08]

3. The Power of Influence: One person can make a significant impact. By being a positive influence, you can inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that can transform communities. [01:37]

4. The Role of Hard Work: Achieving dreams requires dedication and effort. While the path may be difficult, the rewards of hard work are invaluable, and nothing worth having comes easy. [02:00]

5. Leadership and Responsibility: As leaders, especially those with a platform, we have a duty to uplift and guide others. By mentoring and supporting young people, we can help them become the individuals they were meant to be, impacting their lives positively. [02:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Overcoming Distractions
- [01:08] - Living with Purpose
- [01:37] - Influence and Impact
- [02:00] - The Value of Hard Work
- [02:34] - Leadership and Mentorship
- [03:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV) - "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
2. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) - "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the distractions mentioned in the sermon that can prevent young people from achieving success? [00:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of mentors in the lives of young men? [02:34]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of living a life with purpose? [01:08]
4. What responsibilities do professional athletes have beyond their sports, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:00]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Proverbs 4:25-27 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on resisting distractions and staying focused on one's goals?
2. In what ways does 1 Timothy 4:12 encourage young people to be role models, and how does this align with the sermon’s message about influence and impact? [01:37]
3. How can the concept of "throwing off everything that hinders" in Hebrews 12:1-2 be applied to the challenges faced by young people in difficult environments?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of one person’s positive influence on their community? [01:37]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when distractions have hindered your progress. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions in the future? [00:37]
2. Identify a young person in your life who could benefit from mentorship. How can you take a step towards being a positive influence in their life this week? [02:34]
3. Consider your current life goals. How can you ensure that you are living with purpose and not wasting the opportunities you have? [01:08]
4. What specific actions can you take to use your influence for good in your community, similar to the responsibilities of professional athletes mentioned in the sermon? [02:00]
5. Think about a person who has been a positive role model for you. What qualities did they exhibit, and how can you emulate those qualities in your interactions with others? [01:08]
6. How can you incorporate hard work and perseverance into your daily routine to achieve your dreams, despite the challenges you may face? [01:37]
7. What is one practical way you can contribute to making your community a better place, as encouraged by the sermon? [02:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Overcoming Environmental Distractions
In life, distractions are inevitable, especially when one grows up in challenging environments. These distractions can often dictate the course of one's future if not actively resisted. It is crucial to maintain a steadfast focus on personal goals and aspirations, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. By doing so, individuals can rise above their environments and pursue their true potential. This requires a conscious effort to identify and overcome the distractions that threaten to derail one's progress. [00:37]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What specific distractions in your environment are hindering your progress, and how can you actively work to overcome them today?


Day 2: Living with Purpose
Living a life of purpose is essential to avoid the tragedy of a wasted existence. Understanding one's purpose allows individuals to contribute positively to the world and inspire others to do the same. It involves recognizing the unique opportunities and talents one possesses and using them to make a meaningful impact. By living purposefully, individuals can ensure that their lives are not only fulfilling but also beneficial to those around them. [01:08]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can live more purposefully today, using your unique talents and opportunities to make a positive impact?


Day 3: The Ripple Effect of Influence
The power of influence is profound, as one person's positive actions can inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that can transform entire communities. By being a positive influence, individuals can encourage others to strive for better and to believe in their potential. This influence is not limited to grand gestures but can be seen in everyday actions and interactions. It is a reminder that everyone has the capacity to make a significant impact, no matter how small it may seem. [01:37]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you positively influence today, and what specific action can you take to set an example for them?


Day 4: The Value of Hard Work
Achieving dreams requires dedication and effort, as nothing worth having comes easy. The path to success is often challenging, but the rewards of hard work are invaluable. It is important to remain committed to one's goals, even when faced with obstacles and setbacks. Hard work not only leads to personal achievement but also serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. [02:00]

"Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." (Proverbs 22:29, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to apply more dedication and effort, and what steps can you take today to work towards that goal?


Day 5: Leadership and Mentorship
As leaders, especially those with a platform, there is a responsibility to uplift and guide others. Mentoring and supporting young people can help them become the individuals they were meant to be, positively impacting their lives. This leadership role involves not only guiding others in their pursuits but also being a source of encouragement and support. By doing so, leaders can help shape the future and inspire the next generation to achieve greatness. [02:34]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can mentor or support in their journey today, and how can you actively invest in their growth and development?

Quotes

In order to be successful, you have to refuse to get distracted. And growing up in our situation, our environment, it's a lot of distractions. The environment you're in will win, and you can't allow it to. [00:00:13]

Our goal will be to get a player who plays your position to meet with you and to talk to you about football and your position, but also to talk to you about life, so that they can invest in you so that you can become the man that you were created to be and not a statistic that so many young men are becoming today. [00:00:30]

We want you to succeed in whatever you wind up doing with your life. The worst thing in the world is to live a wasted life. [00:00:57]

This is my passion. To now have the platform to actually go out there and influence kids and get them on track. I think we should be great role models and encourage these young men and make them believe there's always a way. So I tried to just be real with them about life, that we have a purpose on this earth and it's up to us to help this world become a better place. [00:01:08]

It takes one kid. It takes one kid to have the same influence that I have on them to have on his peers. Hard work is hard work, no matter what sport, no matter what dream. And I just encourage you guys, whatever y'all want to work hard at, go get it. [00:01:28]

Will it be hard at times? Yes. Will it be distractions? Yes. Will it be easy? No, it won't be easy. But nothing in life worth having is easy. [00:01:47]

I play this game because I love to play, but at the same time, I play because, like I said, I have this platform to influence. And I feel like as professional athletes, it's kind of our due. There are people out in this world, there are leaders outside of—you know, seeing us play football. And we are all important parts of this process of getting our community together and getting people back on their feet and try to impact one life to make the world a better place. [00:01:50]

This is part of a national initiative through The Urban Alternative to get public schools adopted all throughout this nation and to have professional athletes come and minister to the young men who play their positions, that way they can relate to them not only as players, but they can relate to them as persons, and inspire them to become the kind of young men in life that they were intended to be. [00:02:18]

We are seeking to see young men's lives changed, not only on the field but off, through the support of athletes who use their platform to inspire these kids to live the right kind of life and become the right kind of people. [00:02:42]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?