Legendary Coaches: Jack Lengyel and Bobby Bowden

Theme: Legendary Coaches - Jack Lengyel and Bobby Bowden

Large Group Lesson

I. Understanding the Big Picture

A. Jack Lengyel

1. Basic Facts and Accomplishments from Wikipedia

2. Show DVD Special Feature from “We Are Marshall” starting at 1:50 and ending at 5:13

3. Coach Lengyel: inspired his players to honor the memories of those who have gone on before us understanding that we have a small part in a much bigger picture.

B. Author of Hebrews understood this

1. Chapter 11: by faith Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, read v. 32-39.

a. These people left a legacy that has been passed on to us

b. Their faith lead the way for us to do great things NOW!

2. Hebrews 12:1-3 - “a great cloud of witnesses” inspire us to do our best!

II. Understanding our Main Priority!

A. Bobby Bowden

1. Basic Facts and Accomplishments from Wikipedia

2. Show DVD Special Feature from “We Are Marshall” starting at 5:14 and ending at 12:50

3. Coach Bowden coached with LOVE as the main priority.

B. A Case Study of John

1. Jesus teaches him to love in John 13:34-35

2. John passes it on to others in 1 John 4:7-12

III. Conclusion: How will this apply to your small group?

1. Can you fully grasp all the people in your life who have brought you into this moment right now? Can you fully appreciate the flow of history that has brought you to right now?

2. Do you understand the main priority of our small groups? It is to love and be loved. It is to experience fully God’s love for us so that we too can be agents of his love to others.

Theme: Legendary Coaches - Jack Lengyel and Bobby Bowden

Small Group Discussion

Questions that can be used for discussion:

What specifically impacted you about Jack Lengyel?

Who are some of the people that have had a significant impact on shaping who you are today?

How can we honor those who have help to make us who we are?

What specifically impacted you about Bobby Bowden?

Does “love” seem like a good coaching strategy? Do you think the Bengals should try this approach?

Coach Bowden’s methods are extremely effective. How can we implement love within the context of our small groups?

Love takes effort and work. Love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes and goes. Love is saying I will commit myself to the well-being of others. Some people are easy to love and some people are not so easy. Can you commit to being sure that love is the main priority of your small group?

Spend time in prayer as a small group on these topics:

1. Prayer of Thanksgiving: for all of those who have come before you to bring You to this moment in time. The freedoms you have as an American and as a Christian.

2. Prayer of Commitment: Pray that LOVE is the main priority of your small group this year. That you all look out for each others best interests, celebrate good time, hold each other up through tough times, defend each other at school, and hold each other accountable through times of
temptation.