Legendary Coaches: George Horton and John Wooden

Theme: Legendary Coaches - George Horton and John Wooden

Large Group Lesson

I. Understanding Our Focus

A. George Horton

1. Basic Facts and Accomplishments from Wikipedia

2. Show DVD Special Feature from “We Are Marshall” starting at 24:13 and ending at 29:40

3. Coach Horton: taught the 3 “P’s”: to stay present, stay positive and stay with the process.

B. Philippians 3:7-14

1. Paul does not focus on failure or the past

2. Paul understands the goal

3. “I press on toward the goal” Paul lives in the moment, in the process! He is FOCUSED on the present.

II. Understanding Our Impact

A. John Wooden

1. Basic Facts and Accomplishments from Wikipedia

2. Show Video Special Feature from “We Are Marshall” starting at 29:41 and ending at 36:23

3. Coach Wooden: understood that we make a LIFE by what we GIVE!

B. Matthew 5:13-16

1. Salt gives: flavor, taste, preservation

2. Light gives: clarity, direction, focus, understanding

C. Galatians 5:22-26; 6:7-10

1. Spiritual fruit: gives an abundance of good stuff from me to others

2. Spiritual fruit: reaps a harvest of even better things

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

1. We live in an entertainment based culture where it is so easy not to focus on anything other than my own entertainment and self-gratification. Focus takes determination and will-power. What is it that you need to focus on for this year to help you grow spiritually?

2. If you were able to view the end of your life right now, what type of person would you hope you are? What can you do now to develop the kind of fruit you want your life to develop?

Theme: Legendary Coaches - George Horton and John Wooden

Small Group Discussion

Questions that can be used for discussion:

What specifically impacted you about George Horton?

Why does the fear of failure hold us back at times? What makes our minds go to worst-case-scenarios that hold us back from even trying?

How can focusing too much on the “end result” take our focus off of doing our best in the present moment?

You will fail. A good baseball player averages .300! That is a lot of strike outs! How will you deal with failure when it comes your way? How will you deal with others when they fail you and your team?

What specifically impacted you about John Wooden?

This is his Seven Point Creed for life:
1. Be true to yourself
2. Make each day your masterpiece
3. Help others
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
5. Make friendship a fine art
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day
7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day

Study Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Take a copy home with you and put it up in your bedroom. What strikes you about his Creed and Pyramid?

If you could sum up his approach into one word what would it be? CHARACTER! Wooden understood that if he could create a better QUALITY OF LIFE for his players then he would have extraordinary athletes.

Live a life where you can look forward to the hear-after! How can we do this now?

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

1. Prayer for Strength: Every athlete will go through loses that are difficult, but through adversity we can either give up or grow stronger. Pray for super-natural strength from God to live each moment for him through his strength.

2. Prayer for Character: The quality of character as described by Paul in the letter to the Galatians comes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in your life that is godly and beneficial to yourself and others. Pray that godly character may develop within you so that you may be used of God to be his light in this world.