Game Day Week 4

Bob Veroulis • September 16, 2026

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

A Team Devotional — John 13:31-35

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:34-35


Where We Are

We're a quarter of the way through the season. The excitement of Week 1 has worn off. Guys know their roles now — and know each other's frustrations. This is exactly when love gets tested: not when hope is undefeated, but after a tough loss, a benching, a season that isn't going like we drew it up.


The Setting

Jesus gives this command at the Last Supper — after washing His disciples' feet, right after Judas walks out to betray Him, right before Peter denies Him three times. He commands love in the mess, not after everyone's earned it.


Three Things This Means for Us

1. We don't quit on each other over a bad record. Jesus loved the ten who stayed — and still loved Judas. We don't sub out love for a teammate because he had a bad game.

2. Love, not the scoreboard, is our real mark. People won't remember every score. They'll remember how this team treated each other when it got hard.

3. Love serves before it's talented. Jesus got on His knees. Love here looks like the starter picking up the backup, the senior mentoring the freshman, showing up for a bad day like you'd show up for a big win.


The Challenge

We can't control every bounce the rest of this season. We can control how we treat each other. Quarter two starts now — not just of the season, but of how we love.


Reflection

  • Who have you drifted from since Week 1? What's one step to close that gap this week?
  • Who needs you to love them first — before they've earned it?
  • What would it mean for people outside this program to say, "I don't know their record, but I know how they treat each other"?


Prayer

Lord, teach us to love each other the way You loved Your disciples — in the mess, unearned, even when the season isn't going how we hoped. Let this team be known for how we love, not just how we compete. Amen.