Today, we started our time by playing two specific Super Smash Bros Ultimate rounds. In one round, we played with all kinds of extra items. This obviously makes the gameplay extremely chaotic and wild. Our students had a great time with this play style as you weren’t sure what was happening. The second round was different in that we turned off ALL items. This required the students to really work for their wins.

The Lesson

Last week we talked about the importance of knowing your identity as a Christian. To illustrate this we talked about how, in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, it’s important to understand the very nature of the character you’re playing as. If you don’t understand what they are good at and what they aren’t, then you’re seeing yourself up for a loss. In the same way, as Christians, if we don’t understand who we are as Christians and what we aren’t, then we are setting ourselves up to fail to be a contender.  Today’s conversation is kind of a continuation of this discussion.

In Super Smash Bros Ultimate you can have access to various items during a match. The items range from “Battering Items” like the hammer and Star Rod to “Helping Items” like the Assist Trophy or the Poke Ball.

Ask: Can you consider yourself a real contender if all you do is rely on those items the entire time?  Why or why not?

Logically it makes sense that you can’t be a real contender if you do nothing but rely on the items on a stage to fight. What happens if you play a round where items are turned off? You’d be in a world of hurt!

Ask: So what’s the alternative to relying on items all the time?

You need to learn how your character moves and how to use its attacks. The basics of this would be things like your neutral attacks, run attacks, smash attacks, and special attacks.  Let’s look at one of the characters I main, Richter. I know his nature. He excels at grabbing, and he has a long reach. However, some of his projectiles are easily reflected or dodged. His neutral attack on the ground is a simple whip attack, but he has a decent jump attack with his whip too. Some of his specials include throwing Holy Water and a boomerang cross.  He’s not classified as a very good character in the game, but I do all right with him because I understand the essentials that he has.

What are some things that aren’t bad, but relying on them won’t necessarily help us be good contenders?

1. Youth Camp/Convention
2. Special Services
3. Christian Podcasts/YouTube channels
4. Christian TV
5. Listening to Christian music (but not actually worshiping)

So the question then becomes, for us to be good contenders, what are essentials and what are the extra items that help us?

The Essentials

• The Bible
  1. READ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Ask: Why is the Bible Important?
    • It is “God Breathed” / “Inspired by God.” Meaning these are the very words of God himself. He gave us this to teach us about Him and his plan of salvation for mankind.It reveals to us what is true and not trueIt shows us how to correct the things that are wrong in our lives to helps us grow into what God has for us.
    • It equips us to do good things
• Prayer
  1. READ Psalm 145:18
  • ASK: According to this verse, why is prayer important?
    1. Prayer by nature is us communicating with God directly. As a result, when we do that, He draws close to us.Communicating with people is how we get close to each other. Yes God often communicates with us through His word, this should never be diminished, but prayer is another essential communication tool with God.
    1. Prayer is meant to be a two-way communication. Not only we talk to him, but we should be willing to sit in silence and allow him to communicate back to us.

• Fellowship
  • READ: Hebrews 10:25
    • ASK: What is this verse reminding us to do? Gathering together is essential for us to be good contenders as Christians.
    • Coming together does several things.
      • We can encourage each other and help each other grow in the community.
      • In the community, we can better reach more people.

Challenge: This week be intentional about spending time in the 3 essentials. At least 5 minutes a day and be ready to share about how those times went next week.