Above Reproach

(Part 4 of the Beyond Trophies Series)

Just for fun, Part 4 starts with a delivery tip before I tell you about two debate teams you may know.

Would you like to take your vocal expression to the next level of excellence?  Then seek to let your audience HEAR your FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.  No, that wasn’t a typo.  Seriously, think about using your voice in such a way that, if part of your audience couldn’t see you, you could let them know what facial expression you were wearing just by the sound of your voice.  Sounds funny, I know, but thinking about using your voice this way can work wonders.  Ask someone to listen to you with his eyes shut and let you know if you’re getting the hang of it.

Now, about a bigger vision for debate . . . Remember when I asked you to consider going after lasting influence—for the sake of God’s kingdom priorities— instead of going after temporary trophies?

In Ephesians 4:1-3, the Apostle Paul entreats his readers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness, diligently preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  What does that look like in a debate round?  I want to tell you about the lasting influence of two debate teams.

I heard about the conduct of one these teams in a rather unusual place—in an impromptu speech round.  The topic was meekness, which the speaker defined as power appropriately under control, and one of the examples he used was a debate team.  The speaker explained that, though this team was very good and could easily tangle with the best teams, when they debated a less experienced team they appropriately held back and didn’t run every argument in the book.  This team understood that there was no need to mercilessly crush another team, and exemplified power under control.  I’d seen the team he was describing, and I knew he was right.

Now, while there may be no mechanism for your league to publicly recognize honorable behavior, don’t ever forget that people are watching you, even when you don’t realize it.  The debaters mentioned in the impromptu were amazed when I told them what I had heard.  And always remember that God is judging, too.  In His eyes, the real winners are the ones who debate in a manner worthy of their calling.

The next team I want to tell you about is a team that my children debated more times in two years than any other team—and they beat my children every single time.  But you know what?  This team inspired my children’s genuine respect, and not plots of revenge.  Why?  Because this team was polite and gracious, they ran legitimate arguments, they didn’t accuse their opponents of not responding to arguments when they actually had, they performed no tricky evidence twisting, and they directed no sarcastic and insulting low blows to opposing teams.  It reminded me of what Paul speaks of in Philippians 2:14—proving to be “children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world...”

Both teams I told you about are no longer in the league, but their influence is still there.  And I guarantee you that others will remember your conduct long after they remember how you placed.

So here’s your challenge:  I challenge you to conduct yourself in such a way that your former opponents become your fans even after you beat them out of outrounds.  Think it’s impossible?  I’ve seen it happen . . . more than once!

Next time:  Scissor Steps Steal the Show!