“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–7
Coaches like having things done their way. They will let their assistants teach some, but with the important things, the head coach will usually take the lead. Coaches teach young athletes and pound their game plan into their heads over and over again until it becomes second nature. It’s just what they do.
As coaches and athletes, when it comes to sharing Christ with our team, why do we leave it up to the youth pastor or chaplain or someone else? Moses was given a game plan by the Lord to teach the Israelites. The Lord told Moses, “I am giving you the words to teach them.” It was on the shoulders of Moses to pass God’s Word on to generations to come. Moses knew he had to succeed for the Lord.
A football coach would not let a coach of a different sport initiate the next game’s plan. Why would he? He knows he has to do it himself. So it is in our walk with Christ. We are to teach our players, our families, our friends, and anyone else who will listen about Christ. As coaches, we have the ears of many athletes who admire and listen to every word we say. We must give them the best word: God’s Word. It’s up to us! Remember if we don’t teach them, someone else will.
1. As a coach, when you want to implement a new game plan, who does it?
2. Do you share your faith with your team, or do you leave it up to someone else?
3. Today, how can you begin teaching the right life lessons to your team?
Extra Reading: Psalm 34:11; Proverbs 1:8; 4:11
Lord, help me live my faith before others. Give me the boldness to share Your Word with others when given the opportunity. Amen.
