UNPACK This...Classic Sports Movies and Timeless TruthSample

Coach Carter

Coach Carter is an inspiring film based on the true story of Ken Carter taking the head basketball coaching job at Richmond High School.

Upon arrival, Carter sees that his players need discipline. Accordingly, he implements strict rules to prepare them for success in basketball and life.

Initially, some players reject Coach Carter’s discipline. Timo Cruz even attempts to punch Carter in the first practice.

There is an ebb and flow of situations involving Coach Carter’s discipline of the players: the team rallies behind Timo Cruz to help him return to the team; Carter locks the gym in response to his players’ poor grades; and players work diligently to raise their grades back up to par.

Ultimately, Carter never wavers from his initial stance on hard and necessary discipline.

The discipline Coach Carter establishes helps mold his players into young men. His genuine love and care for them are what motivates his discipline.

It’s easy to judge the players in their poor reactions to such discipline, but do we display similar responses to spiritual discipline?

The writer of Hebrews reminds us of the truth of discipline: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:7-11).

Although spiritual discipline isn’t always easy, let’s acknowledge that God allows trials to mature our faith. Today, as God faithfully guides us through discipline, let’s confidently proclaim His love for us.

I’m Luke Heaton, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for graciously disciplining me and growing me in my relationship with You through trials. I pray that I would be reminded of Your love for me even when trials seem so hard and unpleasant. In Jesus’ name, Amen.