24/7 CoachesSample

READY 2

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.”—1 Thessalonians 3:12

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to model his example in love. Our primary calling as leaders is to love well those to whom God has given us to lead. We pray that you would coach and lead in such a way that you have the same confidence as Paul, a confidence that would allow you to encourage someone to imitate your love. Be bold and courageous in loving those around you, especially those who are difficult to love and those who have no one else to love them.

Key Scripture: Acts 10:1–43

This passage in the book of Acts describes a crucial turning point in salvation history. Peter gets an unexpected and puzzling vision followed by a strange request. However, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, Peter goes in obedience to share the good news about Jesus with Gentiles (non-Jews). When the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentile believers, Peter and his Jewish partners are amazed that the gift of salvation is extended to all people, Jews and Gentiles, by faith in Jesus.

Because of both Cornelius’s and Peter’s obedience to what God asked of both of them, the world was completely changed as the Kingdom was now advancing beyond Israel, just as Jesus had commanded in Matthew 28 and Acts 1:8. However, this obedience was costly for Peter. Not all the Jewish believers back in Jerusalem and Judea were comfortable with uncircumcised, non-Jewish people coming into God’s family. Peter demonstrates the need to serve well by being obedient to God. A good soldier serves at the behest of his commanding officer, and Kingdom soldiers should obediently serve the King as well, even when it takes us into “enemy territory.”

• Where could God be asking you to serve that is outside of your comfort zone?
• What does obedience to God in this season look like for you?

Go Serve

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:10.

God gives us gifts to steward on behalf of others, not to keep for our own benefit. Stewardship is a primary responsibility of a disciple of Jesus, and it extends far beyond simply our money or our time. Your calling to coach is a gift to steward well for the benefit of others! Do you view it that way? That whistle around your neck gives you a tremendous amount of influence. Use this gift of influence to serve others.

“For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”—Galatians 5:13

In Christ, we are completely free: free from evil, sin, and death. However, with this freedom comes responsibility. We don’t use our freedom as an opportunity to do whatever we want. We are free to do what God wants, as we serve in love. Notice here that love is how we serve one another. If we are growing in love, then we should be growing in service.