LESSON 7: REPRODUCIBLE

Ready

“... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20).

Set

In 1986, Bobby Bowden, football coach of the Florida State Seminoles, stood in the locker room before his teammates and coaches after a player was shot and killed at a party. Bowden said each of us must ultimately answer for whether we place our faith in Jesus.

In 2019, the varsity softball I coach had sisters on the team whose mom was diagnosed with cancer during the fall. Less than six months later, during the spring season, she died.

These seasons remind us as Christian coaches that our mission extends beyond wins and losses. It extends beyond developing players. It even extends beyond having a positive impact on players— the kind where players come back to visit us when they’re in town after they graduate. All of these have their place, but as Christian coaches, our mission is simple: make disciples.

This is what Billy Graham meant when he said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.”

Jesus was more blunt in his last words to his followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).

We are called to make disciples as coaches. This begins with sharing our faith. We can’t make disciples without planting seeds for others to place their faith in Christ. This continues with teaching the Word of God.

We also must set an example. We cannot impart what we do not possess.

Finally, it involves challenging players to go and do likewise—to also share their faith, teach others the Word of God, and set an example. When we lead players to do this and go and do likewise, and they do the same, the message spreads.

It’s not always easy. Consider these two words of encouragement.

First, Jesus is with us.

At the end of the Great Commission, Jesus says, “... surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is with us, too.

Second, this is so worth it.

Back to Bobby Bowden in 1986. In that room during the meeting was a young graduate assistant coach named Mark Richt. He placed his faith in Jesus as a result of Bowden’s words. Bowden led Richt to faith in Christ and discipled him; Richt has done the same with dozens of others.

You may have the next Mark Richt on your staff or team.

Go

1. How comfortable are you in sharing your faith and the gospel with players? What challenges do you face in doing so?
2. In what ways do you share your faith and God’s Word with players? Is it limited to Bible study, or do you consistently share it in your daily discussions with them?
3. Read Matthew 28:19–20 again. From these and other verses, list some reasons why we are to share our faith with our players and others.