In an interview with the Big Ten Network, legendary NFL coach Tony Dungy discussed how Tom Osborne’s positive example influenced his coaching career.

“In my first year as an NFL assistant coach, I visited the University of Nebraska to scout their senior football players. I was able to watch their head football coach, Tom Osborne, up close and personal. As a young coach, I was influenced by the way he handled his players. You could easily see how he cared about his players and how he was trying to help them become better as people, not just football players. As a 26-year-old coach, I could point to him and say that’s the way I want to coach. I want to be like this guy who not only turns out great players but also turns out good people. His example inspired me to coach calmly and respectfully yet remain very competitive.”

While Tom Osborne provided crucial insights for a young Tony Dungy to emulate, so did Paul for the Thessalonians involved in church ministry. Paul exemplified a ministry strategy worthy of emulating.

1 Thessalonians 1 – Exemplary Faith

Paul briefly mentions the Thessalonians in Acts 17. He formed a strong bond with the believers who embraced the gospel and established a church. Paul writes this letter to the church to encourage the young believers in their faith. 

Paul was thankful for the positive example the Thessalonians set for other churches by embracing their newfound faith and turning away from sin. They had become an outstanding example of faith, love, and hope (v. 3). Even when faced with persecution, they remained steadfast in the gospel message (v. 6).

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete serve as examples for others to follow in service to the living and true God (v. 9). “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:7).

Bible Memory Verse – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: An Example for Others

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