Can you imagine a time when fans believed LeBron James was unworthy of playing in the NBA? Back when he was just an 18-year-old phenom, but not everyone saw him as “the next Michael Jordan.” 

Though James was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, some teammates struggled with their egos. Carlos Boozer said, “We have better players than him at his position already on our team.” Darius Miles went even further, “I don’t think you can just bring a high school player in and really just think your team is gonna turn around.” Paul Silas, the head coach, was unsuccessful in getting the veterans to accept him. “Their egos wouldn’t allow it,” Silas told ESPN. Despite the jealousy, James went on to win Rookie of the Year and averaged 20 points per game. He helped his teammates improve from 17 wins before he was drafted to 35 wins in his rookie season. 

Ephesians 4 – Walk Worthy

Many teams struggle with keeping their egos in check, which often leads to chaos that destroys team unity. That should not be the case with Christian coaches and athletes. Paul addresses both issues in Ephesians 4. In previous chapters, he taught them deep theology, and now he shifts to practical application. As believers, we are to live differently. Our speech, relationships, identities, and priorities must align with the Kingdom of God. 

Paul emphasizes that because of the believers’ calling and position in Christ, we must live in a way that reflects that calling (4:1). These practical qualities include humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love, unity, peace, and hope (4:2-6). This demonstrates how the Ephesians lived in a manner worthy of their calling. It is also how the unity of the body is maintained during the process of spiritual growth.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete abandon the “old self” and adopt the “new self,” empowered by the Spirit, to live lives that please God (4:17-32). They prioritize Christ first, others second, and themselves last.

Bible Memory Verse – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12  (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Live Differently

Our featured book this week is Ecclesiastes – The Forward-Looking Coach. (A  10-Week Bible Study For Coaches Who Want To Lead With The End In Mind), written by Joshua Thiessen.

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