Central Florida went from 0-12 to unbeaten in 2017, one of the most incredible turnarounds in college football history. When Scott Frost took the head coaching job, he didn’t think his team would go from winless to flawless in a year. “I don’t think so,” Frost said when asked if he expected the turnaround to occur in two seasons. “I knew this place had unlimited potential; that’s what I said coming in. But this had been a 0-12 program.”

How did the Knights go from a punch line to the only team in history to go from a winless regular season to an undefeated season in just two years? It had to be more than installing a tempo or moving a few players to different positions. In a word—leadership! Frost’s mentors include Tom Osborne, Tony Dungy, and Bill Walsh. Here’s how Frost sees the importance of modeling the leadership he wants his players to emulate: “I think any time you’re a leader, you have to let people see that you’re willing to do some of the things they’re doing and work as hard as they’re doing.” When Frost left to take his dream job at the University of Nebraska, it was difficult because the players loved him and he loved them. 

1 Timothy 5 – Mentoring

Paul also understood the importance of leadership and the need to model it in the early church. He wanted Timothy to understand that an exemplary Christian leader should respect people, show compassion to those in need, and hold themselves to a higher standard than anyone else. The influence of a good mentor like the Apostle Paul on Timothy is hard to measure. Timothy had ministered side by side with Paul since the second missionary journey. As a result, he received practical guidance from a seasoned spiritual leader. 

For all the intellect and giftedness coaches might have, nothing takes the place of loving the people they lead. Paul chose the family analogy in chapter 5 because the same should be true for every church leader or shepherd. They need to enjoy interacting with people as much as preaching God’s Word and to treat people within the church with “kindness.”

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are concerned with the souls of those they lead by presenting the gospel and leading them to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:14).

Bible Memory Verse – “[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:4  2 Timothy 2:4 (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: Relating and Leading

Our featured book this week is Spiritual Runner (A Runner After God’s Own Heart) by Jolee Paden.                                                                                                                              

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