Billy Graham, the famous evangelist, is credited with saying, “A coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime.” I’m not sure his statement was meant to be taken literally, but his hyperbolic emphasis is helpful. There is an intimate and powerful relationship that often develops between an athlete and a coach due to the time they spend together and the goals they share.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then a UCLA freshman known as Lew Alcindor, formed such a bond with then—UCLA basketball coach John Wooden that he wrote about it in his book, Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-year Friendship On and Off the Court.

In the book, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer reflects on Wooden’s record 10 NCAA championships with UCLA, his famed Pyramid of Success, and how he helped Abdul-Jabbar develop his skyhook. But the most crucial part of his book details his close friendship with Wooden, which lasted far beyond the game. Though they held different religions and political beliefs, there was never any doubt about Wooden’s positive impact on his students.

Galatians 4 – Transforming Relationships

Galatians 4:6-7 is a reminder that there is an intimate relationship between those who have been adopted as children of God. We have been called into an intimate relationship with the almighty God. Just as a player, because of his close relationship with his coach, will often call him “Coach” the rest of his life, so we are free to call God “Papa” or “Daddy.” This heart-to-heart relationship with God demands time to season and deepen.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete walk closely with God. They read His love letter, the Bible, regularly; they listen to His Word so they might deepen their relationship with Him. They hunger to spend time with Him in prayer each day.

Bible Memory Verse – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a  (LSB)

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute: They Call Him Coach

Our featured book this week is 2 Timothy – The Faith-Contending Athlete. (An 11 Week Bible Study for Athletes Who Want to Contend Faithfully for Jesus Christ and the Gospel), written by Shannon Caughey.

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