During my freshman year at Nebraska, I noticed a difference in the lives of several older teammates during training camp. They interacted with others, practiced, and competed differently. One of them invited me to attend the players’ Bible study. George Andrews was part of the study and played defensive end alongside me. Watching him compete for King Jesus rather than for fame made me question my motives for playing football. He played with such intensity that he became an All-American for the Huskers and later went on to have a successful career with the Los Angeles Rams. 

Tom Sorley, who played quarterback, was another team leader who attended the same Bible study. I later learned that he led Andrews to the Lord during their freshman year, when they were roommates. Each of my teammates lived in a way that prompted other teammates to ask why. George and Tom were so highly respected that they became co-captains of the 1978 Nebraska football team. 

Colossians 4 – Intentional Witness

Paul wraps up Colossians with a final reminder for believers to live in a way that points others to Jesus. Like George and Tom, they took seriously the responsibility to share the gospel with others. Just as Paul taught the Colossian believers, their faith was encouraging and hopeful: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5). 

I was the outsider Paul wrote about (4:5). There are athletes like them in every locker room. We have a responsibility to witness to the lost around us. “Walk” refers to our conduct in daily life. There must be nothing in our lives that would risk our testimony.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete conduct themselves in ways that draw others to Christ. They walk in God’s wisdom so their teammates will want what they have.

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)

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