John O’Sullivan’s blog on 8 Coaching Mistakes I Wish I Never Made should be read by every coach. I especially like number 7:

“I Used Fear as a Motivator (Instead of Love): While I didn’t realize it at the time, I tried to lead and motivate through fear and intimidation. “Do this or lose your starting spot! Do this or you are off the team! We better win or you will regret it tomorrow in practice!” Sure, this can work in the short term, but it is not a long-term plan. The chances of sustainable growth, participation, and enjoyment are slim to none. Instead, I should have been more like today’s most successful coaches, motivated through love and connection.

Nothing is more powerful than a bond of love and respect among teammates, coaches, and parents working together. No team will fight harder than that team. No athlete will play harder for a coach than one who feels cared for and loved.”

Acts 18 – Humbly Receive Correction

Responding to correction with humility and learning from our mistakes as leaders is never easy but always necessary. As we move into Acts 18, we meet a man named Apollos. While most of Acts 18 is about Paul’s missionary travels, there is an incident that shows Apollos preaching about Jesus in Ephesus.

While Apollos’ preaching was not wrongly motivated, his understanding of Jesus was incomplete. This likely meant Apollos preached repentance and faith in the Messiah. He might have believed Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah—but he did not know the full extent of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Aquila and Priscilla, friends of Paul, spent some time with Apollos and filled in the gaps in his understanding of Jesus Christ (Acts 18:26).

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete humbly respond to correction when they make a mistake or need correction. They always make sure their worldview in coaching aligns with Scripture.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – But I do not make my life of any account nor dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 LSB

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Fear Not