When speaking about his football team, former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said, “The more you know about them, the better you can serve them. I’ve always believed coaching is a service business.” Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy put it this way, “The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members better.” Despite the apparent desire to lead a successful football program, both coaches saw their position as a calling to serve the people they were entrusted with.

Mark 1 – Leading with the Kingdom in Mind

I love Chuck Swindoll’s insight on the Book of Mark, “Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. Consequently, faithful discipleship, even in times of hardship, is the theme that dominates Mark’s Gospel and may have been the reason he felt compelled to write.” Both Caldwell and Dungy were more than willing to see their leadership roles as serving others, even though it cost them time and effort.

Each of the Gospel writers chose to start their Gospel uniquely. Luke began with the birth of Jesus and the story of John the Baptist. As we start the Book of Mark, we see Mark’s focus on the actions of Jesus and how people responded to Him. Mark gives us a biographical story of Jesus Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world to strengthen the early church in the face of persecution and teach them how to be a disciple.

There are some valuable lessons for all coaches and athletes in the first chapter. To begin with, if the Son of God came as a servant, then being a servant is the highest of all callings. We are most like Jesus when we are serving others. Secondly, a servant-leader must be compassionate toward those they lead.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete tell those they lead their value is not dependent on their performance. God doesn’t measure their worth by wins and losses, and neither does the kingdom-minded leader.

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 –

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you: and behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 LSB

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