The Lord used a player and a coach in the 1980s to bring another player, Mark Richt, to saving faith in Jesus Christ. After playing football for the Miami Hurricanes, Richt served as an assistant coach under legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State.

John Peasley was the free safety who did everything he could to convince Richt to become a Christian. “I knew in my spirit that’s what I wanted and what I needed, but I backed off on it then. I didn’t really understand God’s grace. I didn’t really understand that Christ really came to save those of us who are sick,” said Richt.

A few years later, Richt watched Coach Bowden witness his faith to the entire team. “Coach Bowden talked about his own faith, where he had an assurance of salvation, eternal life with Christ in heaven,” Richt said. As he kept on talking to the team, Bowden pointed to a chair where Pablo Lopez, the player who had been shot and killed, used to sit. The head coach then said to a player near the open chair, “If that was you last night, do you know where you’d spend eternity?” That question was what God used to pierce Richt’s heart. “When he said that, I was like, ‘I don’t know,’” Richt said. “I wanted that peace. So, the next day, I went into his office, and he led me to the Lord right there.”

Acts 8 – Effective Witnessing

In Acts 8, we see a few helpful principles for anyone who wants to be effective in their witnessing. First, Philip saw an opportunity to witness to the eunuch and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (8:30). Coach Bowden saw to help his team understand the gravity of death and how they could respond to the gospel. Second, Philip was exact when witnessing. He “preached Jesus to him” (8:35). Coach Bowden was precise when speaking to his team: Jesus Christ and how they could respond to Him.

 The Kingdom Coach and Athlete use tact when sharing the gospel with others but always bring the conversation back to the central issue. They know they must earn the right to be heard by their team by getting to know them personally, listening to them, and showing interest in their lives.

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 – So Ananias departed and entered the house. And he laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—that is Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming—so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 (LSB)

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