Guest post by Courtney Schnee
In his Bible study entitled “Kings and Coaches”, Al Schierbaum gives leadership devotions for coaches by looking closely at the first three Kings of Israel. As we followed David to the end of his reign as King over Israel, we see in 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, that he was not chosen by God to build a temple, but his son Solomon was.
29:1 And David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the Lord God.
Schierbaum brings out four key principles David used with Solomon to help him accomplish this “God-sized” task of building a temple. We can use David’s model in our sports ministries as we lead coaches and volunteers.
The four principles are to:
- Challenge them with “God-sized” tasks
- Make provisions for them to be successful
- Keep them focused on their relationship with God (obedience, wholeheartedness, willing, disciplined, giving)
- Pray for them
Thinking back on my leadership over coaches, I know that I did not expect as much as I should have from them. My hopes and prayers for the spiritual success of each season were great, but for some reason it did not always pour over to my coaches. Coaching is where the ministry happens. We must challenge and expect “God-sized” things from them. We must Pray. Set their Goals high. Pray. Equip. Pray. Follow-Up. And pray some more. When God is in the coaches, God-sized things will happen.
