Coaching in Light of The Fall

“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:34-36 ESV

Enslaved to Sin

An easy way to summarize Jesus' first sentence is this: sinners sin. They can't help it. It's who they are. They are enslaved to sin. The fall has set us in bondage. It's not just that we occasionally make mistakes, but it's who we are apart from Christ. As a coach, you should expect to find your players sinning. They may sin with their speech, attempt to cheat, show lack of respect, poor attitudes, outside lifestyle, or any of the many different ways that the flesh is exposed. However, we should expect that this will happen. It is a fallen world. Don't be surprised when sin is discovered.

Even when sin is seen, coaches should treat them with:

1. Humility: Coaches should be humble and not look down on others because of a player's fallen nature. When you see sin in others, it should lead you to examine your own heart, because "pride goes before destruction" (Prov 16:18).
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3. Respect: All players deserve dignity and respect because they are made in the image of God. As image bearers, they should be treated with love and compassion.
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5. Discipline: When players fall short in their sport or try to sin in their sport, discipline is the appropriate response. God uses discipline for his children because he loves them (Heb 12:7). Therefore, coaches should discipline their players and other coaches under them to strive for excellence, which displays the glory of God in whatever you do.
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7. The Fruit of the Spirit: Discipline is necessary, but should be done with an attitude and heart posture that is filled with the Holy Spirit. It should always be done with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). These should be the describing characteristics of your life as a born-again believer.

Freedom in Christ

Jesus' message in John 8 is that there is freedom found in Christ. Those who were once in bondage to sin can be set free. If you are in bondage and feel trapped or enslaved to your sin, repent and believe today. There is freedom found in the Lord Jesus.

There are only two kinds of players/coaches, and they are both enslaved. The distinction is who they are enslaved to. The two options are sin or Jesus. Which one are you? To be enslaved to Jesus is ultimately to find freedom and live as you were created to live and function under the reign and rule of God.

Coaching in light of the fall must always lead you to remember that those under your leadership are in one of those two categories. The fall has affected the players and coaches you are over. How should you coach as one who is free?

Here are a few principles for coaching in light of the fall:

1. 👉Exhibit the example: You should live as an example for others to follow. They will look up to you. Many of your players will begin to imitate you, whether you want them to or not. So, you need to try to serve as Jesus did and set the proper model to follow.
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3. 👉Maintain mercy: Your players and coaches under you will not always do everything right. Every human is affected by the fall. Even those who have been redeemed still battle against sin. Therefore, remember that every person you are in a position to oversee will sin (even those who are faithful believers). Your response should be to offer forgiveness even when they don't deserve it because Jesus forgave you even when you didn't deserve it. Grace has been given to you. Share it with them. Mercy is to show compassion when you have the ability and right to punish them. Be merciful as you have received mercy.
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5. 👉Give them the Gospel: As a Christian, you have a ministry. All the saints are to be equipped to serve in ministry. How are you using your coaching to serve God? You have a unique opportunity. You spend hours around other players and coaches in community. Don't miss your opportunity to tell them about the hope that is within you. Christ has won. He has delivered those who trust in him from their sins. Tell them that Jesus offers freedom from their brokenness if they will repent and believe.  In its simplest form, Jesus teaches us in John 8:34–36 how to coach in light of the fall.

• Step 1: Recognize that we are born enslaved to sin, and that sin will continue to battle against us.
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• Step 2: Offer them the freedom that is found in Christ in both word and deed.