Curriculum for Coaches Discipleship Training
INTRODUCTION: Every successful coach knows that winning teams are built on a solid foundation of “basics” in their sport. In wrestling every good wrestler knows that success starts with sound basics. Wrestling on the feet requires a solid stance, with head up; butt down; (changing levels by bending the knees, not bending at the hips); and elbows in (maintaining inside control with the hands). These basic principles are critical to victory at every level of the sport, from beginners to the Olympics.
The same is true in our Christian life. If you are called as a child of God, you are called to be “a warrior for Christ”. Just as athletes must be well-trained and well-conditioned for battle, so must the Christian be well-trained in their faith. For every warrior will face battle, and every true Christian is a warrior for Christ. Psalms 144 says, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” Eph. 6: 10 – 12 says, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the … spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (spiritual) realms.” Listen, we are in spiritual battle, whether we like it or not! What kind of warrior do you want to be? A well-trained and well-conditioned gladiator, who is prepared for battle and ready to give your all in every situation God calls you? Or do you want to be a weak soldier who crumbles under the pressures of our evil world? And how will you lead the ones entrusted to your care by the Lord?
It is an old saying, “There are two kinds of pain in this world; the pain of preparation, or the pain of regret.” This two year study is a training time for those coaches who want to be well-trained and well-conditioned for the spiritual battle; for those who want to be well-prepared to lead those under their influence into victory. It will require discipline, faithfulness, and commitment. However, the end result is that you (as a coach) will be more effectively equipped to engage your loved one, your athletes, and all in your sphere of influence with the Truth of God’s Word, in order that they will themselves will be able to engage, equip, and empower others to take the message of God’s Word to their world.
As every athlete must be trained in the basics of their sport, every follower of Christ must know, understand, and practice certain foundational truths (Biblical principles) to live a victorious and effective Christian life. Coach, the following lessons, are designed to help you build a solid Biblical foundation in your life, so that you may become a strong and effective warrior for Christ, and a leader for Him in every sphere of influence, from your home, to your team, to your community. This not another “leadership training program”, nor is it a manual on “how to build a winning program”. In short, this is a “discipleship training program” is to ground you in your Biblical faith. And the program is designed for personal accountability in the busy life of a coach. This study will be a tool to help you grow in your relationship with Christ and become increasingly more victorious in loving your Lord, leading your family, coaching your team, and influencing your community for Jesus Christ.