Game Plan

During my coaching years I usually watched between 80-90 hours of film weekly to prepare the game plan for the coming week.  In my earlier years of coaching, I would often use the same plan again and again against different opponents, which usually proved ineffective. I learned that I couldn’t just show up with the same plan, but that I had to account for the different nuances of each team and include variations in the game plan.

I find this interesting as it pertains to the ministry of the disciple Paul, who spent much time preparing to share the gospel using his gifts of eloquence and persuasion.  In Acts Chapter 19, Demetrius the silversmith is experiencing a loss in the demand of his statues of the goddess Artemis. This is due to the growing number of Christians who are converted through Paul’s message that, with Jesus, there is no need to worship other gods.  With his source of income at stake, Demitrius mobilizes the people to start rioting. A mob mentality ensues to the point where most of them don’t even know what they are rioting about (see Acts 19:32).  

Paul’s solution to their confusion is to address the assembly in the public forum to persuade them to believe the gospel.  In this case, Paul’s usual M.O. of persuasion proves ineffective. The disciples, fearing that Paul will be killed, convince him not to address the people and leave town.  They knew that although the church in Ephesus was becoming strong, there were still those who were either not ready or unwilling to hear the gospel. 

Just as a coach needs to evaluate each opponent before establishing a game plan, as Christians, we cannot share the gospel in a cookie cutter fashion.  Instead, we have to take the time to analyze our audience and hear from the Holy Spirit.  We must be solid and consistent on what we believe the Bible says about the nature of our heavenly Father, while at the same time be willing to adapt the message to each unique setting and person. If we think we can run the same play over and over again to different audiences, and are not open to the Holy Spirit’s direction on which “game plan” to use, then we will miss the opportunity to impact others for Christ. 

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