When we watch sporting events on TV, we not only see the action on the field but also listen to the broadcasters and sideline reporters throughout the game.

Sideline reporters are tasked to interview coaches before games, at halftime, and after the game. They’re hoping to get some revealing comments that will provide value to the audience.

One of the most common questions the reporter asks is, “What was your message to the team?”

Since we aren’t in the locker room or on the sidelines, we’re curious to know what a coach is telling his team throughout the game.

Usually, the coach reveals something he told the whole team regarding the general game plan and what he wants the overall focus for the entire team to be.

Sometimes a reporter will take it a step further and ask a coach to share what he told a particular player on the sideline. They’ll ask a question along the lines of, “Coach, when you pulled the QB to the side after the interception, what was your message to him?”

Usually, the coach explains how he encouraged him, challenged him, told him what he needs to change or what he wants him to specifically do.

These dialogues demonstrate that the head coach is the one speaking to his team with a message for everyone, and then has personalized conversations with specific instructions for individual players.

Last week, I talked about the similarities between the Holy Spirit and a head coach. Today, I want to unpack how a head coach delivers his messages and how it compares to God speaking to us.

God has provided all of us with His Word. In the Bible, we find His general game plan for the “team” and what He wants the overall focus for the entire “team” to be.

God’s message of love, hope, grace, obedience, repentance, and salvation through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus is for all people.

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) explains, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.”

As we truly follow Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit, God pulls us aside to personally encourage us and challenge us, while telling us what we individually need to change or what He wants us to specifically do.

When we have personal conversations with God, He speaks to each of us with a particular message He wants us to know. He’ll give us certain tasks and instructions while telling us His unique purpose for us. He will also comfort us, guide us, and lead us.

Notice how personal Psalm 23:1-3 (AMP) is: “The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Also, Psalm 57:2 (AMP) says, “I will cry to God Most High, Who accomplishes all things on my behalf [for He completes my purpose in His plan].”

Just like a head coach doesn’t tell an individual player something that goes against the overall team’s game plan and goals, God isn’t going to tell us something contradictory to His Word. When we seek Him, He will continually remind us of our role in His overall design.

As it says in Romans 12:4-5 (NTL), “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”

Today, let’s continue to listen for God’s message to all of us as His children and embrace the personal messages the God of the universe has for each of us.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Yourself to the world and allowing us to know You personally. Help me to understand Your Word better and hear Your messages more clearly. Thank you for the individual purposes and personal instructions You have for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. In what ways has God clearly communicated personal instructions for you?

2. How would you describe your personal fellowship with God?