Bible reading for 40.Day 2025 | 1 Peter 5:2-3

Olympic athletes are willing to spend their entire lives struggling through long training sessions because their goal is to win an Olympic gold medal.

The main reason these athletes can persevere in their struggles is not because of the high-end equipment in the training venues, nor is it because of the top-notch training programmes. Those help, but they are not the key.

Very often, these athletes persevere because they have a coach who is willing to struggle with them.

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt once said in an interview that whenever he began to doubt himself, his coach would always encourage him and say to him, “Don’t worry; I know what I can do to make you run faster, and I also know what you can do to make you run faster.”

With the help of his coach, people all over the world witnessed Bolt constantly setting new world records at the Olympic Games.

Shepherding the flock

1 Peter 5:2-3 reminds us leaders to shepherd our sheep willingly according to God’s will, which means that we should take responsibility to shepherd our sheep as if they were part of ourselves. We should care for and guide their lives wholeheartedly, without any reluctance or personal gain.

The verse also goes on to say that we should not lord over them but be examples to them. This means that we should not rule over them like a master, nor force them to become like us. What we should do is let them observe us and learn good examples from our lives under our care and guidance.

If you regard the next generation as your flock, you must be willing to shepherd them and become a coach who is willing to journey with them – even in their struggles.

How to coach

The first thing to do is to care for and guide their lives. If you find that they are under great pressure in life or their studies, take time to listen more to their recent situations. If you find that they have encountered difficulties in their relationship or faith, take time to understand their difficulties. If you hear that they have completed their assignments or shared the Gospel with their friends, encourage their efforts. 

When they understand that your heart is to journey with them, instead of just using them, then you would have successfully become their coach. They will be willing to listen to your advice. But please remember not to lord over them – don’t throw your expectations on them and walk away! You need to be their role model.

After winning the hearts of the next generation, you will then need to set an example. One of which is to ensure that they have the discipline to struggle for the right purpose. The training programme designed by Bolt’s coach was meant to make him a faster sprinter because the goal was to win the gold medal.

In the same way, if you want the next generation to become disciples who love Jesus, then after you win their hearts, you need to ensure that they have the discipline to fight to pursue Jesus.

Winning our youths

I am currently journeying with a group of youths whom I have been with for six years in the Chinese church. I have seen them struggle in their major exams, provided advice to them when they did not know which school to choose, and celebrated with them when they crossed a milestone in life. We even created a team in a mobile game, and we play whenever everyone is free.

Through this journey, our relationship grew deeper and stronger. And because of this, I can now speak into their lives.

As we continued to play and have fun, I slowly directed them towards Jesus. I invited them out for meals and centred our conversations around Jesus. There was a youth who shared with me that when growing up, he always felt distant from Jesus. But now, he can experience Jesus in worship, and he wants to serve Him wholeheartedly.

It is possible to win our youths. We need to pour out our lives to love and influence them.

Are you willing to journey with the next generation? Will you be their friend, mentor and coach?

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love and mercy. May You teach us how to love our next generation with the right kind of love and help us become coaches who are willing to accompany them in their struggles in life. Grant us foresight and patience as we serve them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Reflect: 

1. Who is the youth God is putting on your heart to reach out to?

2. What needs of the young people in your life can you meet today?

3. How can you be a friend, mentor and coach to the young people in your life?

Pray: 

1. For youth leaders, that they will catch God’s heart for the youth that they have been entrusted with.

2. That youth leaders will exercise the fruit of the Holy Spirit, particularly patience and kindness, as they lead God’s sheep.

3. For youths and their leaders to build strong relationships, that through mentorship and friendship these youths may grow deep in their understanding and love for the Lord.

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