Video Transcript: Coaching in the Footsteps of Jesus

👣 Coaching in the Footsteps of Jesus

Today we’re going to talk about coaching in the footsteps of Jesus—because Jesus is the Master Coach.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• 🧠 How Jesus modeled coaching

• 🎯 Key coaching qualities He demonstrated

• 💡 How to apply Jesus-style coaching

• ❤️ How to coach with humility and love

Let’s dive in.

🙋 Why Look to Jesus?

Jesus wasn’t just a preacher—He was a soul-walker.

“Come, follow me.”

He asked, He listened, and He invited transformation.

Let’s focus on that last one.

🔄 Inviting Transformation

Do people really invite transformation?

Well… yes and no.
In most churches or ministries, the model is: we preach, we teach, we hope transformation happens. It’s like spraying knowledge at people with a spiritual shotgun and hoping some of it sticks.

But transformation isn’t about just information.

Our goal isn’t just to teach about the Bible or who Isaiah was—
Our goal is to see hearts transformed to become all God intends for them to be.

God is building a Kingdom.
He wants us to be part of it.
And that means using our gifts for His purposes.
We’re not there yet—but transformation is the journey forward.

🧠 A Note on Philosophy

In today’s world, we see three big streams of thinking:

• Christian philosophy

• Modern philosophy

• Postmodern philosophy

Christians often push back hard against postmodernism—and rightly so. It says things like:

“There is no God.”
“There is no design.”
“Truth is just what you construct.”

But there’s one interesting parallel worth noticing.

Postmodernism values transformation.
Not God-led transformation, but transformation nonetheless. It invites people to change—though it says the change comes from deep within. It denies the Designer but recognizes the ache for change.

And people are frustrated. They can’t find real transformation from within. But they want it deeply.

🕊️ Jesus, the Coaching Pastor

Jesus’ coaching presence was not about power.
Except for a few moments—like turning over the tables in the temple—He modeled:

• Presence over performance

• Relationship over rules

• Approachability over intimidation

He met people where they were:

• The woman at the well (John 4)

• The blind, the poor, the outcast

• The woman caught in adultery

• Zacchaeus the tax collector

• Even religious leaders

Jesus didn’t have a “one size fits all” approach.
He asked questions that fit the person.

That’s the power of coaching. 🎯

❓Jesus Asked Before He Answered

Jesus asked powerful questions, like:

“Who do you say that I am?”

Why would He ask that?

Because He wasn’t just testing knowledge—He was inviting ownership.

“Who do you say I am?”
“Will you claim Me?”

These questions weren’t just theological—they were transformational.

Why Did Jesus Ask Instead of Just Tell?

Because He wanted people to discover the truth — to own it. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” He invited His followers to move from second-hand ideas to personal conviction. Maybe when Peter answered, it was the first time he actually put it together out loud.

🧭 Discovery Happens When We’re Asked

People often don’t know what they really think until someone asks. A good question slows us down: “Okay…what do I actually believe? What do I want?” Jesus’ question, “Do you want to be made well?” does that. It surfaces desire, resistance, ambivalence — the real stuff.

💬 “Do You Want to Be Made Well?” in Real Ministry

We’ve seen this play out in countless pastoral situations. A couple in crisis comes in: infidelity, family upheaval, urgent emotions. We meet. We talk honestly about sin, hurt, and next steps. We offer a small, doable assignment: read a verse together, pray once this week, go on a date night.

Next week:
“How’d the date night go?”
“…We didn’t.”
“Did you read the Bible?”
“Couldn’t find it.”

We’ll even hand them a Bible — but here’s the deeper issue: Do they actually want healing?

⚠️ Clarifying Desire Before Investing Energy

Jesus’ question teaches us a key coaching move: Don’t work harder than the people you’re helping. Early on ask:

• “Do you want to be made well?”

• “What do you want from me?”

• “Are you asking for help — or just for approval?”

Sometimes people just want to check a box: “We saw the pastor, now we can move on.” If that’s the goal, say so. But if they want to work, then we’ll walk with them.

🎯 Coaching Boundary: Ownership Matters

You can lovingly say:
“If you just needed a meeting to say you met with me, one is enough. But if you want change, let’s do the work. What would you like to do between now and next time?”

That question hands ownership back to them — where it must be for transformation to stick.

🕵️ Getting to the Truth

People are often afraid to name what they really want: reconciliation, release, permission, help, or sometimes escape. A coach creates safe space to surface the truth — not by lecturing, but by listening and asking.

💡 Coaching Takeaway

Great coaches ask more than they advise.
Questions create clarity. Clarity invites commitment. Commitment opens the door for God to transform.

Jesus Discerned the Heart

Jesus didn’t just address behavior—He saw beyond it to belief.
Take Nicodemus, for example. He was a religious leader, coming to Jesus under cover of night—possibly out of curiosity, possibly with an agenda. Regardless, Jesus engaged him in a conversation that uncovered what was really going on inside.

🌬️ Born Again: A Conversation of Discovery

Their conversation led to one of the most famous teachings in the Bible—being born again, a spiritual birth, not just a physical one. Jesus used the imagery of wind to help Nicodemus begin to grasp the mystery of the Spirit. He didn’t pressure; He gave space for Nicodemus to find that windy place.

🤔 Space to Speak, Space to Grow

Jesus let Nicodemus talk. And that’s key—Nicodemus had room to try out his thoughts, speak his heart, and hear his own questions aloud. That’s where real progress happens. It’s not just that Jesus knew Nicodemus—it’s that He gave Nicodemus a chance to know himself.

💔 The Rocky Road of Peter

Peter had a rough journey too. He denied Jesus. But Jesus didn’t shame him—He kept the relationship going. “Do you love Me?” was not a rebuke but a restorative question. Jesus led Peter back to himself through gentle, persistent conversation.

Not everyone responds this way. Judas didn’t. And that shows that coaching and even Jesus’ presence doesn’t override human will. Some hearts simply aren’t open.

🗣️ Jesus Used Directive Truth… When the Heart Was Ready

While Jesus often asked questions, He also gave clear direction—when the heart was ready.
With the woman caught in adultery, He asked, “Where are your accusers?” and then said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
He first led her into a space of grace—then called her into holiness.

This is what we might call semi-directive coaching today.

✝️ “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me”

Jesus modeled sacrifice, then invited others into it. He didn’t ask His followers to do what He had not done Himself. He restored identity before assigning calling.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Jesus Restored Identity and Dignity

In a world desperate for identity, Jesus said, “I call you by name.”
This reminds us of Mr. DeVos, our first real-life ministry coach. He had a way of honoring everyone—by name. From janitors to executives, he treated each person with equal dignity.

Jesus does the same. As coaches, we’re called to reflect that too: “You matter to me—before anything else.”

Being Seen Changes Everything

Like Hagar in the Old Testament, the game-changing moment wasn’t a lecture—it was being noticed.
Presence itself is powerful. When someone sees you—really sees you—that can change the course of your life.