by Shannon Caughey

As a coach, you recognize that team cohesion is a crucial element of maximizing success. If your “team” is little more than a collection of individuals who all happen to be on the court or field at the same time, the chances of the team performing at its peak diminishes. But when individual athletes come together as a cohesive unit, they can experience a synergy that enables them to make the most of their potential as a team.

The Bible also talks about the importance of “team cohesion” for followers of Christ—those who are part of God’s team. In fact, developing this team cohesion is a crucial element of growing in godliness. Godliness is not merely an individual pursuit. As we continue to explore 2 Peter 1:3-7 in this series on being a godly coach, we see that devotion to God which results in a life pleasing to him is a team sport. Let’s pick up the passage again in the second half of v.5 and follow what Peter says through the beginning of v. 7: “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection…” The qualities listed from “moral excellence” through “godliness” have been covered previously, so we turn now to “brotherly affection.”

The original Greek word that is translated “brotherly affection” refers to the love between family members. Peter, in keeping with the rest of God’s Word, extends the application of this love beyond our natural family to all who are members of God’s family. We are to see fellow believers in Christ as our brothers and sisters, loving them as we would our own flesh and blood. 1 John 4:20 challenges us with why brotherly affection is so important: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”

According to 2 Peter 1:3-7, we partner with God who “has given us everything we need for living a godly life” (v. 3) as we “make every effort” (v. 5a) to grow in the qualities of godliness (vv. 5b-7)—including brotherly affection. What does it look like to make every effort to practice brotherly affection? First, it involves recognizing that we are to love all those God has placed around us. We all have people that we may not be naturally drawn to or find easy to like. Rather than ignoring or minimizing contact, we see them as brothers and sisters, and we move toward them in love.

Second, we love our brothers and sisters with commitment and intentionality. We don’t abandon them when things get tough or when they do something that creates conflict. We hang in there and keep loving them because we view them as part of our family. We are also intentional about loving actively and generously. Rather than doing the bare minimum, we invest time and energy into speaking and acting for the good of our brothers and sisters. 

When we exercise this kind of brotherly affection, we reflect how Jesus—the One whose life, death, and resurrection made it possible for us to be welcomed into God’s family—loves us. In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives us this command: “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” To love each other as Jesus loves us brings about real “team cohesion.”

Coach, when you practice brotherly affection with fellow members of God’s family, it then spills over into how you treat others in your coaching sphere of influence. You demonstrate Christ’s love when you spend unhurried time with a player who offers nothing athletically to the team, who talks too much or is socially awkward. You show that you are a disciple of Jesus when you willingly do a favor for a parent who often complains and criticizes. You love well when you are genuinely concerned about the overall wellbeing of each of your athletes.

Grow in godliness through treating those the Lord has placed around you with brotherly affection. They need you and you need them—so love each other as Christ loves you. Devotion to God which results in a life pleasing to him is a team sport.

For reflection: Give thanks to Christ for how he loves you. Ask the Lord to show you the next steps he desires for you to demonstrate brotherly affection. Express your gratitude to him that he gives you everything you need for living a godly life.