New Devotional Available Now
The Gospel According to Ted Lasso by
Rev. Matthew Titus
Coach Ted Lasso, from the award-winning television show Ted Lasso, lives a life of being ‘curious, not judgmental.’ This perspective allows him to see the goodness and worthiness in each person he interacts with. Rev. Matthew Titus invites you to be 'curious, not judgmental' as he explores the ways the Gospel of Jesus Christ weaves into and through not only this show, but also throughout our lives.
The Gospel According to Ted Lasso includes over 30 short devotionals that help the reader see and know not only where God’s work is present in this show, but where God’s love is active in their life. This devotional book is perfect for individuals or in use with groups.
Sample from
The Gospel According to Ted Lasso
Ted Lasso – You continue to impress, Nate.
Nathan Shelley – You remembered my name.
As the kitman, the one who tends to all the equipment of AFC Richmond, Nathan Shelley is on a low rung when it comes to the hierarchy of the football club. He doesn’t get to make decisions like the owner and manager, he doesn’t get to be cheered and glamorized like the players, he doesn’t even get fawned over like the partners and spouses of the players; no, he sits right at the bottom. His responsibilities rest in making sure the uniforms are clean, the boots are in top shape, and the pitch is well cared for. Because of his low stature in the organization, he’s accustomed to not being known.
Yet, he is the very first person working for AFC Richmond that Ted and Coach Beard meet. He’s not used to being talked to by upper management, nor being treated so kindly and on an equal level. He is so accustomed to his place within the club that he doesn’t even know how to respond when Ted asks his name.
Nate is surprised and begins to be the first to ‘fall into’ the Lasso Way because through Ted he experiences what everyone desires – to be known.
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It is good to be known. One of the most important stories of our faith comes in John’s gospel as Mary Magdalene is tending the tomb of her friend and savior. Of course, this is after the resurrection and the tomb is empty. In her grief and pain from the last three days, she doesn’t recognize that Jesus is standing before her and mistakes him for a simple gardener. Jesus knows her, calling her by name. When he says, “Mary!” she instantly knows that this is the one who knows her with her fear, grief, and loneliness vanishing in an instant.
All of creation desires to be known. When you walk into your classroom on the first day of school, start a new job, or join a new team, the first thing you want is for someone to know who you are. All of us want that; there isn’t a person on the planet who doesn’t hope that someone knows who they are.
We get to follow a God who knows us. From being known in our mother’s womb to knowing every hair on our head, our God knows us. Our God has claimed us in love and grace. There is nothing we have done to receive that love, and there is nothing we can do to lose that love. We already have it.
Nate didn’t do anything to be remembered by Ted, he is remembered because Nate is important enough and good enough to be remembered. Just as we are important enough and good enough already to be known by our God and our Lord.
Season 2 devotional
Season 2 of Ted Lasso was longer, deeper, and just as good as Season 1. Stay tuned for more information on the devotional for Season 2 which is currently being worked on!
SC Synod Assembly
While I won’t have an official table at the SC Synod Assembly in Charleston, I WILL have copies of my book to sell and sign! See y’all in the Holy City! #BeCuriousNotJudmental
“I think it’s pretty decent.”
— Rev. Jason Schafer, pastor in South Carolina
“A wonderful resource!”
— Rev. Michele Fischer, pastor in South Carolina
“The combination of television, Scripture, and experience offers an excellent way to engage people in reflection and conversation about their faith.”
— Rev. Dr. Mary Shore, Rector and Dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
About Pastor Matt
Pastor Matt (or PM to his congregation) is an ordained Lutheran minister of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has served at his current congregation - The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer - in Newberry, SC for seven years.
PM has a passion for seeing God at work in the world throughout the places no one would expect. He enjoys finding the overlaps of God’s work through the mediums of film, TV, and video games.
