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When the comedy series Ted Lasso first aired, audiences were charmed by its upbeat humor, heartwarming moments, and messages of kindness. It was an unlikely hit, telling the story of an American football coach who moves to England to manage a soccer team — a game he knows nothing about. But fans soon realized there was something deeper going on in the show.
Surprisingly, Ted Lasso resonates with many of the themes found in the New Testament gospels, bringing forward messages that echo Jesus’ teachings in ways that feel fresh and relevant to today’s world. Here, we’ll look at some of the central themes both share, such as kindness, forgiveness, humility, and love for others.
From the outset, Ted Lasso’s approach to life is simple but powerful: he chooses kindness. Rather than tearing people down or seeking revenge, Ted makes a point to see the best in others, sometimes even to his own detriment. This mirrors Jesus’ message in the Gospels, where kindness and compassion are celebrated as core values. In the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, Jesus calls on people to love their enemies and bless those who curse them (Matthew 5:44). Similarly, Ted’s belief in being "curious, not judgmental" demonstrates a willingness to understand rather than condemn, leading others toward personal growth.
Throughout the New Testament, forgiveness is a cornerstone of Jesus' teachings. His message is clear: to forgive is to free oneself from resentment and allow healing to begin. This lesson is especially embodied in Ted Lasso’s characters, many of whom must learn to forgive both themselves and others. Ted forgives Rebecca, his boss, even after she admits to hiring him with the intention of making the team fail. Instead of holding onto bitterness, Ted forgives her, which ultimately transforms their relationship and leads to one of the show’s deepest friendships. In this way, the show echoes Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), a story that celebrates the power of grace and forgiveness over anger and rejection.
Ted’s leadership style isn’t about control or authority; rather, he leads by example with humility. Much like the way Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to demonstrate that true leadership is rooted in service, Ted shows that a leader’s role is to support and uplift others (John 13:1-17). Whether he’s cleaning up after his team or offering advice with a sense of humor and modesty, Ted reflects a "servant leader" mindset, where the needs of others come before personal ambition. This humility fosters trust and respect, ultimately inspiring those around him to embrace the same attitude.
In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly crosses social and cultural barriers to embrace those who feel unloved or unworthy. He spends time with tax collectors, speaks to women and Samaritans, and heals the sick — all as acts of radical acceptance. Likewise, Ted has a way of making each character feel valued, seen, and accepted, regardless of their past or their insecurities. His belief in people isn’t conditional, and it’s this deep commitment to everyone’s potential that drives so much of the team’s success. In his interactions with characters like Jamie Tartt, Ted shows that love is not only a feeling but an action — one that inspires growth and connection.
While Ted Lasso isn’t explicitly religious, it has elements that resonate with the New Testament’s messages about hope, resilience, and faith. Ted often reminds his team to “believe” — a word that, in this context, means more than just optimism. His message is about believing in oneself, in others, and in the value of perseverance. This message aligns with the New Testament's encouragement to have faith, even when life feels challenging. As James writes, "Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (James 1:2-3). Ted’s journey, marked by personal hardships, mistakes, and triumphs, reminds us that maintaining faith — in whatever form — can be a powerful anchor. By exploring kindness, forgiveness, humility, love, and faith, Ted Lasso delivers messages that resonate with New Testament teachings. Though the show is secular, its themes provide a lens for thinking about what it means to live compassionately and faithfully, even in the face of life’s inevitable setbacks. Ted Lasso and the New Testament remind us that we are all capable of creating a world rooted in kindness, and that sometimes, all we need to begin is a little bit of belief.
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