The amount of time we spend on a given task or event can reveal where our heart and allegiance lies. When it comes to athletics, I know of programs where student athletes spend upwards of 30 hours a week preparing for and participating in athletic events. Why would they do that? Because they want their teams to be at their best so that they can win the game on Friday night. It is during that same week that the average young person spends very little time, made up of minutes and not hours, preparing to live a victorious life for Christ. The same is true for many of us who give countless hours to improving in our areas of work, while overlooking much needed time in God’s word and with God’s people. The tendency is to give much of our time on things that are temporal, while neglecting time and attention to those things that are eternal.
How, in the world of sports that we currently live in, do we make sure we are intentional in discipling young people for Christ through the platform of athletics? If it is going to consume our time, how do we use it for God’s good and glory?
First of all, we need to make sure that our own foundation is set securely in Christ. We need to ask ourselves these questions:
- Are we growing disciples of Christ who can teach our players all that God has commanded us? After all, we can only give that which we possess.
- Do we have a biblical worldview based on the fear and knowledge of God and obedience to His commandments?
- Are we filled with the Spirit of God and does He guide us in every area of life?
- Do we echo Paul’s sentiments of, “I will most gladly spend and be expended for souls?”
Second, do we honor the role of parents, encouraging them in Christ and not stealing time away from their God-given responsibility?
Third, do we help influence the schools overall philosophy of athletics, assuring that the school maintains the appropriate balance of home, church, and school?
How can schools and coaches better disciple athletes through our athletic programs?
- Continue building each other up in Christ through team devotions, times of prayer, and shared testimonies
- Communicate and model the importance of the local church and the home
- Communicate and model appropriate attitudes and usage of time, talents, and resources
- Allow student athletes the opportunity to lead out in devotions and with team responsibilities
- Maximize teaching opportunities both as a team and individually
- Make the most of every practice and game situation to teach and reinforce biblical principles
- Be intentional in building unity amongst the team and with opponents
Here is what we must understand. The enemy will be very intentional in trying to capture the attention of young people through athletics, reinforcing his thought process that this life is all about us and not Christ. Christian schools must, therefore, be exceedingly more intentional in making sure they use every aspect of the school to reinforce what it looks like to be a passionate follower of Jesus Christ.
Like Paul said to the church in Ephesus, “Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Recent Comments