Public Blog

I heard it said once that “Christian schools should win and bring home championships since opponents would probably not want the Jesus of a team they just beat by 40 points.”  Growing up playing sports and still enjoying watching sports now, I am not sure I can get behind that statement.  I am all for winning and I think it is natural to go into each practice and game, giving our best and striving to bring home the “W”.  However, would you agree that a school can have an excellent program without winning a championship and could fall short of excellence even when winning the championship?

Christ-centered excellence in athletics requires so much more than just winning.  After all, when you look at some examples in Scripture, there were plenty of people who were excellent that ended up losing in the eyes of the world:

• The world thought that Jesus lost.  He had no place to lay His head, His friends abandoned Him at times, and He ended up dying on a cross.  We know that He was and is the perfect example of excellence, though not always in the eyes of the world.
• Many others, like Joseph, Daniel, and Paul had moments in their lives when they appeared to lose in the eyes of the world.  Imprisoned and thrown in fire and pits did not come across as excellent.  However, when we look at the entirety of Scripture, their focus and obedience to Christ was what made them excellent.

So, as we look at what makes a schools athletic program excellent, we must make sure that it is obedient to the commands in Scripture on their way to victory:

• Sports are games that should not steal time away from God’s ordained institutions, the home and church.
• Sports should be careful not to appeal to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.  Many times the desires and emotions spent on being #1, can lead us to be prideful. 
• As we offer athletic programs in Christian schools, we must be sure that we don’t forego the following character qualities in our efforts to win:
  • Humility- scoring points and beating teams can easily lead to a spirit of pride
  • Love- running up scores and over the top celebrations can show a lack of love for opponents
  • Responsibility- too much attention and time given to a sport can lead to neglecting other responsibilities
  • Self-Control- it is easy to lose our cool when the call or game does not go our way
  • Kindness- thinking of others and wanting the best for them can be hard to do in the heat of an athletic battle
  • Forgiveness- it is easy to allow a loss or hard foul to keep us from treating others as we should
  • Courage- we must be sure the drive to win does not overshadow the desire to witness
  • Submission- it is easy for coaches, players, and fans to disrespect the authority on the court/field (even when they get the call wrong)

These are just a few of the attributes and truths that must be maintained as we do Christ-honoring athletics in our Christian schools.  As we focus on these, as well as preparing for the next competition, we can achieve excellence in athletics. 

I like to think that I did fairly well, academically, in high school, college, and beyond.  However, there are still days that I echo what Forrest Gump said, “I may not be a smart man.” In today’s world of non-stop access to information, along with advancements in technology and continued scientific discoveries, I realize that I don’t know that much afterall.  And to some degree, I am ok with that.  After all, in the grand scheme of eternity, it is not necessarily how much you know but what you know to be true that matters.  I believe that is the issue when it comes to the discussion about excellence in academics.  

Although, Scripture does not have much to say about schooling, it does speak to the issues of knowing, wisdom, and learning:

• Some people were “always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.”
• Some were babes in Christ “for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God…”
• “Aquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!…with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
• Daniel “showed intelligence in every branch or wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge” but he also understood that God gave him and his friends “knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom.”
• “Knowledge puffs up”
• This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God…”
• The Holy Spirit will “teach you in all things.”
• God’s word can make us “wiser than our enemies”, give us “more insight than all my teachers”, and allow us to understand “more than the aged”.
• In Acts 17, Paul appeared to have knowledge of the culture he engaged in.  
• Paul told the church to be “wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.
• “Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced or, knowing from whom you have learned them…knowing the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 
• God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, “through the true knowledge of Him”. 

That is quite the array of information when it comes to the topic of knowing and learning.  So, what can we summarize from this when it comes to the excellence in academics that we desire for students in Christian schools?

First, knowledge apart from God’s word and purpose is vanity. We must make sure we are not just building college prep schools, but are building life and eternity prep schools that are giving each student the biblical knowledge and tools, teamed with the appropriate skills and talents, to engage the culture in a way that advances His kingdom and brings Him glory.

Second, though knowing facts and truths about how the world works and how we can better contribute to the good of society is something that God desired since creating us to have dominion on the earth, we must remember that God, through His Word and Spirit, gives us all that we need to impact the world for Him. Does what and how we teach, lead students to a deeper knowledge of God and His word?

Third, it is important that the teachers, coaches, and leaders in our Christian schools fear the Lord and know Him first and foremost, as they pass their values, beliefs, and knowledge on to their students.

Finally, there are aspects of knowing that we should continue to be ignorant of, like perversion and certain aspects of evil. It is the consumption of such knowledge that is leading people away from Christ.  

When the academic excellence we seek has its foundation in God’s word, in order to live God’s way, so that we might impact God’s world, I say let’s give our all in that effort, to the glory of God!

Are Christian schools truly excellent? That is a question I have wrestled with now for some time.  Many mission statements and expected student outcomes will proclaim they are about excellence in education, academics,or athletics, but what does that really mean? What does excellence in education look like?

I fear that sometimes school leaders and constituents would have a hard time answering that question.  Does it mean that schools have the best looking and updated facilities? Does it mean that students score higher than other schools on the ACT and SAT assessments? Does it mean that the walls are lined with national championship banners? 

I do not believe there is anything wrong with those accomplishments, however, I believe the heart of the excellence conversation must center on the why, or purpose for doing this thing called Christian education. We must take a closer look at our schools and ask the question, are we determining excellence by a man-centered standard or Christ-centered?

It would be wise to go back and refresh ourselves with the story of the Tower of Babel, found in Genesis 11.  I don’t believe there was anything wrong with building a building back in those days but the issue was, why did they want to build such a tall and impressive structure? Genesis 11: 4 says that their goal was a very man-centered goal, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name…” Therein lies the problem.  The intent of the people was to make a name for themselves, not to glorify God.  Can that still happen today in the world of Christian schooling?  It certainly can still happen today, in our personal life, home life, and in the life of our Christian schools.  

Paul David Tripp had this to say, while writing about the Tower of Babel:

“The will of the Creator was that the people He made in His image would live in humble, obedient, and dependent community with Him and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.  The problem is that sin causes human beings to hunger for independence and self-sufficiency, to quest more for their own glory than the glory of God, and to live according to their own will rather than the plan and purposes of God…we still build towers to our glory and our independent wisdom, righteousness, and strength.”

My fear is that in some Christian schools, we tout our academic and athletic accomplishments for the sake of potentially increasing enrollment rather than truly glorifying the Lord.  After all, how do we know what this excellence we proclaim really looks like in academics, athletics, and the school in general?  That question is what I hope to focus on during the month of January.

When we think about the discipleship of children and youth, most of us first picture the home and the church—and rightly so. Scripture makes clear that these are God’s intentional design for generational discipleship. Yet, in today’s world, another institution holds enormous influence over the hearts and minds of young people: the school. For nearly 40 hours a week—16,000 hours from kindergarten to graduation—children sit under the instruction of teachers, absorb ideas, and form their worldview. The question, then, is not whether schools will disciple children, it’s what kind of discipleship they will provide. There is no such thing as a neutral education.

Education Is Discipleship

Every subject—math, science, literature, history, is taught from some perspective of truth, and that perspective either aligns with God’s Word or it does not.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

Schools are not merely academic institutions; they are powerful discipleship centers. They shape how students view God, themselves, morality, and the world around them. That is why Kingdom Education insists that schooling must be intentionally grounded in God’s Word—not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.

Kingdom Education: More Than a Buzz Phrase

Kingdom Education is not just a trendy phrase to sprinkle into mission statements. It is a comprehensive philosophy rooted in the conviction that all education must be biblical, Christ-centered, and kingdom-directed.

The 14 principles and the 4 domains emphasize that:

● Parents are the primary disciplers of children, and schools must serve to support—not replace—the parents or the church.

● All truth is God’s truth, and every academic subject must be taught in light of Scripture.

● The ultimate goal of education is discipleship—forming students who love God and live for His glory.

If Kingdom Education is not intentionally trained, implemented, and evaluated, schools risk drifting into the world’s patterns—producing students who excel academically, prepared for the next step of education, but who lack a biblical worldview. Our responsibility as Kingdom Educators is not to prepare students in kindergarten for first grade, or eighth graders for ninth grade, but to create Purposes With A Name individuals carrying out their Kingdom assignment on earth, all while bringing God glory.

The Impact of Schools

Research affirms the significance of schools in discipleship. Barna has found that children develop their moral and spiritual foundations by age 13, and that the majority of their worldview is formed by then. Considering that children spend more waking hours in school than anywhere else outside the home, the influence of the classroom cannot be underestimated.

A school that embraces Kingdom Education has the opportunity to:

● Reinforce what parents teach at home.

● Provide biblical formation in every subject.

● Surround children with mentors who model Christlikeness.

● Create an environment where discipleship is central, not secondary.

A Call to Be Intentional

Parents, church leaders, and educators must recognize that the school is a frontline in the battle for discipleship. Choosing a school is not merely about academics or co-curricular activities, it is about who will help shape your child’s soul.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

This sacred trust demands that schools be places where discipleship is intentional, consistent, and Kingdom-driven. The home and church remain God’s primary design for discipleship, but schools are an undeniable force in shaping the next generation. Kingdom Education ensures that schools partner with parents and churches to create a unified, biblical foundation for children and youth.

Kingdom Education is not a buzz phrase. It is a biblical mandate that must be trained, lived out, and implemented with urgency. When schools embrace their discipleship role, they not only teach students how to think critically, but how to live faithfully, bringing God glory in all they do.

Every parent knows the power of friendships in shaping a child’s life. The people our children spend the most time with are often the ones who influence their decision-making and their values. Friendships are never neutral; they either move us closer to Christ or further away from Him. This is why discipleship must include intentionally guiding children toward godly friendships that nurture their spiritual growth.

The Biblical Weight of Friendships

Scripture consistently points to the importance of choosing the right companions.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20

The friends our children walk with will either reinforce wisdom or lead them into destruction. The Apostle Paul echoed this truth when he warned in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” From the Garden of Eden to the early church, we see how relationships influence obedience and discipleship. Friendships are not merely social connections; they are spiritual investments that shape a child’s worldview and character.

Parents Who Guide Friendships

Parents cannot afford to be passive about their child’s friendships. All areas of a child’s life must be aligned with truth from God—including their relationships. This does not mean controlling every choice, but creating an environment where biblical wisdom guides decision-making.

Practical steps include:

● Modeling Friendship – Parents should model what godly, supportive, Christ-centered friendships look like in their own lives.

● Teaching Discernment – Encourage children to evaluate friendships by asking: Does this friend help me follow Christ?

● Facilitating Godly Connections – Be intentional about environments where children build friendships: church gatherings, Christian activities, and family-centered communities.

What the Research Says

Modern research reinforces biblical truth: peers strongly influence the moral and spiritual outcomes of youth. Studies by the Barna Group show that friendships often shape a teen’s views on morality, identity, and faith more than formal instruction. Teens who are surrounded by godly peers are far more likely to remain committed to their faith as they enter adulthood.

Worship Pastor Jeremiah Woods states,

“Life moves at the speed of relationships.”

In other words, the “village” that supports discipleship is not only made up of parents, teachers, and mentors, but also of peers who are walking the same path of faith.

Building Friendships That Last

The discipleship village we create for our children must include peers who reinforce biblical truth. The early church offers a model of this: believers not only learned from the apostles but also from each other through fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement (Acts 2:42). We were created for relationship—and relationships matter.

Helping children form Christ-centered friendships means prioritizing environments where truth is upheld and relationships are built around God’s Word. This may require limiting time in settings where peer influence is contrary to biblical values and investing in spaces where discipleship flourishes. It may also include limiting access to certain influences and, even as parents, telling children, “That is not a friend we approve of.”

A Call to Parents and Leaders

If we desire our children to stand strong in a culture that pulls them away from truth, we must help them cultivate friendships that anchor them in Christ.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

The friends who walk beside our children will either pull them down or lift them up toward Christ. As parents and leaders, our calling is to guide them into friendships that sharpen their faith, encourage their obedience, and walk with them on the narrow path.

Discipleship of the next generation requires more than teaching truth at the table or within the village, it requires ensuring that the voices closest to our children echo that same truth. Godly friendships are one of the most powerful reinforcements of a biblical worldview. Parents, be intentional. Help your children build friendships that are not only fun but formative. Make certain they have relationships that point them toward Christ and strengthen them for the journey of faith.

The discipleship of children and youth is one of the most urgent callings of our time. In a culture that relentlessly shapes the hearts and minds of the next generation, God’s design for discipleship must be reclaimed and prioritized. Parents remain the primary disciplers of their children, but Scripture also reveals the value of a broader, intentional village—rooted in biblical truth—that comes alongside the home to strengthen and support this calling. Some might call this village extended family or friends.

God’s Design: Parents First, But Not Alone

The Bible is clear: the responsibility of discipling children belongs first to the parents.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

This ongoing lifestyle of discipleship is essential in the development of the next generation. Parents cannot outsource the spiritual training of their children, but neither are they meant to walk the journey in isolation. We were created for relationship, but it is our choice to determine the influences we allow in our children’s lives. God designed the community of faith—an intentional, Christ-centered village—to be a reinforcing voice of truth in a child’s life.

The Biblical Village

The book of Psalms emphasizes generational discipleship within the community of God’s people:

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)

This is not limited to parents but includes grandparents, teachers, mentors, and the wider faith family. In the early church, discipleship was communal: families broke bread together, prayed together, and upheld one another in faith (Acts 2:42–47). The village was intentional, not passive. Its calling was to pass down truth and model godly living for young believers.

Why the Village Matters

Research reveals the power of multiple voices affirming the same truths. Studies from the Barna Group show that young people are far more likely to remain in the faith when they have at least five invested Christian adults in their lives beyond their parents. This confirms the biblical pattern: discipleship thrives when children are surrounded by a village of believers who echo the same values and truths being taught at home.

Yet, for this village to be effective, it must be rooted in biblical truth. A community that affirms cultural values over God’s Word will not lead children toward Christ, but away from Him. The intentional village must stand firm on Scripture, aligning with God’s design for the family and His standards of holiness.

The Role of the Village

While parents are the primary disciplers, the village—comprised of the church, Christian educators, and godly mentors—serves to reinforce, not replace, parental discipleship. This alignment prevents mixed messages. When the home, church, and school are united under a biblical worldview, the child receives a consistent message of truth.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

A child surrounded by such a village has multiple reinforcements to strengthen their walk with Christ.

A Call to Build the Village

Here are ways parents can intentionally find and build a village to help disciple their children:

● Prioritize Christian Community – Regularly gather with believers for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Show children that the church is family.

● Seek Godly Mentors – Invite trusted adults into your child’s life who will speak biblical truth and model Christlikeness.

● Unite Church and Home – Discuss at home what is being taught at church and in school. Reinforce it around the family table.

● Protect Against False Villages – Be intentional about peers, media, education, and influences. Not every community is rooted in truth—choose wisely.

Discipleship of the next generation is too great a task to be carried by parents alone. God designed an intentional, truth-rooted village to surround children and youth with consistent, Christ-centered influence. Parents are responsible for laying the foundation, but the village can either strengthen or crack that foundation.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors all have a role to play in raising a generation grounded in truth. Let us build intentional villages, rooted in God’s Word, to disciple the next generation to bring God glory.

Become a 2-Year Partner

One of the greatest responsibilities given to parents is the discipleship of their children. From a biblical worldview, the task of shaping the faith, values, and worldview of the next generation belongs first and foremost to the home. While the church and Christian schools are valuable partners, Scripture makes it clear that parents are God’s primary means of passing truth from one generation to the next. The table is the place where families gather to eat, talk, pray, and reflect. It is one of the most powerful—and yet often overlooked—centers for discipleship.

Parents: The First Disciplers

The Word of God emphasizes the parent’s responsibility in discipleship:

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)

The picture here is not one of occasional instruction but of a lifestyle of discipleship. Every moment, every setting—and especially the daily rhythms of life—offers opportunities for parents to build a child’s foundation.

Barna Research highlights that nearly 64% of young adults who grew up in church leave the faith after high school, often because their faith was never deeply rooted at home, around the table. A Sunday morning service alone cannot disciple a child. God designed discipleship to flow most naturally from parent to child, in the context of everyday life.

The Table: A Place for Discipleship

Throughout history, the table has been more than a place to eat. It has been the hub of conversation, instruction, and spiritual shaping. Studies on family dynamics show that families who regularly share meals together report higher emotional health, stronger communication, and deeper bonds of trust. More importantly, the table provides a natural opportunity for parents to teach God’s Word, apply biblical principles, and listen to the hearts of their children.

Jesus Himself modeled this. Many of His most profound teachings were given while breaking bread with His disciples (Luke 24:30–32). The table becomes not only a place of nourishment for the body but also of nourishment for the soul.

Kingdom Education: Order is Essential

Kingdom Education teaches that the primary responsibility of educating and discipling children rests with parents—and that this must be done according to God’s Word. Children are given as a blessing and heritage to parents. God’s advancement of truth in society was designed to flow out of the family, and that foundation was meant to begin around the table.

Churches and schools should only serve as reinforcements, not replacements, of this God-given mandate. Psalm 78:4 captures this vision: We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Discipleship of the next generation requires intentional, biblical training that connects faith to every area of life. From academics to relationships, culture, and personal decisions, parents must see themselves as the front-line disciplers, ensuring that their children not only know Scripture but learn to think and live through the lens of a biblical worldview.

Order is essential, and God gave children to parents—therefore, making them the first and primary disciplers.

A Call to Parents

If we are to raise a generation who will stand firm in truth, discipleship must begin not with a program, but with parents leading their homes. Here are practical ways this can happen at the family table:

● Read Scripture Together – Begin or end meals with a passage from God’s Word. Discuss what it means and how it applies to daily life.

● Pray as a Family – Let children hear parents pray—not only for needs but in thanksgiving and worship.

● Discuss Worldview Issues – Talk about what children hear at school, in media, or from friends, and measure it against Scripture.

● Model Faith – Children learn more from what they see than from what they are told. Parents who live out their faith daily make the strongest impression.

The future of the church and culture depends on the discipleship of the next generation. God has given parents—not pastors, not teachers—the primary role in this calling. The table is where discipleship takes root, where hearts are shaped, and where a biblical worldview is formed.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Parents, the call is clear: take your place as the number one discipler of your children, and reclaim the table as the most valuable place of discipleship.

I think most of us would agree that many of the things we do each day are in preparation for things we hope to see in the future.  We plan for a trip now, which we plan to take months from now.  We put money away now, for retirement that may be many years from now. We send our kids to Christian schools now in hopes that it will put them on better footing years from now.  

The question is, when it comes to Chrisian school athletics, where do we want to see our athletes in 20-30 years from now? 

I am sure we want to see them:

• Setting an example in “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity”.- I Timothy 4:12
• Having “speech that is seasoned with salt, so they know how to respond to every person”.– Colossians 4:6
• Living “sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age.” – Titus 2:12
• Living “the rest of their time in the flesh no longer for the lust of the flesh but for the will of God”.- I Peter 4:2 

If these are some of the things we want from our student athletes, there is no better time like the present to prepare our athletes for living for Christ in this life and all eternity.  As Scripture states:

“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.”                           

(2 Corinthians 6:2)

“Wake up and strengthen the things that remain…”                                                       

 (Revelation 3:2)

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

(Galatians 6:9)

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today.”         

(Hebrews 3:13)

Back to the question of where we want to see our athletes in the future? Some answers might be:

• To be increasing in the knowledge of God
• To know God’s calling and purpose in their lives and living it out
• To be active and committed member in the local body of believers
• To bear fruit for Christ
• To be walking closely with the Lord, walking as He walked
• To be loving husbands, wives, fathers and mothers
• To be leading in the career field God has prepared them for, having dominion for the glory of God

If those are just a few of the things we want to see for our student-athletes, then we must now be:

• Teaching them all that God has commanded
• Maximizing opportunities, on and off the field to seeing them growing in knowledge of the Lord
• Giving them opportunity to lead
• Modeling proper attitudes and work ethic
• Encouraging them by developing their God-given talents for God’s glory, not selfish gain
• Model and provide them opportunity to use their gifts and talents
• Helping them to understand the order of God, family, church, and life

Scripture is clear that God has created us to have dominion, rule over, and do a good work as unto the Lord.  When schools and coaches utilize the platform of athletics to prepare student-athletes to live for Christ now and forever, there is a much better chance for gaining the victory for eternity and maybe even in Friday night’s game.  

A question we must ask ourselves as Christian school leaders is, how does athletics fit into the overall purpose of a Christian school? To get to that answer, we need to know what is the purpose of athletics in a Christian school?

A few possible answers to that questions are:

• Build life-long, Christ-like character
• Grow in the knowledge of God
• Equip athletes for service and God’s calling in their lives
• Evangelize the lost
• Strengthen and enhance talents and abilities

If these are anywhere near accurate, then school leaders must ask themselves are we anywhere near accomplishing these goals in the life of our schools?

A good friend of mine always says, “Culture is created wherever you are”. Meaning, you contribute to the culture and depending on the amount of influence you have, you can develop and maintain the culture you want in the life of your school.  

If that is the case, how do we build and maintain a culture in our athletic programs that is positive and honors Christ first and foremost?

• Make sure there is an appropriate balance for athletics in the school and that it does not become the end all, or the “tail that wags the dog”.
• Value and honor the role of the home and church
• Model and reinforce the fruit of the spirit 
• Don’t expect from others what you are not modeling yourself
• Watch your tone, attitudes, commitments, and life
• Teach and reinforce positive words and actions
• Emphasize team over individuals 
• Influence the behaviors of others, assuring that Christ is honored in every area
• Practice hard, play hard, have fun

When we understand the overall purpose for athletics and we are committed to Christ and His word, I have no doubt that we will develop and maintain a culture in our athletic programs that utilizes the fun-filled purpose of athletics to prepare athletes for what God is calling them to be and do, for His glory. 

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.”