More than one hundred twenty-three million viewers tuned in to see the Superbowl LVIII in February. The spending for sports in a year reaches into the billions of dollars and is steadily rising. We are talking about a massive industry.
How should Christians view sports? What things should we consider as we enter the conversation around sports? Let's discuss these questions and more.
Foremost, I'm not judging whether sports are good or bad. Sports continue to be a massive part of our society, and people are spending increased time and money in this industry. Travel sports teams constantly pop up, equipment continues to advance, and bigger, fancier stadiums are built. You can observe the growth in sports in your own communities.
What is the appeal? Why do we enjoy sports so much? It feeds into our entertainment-based society. We enjoy being entertained. Research shows that nearly 70% of Americans watch live sports, most tuning in weekly. In 2020, more than 3 billion people tuned in globally to watch the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
I come from a very sports-oriented family. I got a scholarship to play Division I lacrosse, my father was a minor league baseball player, and my brother played college baseball. We frequented many professional games as a child. I grew up in and around the world of sports. My three children are all involved in different sports. My husband and I coach and assist with many aspects of our kids' sports. I have seen the pros and cons of our sports-dominated world.
Sports fans get wrapped up in the captivating, emotional experience of cheering on their teams and rooting for their kids. The excitement of the unknown of sports provides an interruption from the mundane. It gives folks something to look forward to, root for, and get excited about.
One can't help but wonder…how is all this focus on sports impacting the family unit?
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With multiple kids in different sports, travel teams, intense practice, and game schedules, families are being stretched thin. Home is where growth occurs, discipline happens, deep conversations take place, Bible study transpires, books are read, and more. Family dinners produce a gathering place after a long day for family members to connect, share, discuss, and be together. When sports have each member heading in different directions, these opportunities are harder to find.
On weekends, parents divide and conquer. Sports play a significant role in how families spend their weekends. Long gone are the days when the family works on a house project together on a Saturday.
Parents must be intentional and deliberate about how their family desires to spend their time. Ensure you and your spouse spend your days and weekends as you would like. Help your children keep the big picture in mind; it's so easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement.
Sports can provide wonderful opportunities for the family to experience things together and make memories. You can cheer on a family member or a favorite team together. You will have an opportunity to show love and rally around your kids if they get injured.
Try to have your involvement with sports be life-giving for the family. If it's the opposite, don't be afraid to reevaluate. Get your kid's input, but ultimately, mom and dad must make the tough decisions for the family.
One of the major roles of parents is building character in our kids. Thankfully, sports provide opportunities for character-building, such as learning to work as a team, discipline, hard work, communication, responsibility, putting your teammates first, and more.
Teenagers are naturally narcissistic; it's part of their development. They are focused on themselves. Our job as parents is to get them to look beyond themselves. If the entire family revolves around their sports schedule, it feeds that self-importance in an undesirable way.
Find ways to teach kids it's not all about them. Strive for them to be well-rounded. It's great they can go and shoot the winning goal in a game, but do they serve their church on Sunday? Are they willing to volunteer in their community? Do they practice putting others first?
Chores are an excellent way to teach kids how a household works. If they never learn the tasks that make a house run, how will they run their own home one day? Kids have a desire to feel valued and part of a team. The family unit is their first team. Enroll them in the invaluable tasks of the family: dishes, cooking, cleaning, taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc.
Create time in their schedule to participate in other character-building opportunities. For example, our church has a church workday. We decided everyone would participate, even if it meant missing sports. It was a priority for that Saturday.
Take time to have the conversations that sports interactions provide. Prepare them on how to handle opposing players, how they treat their teammates and their coaches, and how to respond to smack-talking. Coach them to be responsible with their gear and prepared for games and practice. Take advantage of the organic situations that lead to good conversation.
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Our job as Christians in this world is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Our decisions should revolve around this mindset.
We are made to worship; our Creator designed us this way. We worship God, or we will fill that void with all sorts of worldly things. The first commandment states, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). If you are choosing things over God, it's time for a priority check.
I remember being in a covenant group with some ladies. One said her family hadn't been to church in weeks because it was baseball season. We have a duty to worship the Lord every Sunday. If we chose sports over church, what are we teaching our kids with that decision? We must model what we teach!
Just the other day, my daughter asked if she could compete on a Sunday because it was going to be her birthday (she knows our family doesn't compete on the Lord's Day). I reminded her gently that she does not trump God. The appropriate order is God first, then us. When we choose our activity over God, aren't we playing God, deciding what is most important?
Choose a Kingdom mindset: live for eternity. We are not here to glorify ourselves; we are here to glorify our Heavenly Father. While sports are great and have their place, we must be cautious not to put sports above God.
Sinclair Ferguson states this point well in his book The Sermon on the Mount, "When we hold this world and its contents too near, we no longer see Christ and his glory so clearly. The value of this world grows out of proportion. We compromise, stumble, and fall."
Sports are an exciting way to watch your kids grow and develop. It's pleasant observing them gain skill and strength. However, it's good to continually evaluate your involvement with sports. If you let it, it can quickly consume all your time and resources. As parents, you must decide where to draw the line. You must protect your family time.
Study the Ten Commandments and take them seriously. They were given to us for guidance to help keep us on the narrow path. If you read them and pray, God will convict you if you have gotten off course. He is a great God and so forgiving. Don't beat yourself up. Course correct.
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