A Biblical Approach to Parenting Your AthleteSample

## Influence or Idol-What should my perspective be about sports?

READY:

> “Do not have other gods besides me.”—Exodus 20:3

SET: Sports is what we do, not who we are.

At a young age, I learned through sports that I received a lot of notoriety. It’s normal for children to want to be noticed and admired---and sports fulfilled this desire in me during my formative years. I lived for sports, and it gave me the admiration I craved.

An idol can be considered an object of extreme devotion or an object of worship. Yikes…devotion and worship seem like words suited for the church than a football field. As a kid, sports were my idol—and I’ve been fighting that sports idol temptation ever since.

That temptation to idolatry doesn’t end when we hang up our cleats—it can follow us into parenthood. My dad was so proud of my early athletic accomplishments that he had a beautiful cherrywood trophy case made to display the proof of my sports successes. A proud father's decision to have a display case for his son's sports awards has several positive aspects. However, a definite risk is associated with giving too much weight to pursuits that can expose our kids to false identities or beliefs.

Parents, you play a key role in helping your athlete child develop a healthy perspective about his or her competitive sports. They will follow your lead when determining whether they consider sports a healthy influence in their lives or a destructive idol that never fills the void reserved only for God. Ask God to show you how to prevent sports from becoming an idol in your family.

WORKOUT: Bible Discussion

Matthew 6:21

Matthew 6:33

Luke 16:13

1 Timothy 4:7-8

GO:

1\. From the verses provided, find principles or lessons that will help sports not become an idol in your life.

2\. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 compares “training in godliness” with “training the body.” Your athlete child is already training his or her body. What are ways you can help your child “train in godliness?”

3\. What is the one big idea or takeaway from these Bible verses that you might apply to parenting your athlete child?

OVERTIME: Practice Session

1\. Would you be willing to pray this prayer?

“Lord, I realize my child’s game is just that…a game. Please help me keep their sports in the right perspective. Help me fight the temptation to place more importance on their sports activities than I do on their spiritual growth. Keep reminding me of the danger of sports becoming an idol to them and me. Help me always keep Jesus the priority in everything. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”

2\. Why do I get so angry when my athletic child does not perform like I know they can? Why is it so important for my child to be a starter or star player? When my child does not perform well, do I hurt for them, or am I hurt by them? Are my expectations for my child's sports experience the same as theirs?

Influence or Idol Testimonial