Sports are close to my heart. Not only was playing quarterback in high school a great learning experience, but my high school football coach led me to the Lord. I am a living example of what can happen when Christians show the love of Jesus to others through athletics.
But there’s a problem developing within youth sports. It’s becoming an avenue for turning young athletes into a commodity. As we’re all aware, athletics is a profitable industry. So much money is involved these days that many young athletes are unable to separate their worth as a person from their ability to perform.
Many parents are also feeling pressure. The financial requirements associated with youth sports increases nearly every year. Of course, the more parents spend, the more pressure it puts on kids to deliver on their parents’ investment — which is perhaps why, statistically, the more parents spend on their kids’ sport, the less their kids enjoy their sport.
What’s the answer?
I’ve invited authors Brian Smith and Dr. Ed Uszynski on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to share how parents can use youth sports as an opportunity to disciple their kids in the Christian faith.
Neither Brian or Ed believe it is a bad idea to invest in a child’s sports career. However, they do believe it’s important for parents to have boundaries and to be aware of the many factors outside of money that contribute to whether or not their child will continue on and play in college or professionally. For most kids, sports will be temporary, but it can teach life lessons that will translate into valuable skills outside of athletics.
Hear how to help your children pursue sports in ways that will benefit not only their physical development, but their mental and spiritual development as well, including:
• A healthy view of youth sports.
• Sports as a mission field.
• Teaching peace and love through sports.
• How sports can build self-control.
• Grounding kids with gameday routines.