10/11/2026
In today’s society, sports have become a bit of a religion. 🏆
We celebrate the wins, glorify the stats, praise the rankings, and sometimes allow a child’s performance to carry more weight than their character. But we have to stop and ask ourselves: What is happening in the hearts of our children when the thing they do begins to define who they believe they are?
There is a real danger when a child begins to believe they are only as valuable as their last performance, only as worthy as their playing time, or only as lovable as their ability to help their team win.
When sports become an identity instead of an opportunity, the heart can quietly begin to worship what was never meant to be on the throne.
Sports are a gift, but they were never meant to be a god.
As parents and coaches, we have a responsibility to point our children to something greater than a scoreboard. We can teach them to compete with excellence, pursue discipline, embrace correction, and work hard while also reminding them that their identity is rooted in Christ, not in their performance.
📖 “For man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
📖 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” - Ephesians 2:10
📖 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” - Matthew 16:26
Let’s be intentional about the messages we send. Let’s celebrate effort, integrity, humility, perseverance, and character just as much as we celebrate victories. Let’s make sure our children know that our love for them is not tied to their stats, their starting position, their trophies, or their ability to perform under pressure.
Their performance is what they do. It is not who they are.
They are not a bad kid because they had a bad game. They are not less valuable because they sat on the bench. And they are not more worthy because they scored the winning goal.
Our children need to know that they can give their very best on the field without losing sight of who they are off of it. They need to know that they can pursue greatness in their sport without making an idol out of it.
Parents and coaches, let’s not just develop better athletes. Let’s help raise children whose hearts are anchored in Jesus, whose character stands firm in adversity, and whose identity cannot be shaken by a scoreboard.
May we teach them to play for the glory of God, not the approval of people.
Because at the end of the day, the goal is not simply to raise champions in sports. It’s to raise disciples of Christ. 🙏🏼
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
