Christianity Is A Team Sport

October 30, 2023

In sports, triumph often hinges on teamwork, dedicated training, and expert coaching. Remarkably, these principles parallel spirituality, especially within the Christian faith. While salvation, personal relationships with God, and repentance remain deeply personal, living a Christian life is akin to participating in a team sport meant to be shared with other believers. The Bible imparts profound wisdom on how pastors assume the role of coaches, and churches serve as training grounds. Much like having a personal gym, while you can work out alone, genuine success in Christianity thrives on team dynamics. Isolating yourself from fellow Christians and forsaking the church can leave you spiritually unprepared for life’s challenges.

The Pastor as the Coach:

The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 4:11-12: “So Christ gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.” In much the same way a sports coach guides, motivates, and instructs their team, pastors provide:

Spiritual guidance.
Facilitating a profound understanding of the Bible.
Igniting a Christ-centered life.

As the Bible outlines, pastors function as coaches, nurturing your faith, spiritual gifts, and comprehension of God’s Word. They offer sermons and counseling to aid in surmounting challenges and maturing as a Christian. In the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6, “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”

The Church as the Training Facility:

Even though professional athletes like LeBron James maintain home gyms, they still assemble at training facilities to collaborate with coaches, fellow athletes, and mentors, dissect game footage, and engage in rehabilitation. Similarly, the church serves as a training facility where believers assemble for worship, learning, and spiritual growth.

Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the significance of communal gatherings: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Biblical Emphasis on Attending Church:

The New Testament revolves around the teachings of Jesus and lays out the blueprint for how churches should function. Attending church is not merely a tradition but a fundamental part of the Christian life. We discover this wisdom throughout the New Testament, reinforcing the importance of being an active member of a Christian congregation.

Within the church, you can partake in collective activities such as Bible studies, prayer meetings, and community service, which fortify your spiritual foundation and nurture connections with diverse individuals who can uplift and challenge you on your faith journey.

Training Alone vs. Playing as a Team:

While it’s essential for athletes to have a home gym and dedicate time to practice their skills individually, Christians also need moments of personal worship, Bible study, and private prayer to cultivate their personal relationship with God. However, just as 1 Corinthians 12:12 highlights the collective strength of teamwork within the body of Christ, Christianity thrives not only on individual devotion but also on the synergy of believers working together in unity.

Participating in a church community empowers you to draw strength and support from fellow believers, aligning perfectly with the wisdom found in Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The church weaves a network of individuals who can pray for you, offer guidance, and share their spiritual experiences. Similar to how a sports team excels through the unique skills of its players, a church community flourishes thanks to the diverse gifts and talents of its members, as beautifully illustrated in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Stepping Off the Bench: Embracing the Call to Build God’s Kingdom

In sports, only some get to step onto the field and actively participate in the game. Some are content to remain on the bench, watching the action unfold from the sidelines. This analogy often holds in Christianity, where some believers find themselves on the spiritual sidelines, not actively engaged in the mission to build God’s kingdom.

The “game” in Christianity isn’t about personal achievements, wealth, or fame, much like the pursuits of movie stars or sports athletes. Instead, it revolves around the Great Commission, a divine call to go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This commission urges us to actively join the game, sharing the message of salvation and contributing to the growth of God’s kingdom.

However, it’s common for some Christians to opt for the bench, choosing comfort over active involvement. The bench may offer a sense of security, where faith is a personal journey without venturing into the mission to fulfill the Great Commission. It represents a passive stance in the game of building the kingdom.

The Great Commission underscores that our faith journey is an active one. It calls for participation in the transformative work of God in the lives of others. While the bench might seem comfortable, it can mean missing out on the profound impact one can have on the world.

To play this game effectively, we need a great team and coaches, and these come by way of joining a Bible-teaching church. Just as God provides divine guidance and wisdom to sports teams for their success, He equips Bible-teaching churches with His Word, offering a game plan for fulfilling His mission. You are an integral part of this divine game plan, and it’s time to step off the bench and get into the game.

The call to action is clear:

Embrace your role in this game.
Actively engage in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom.
Join a Bible-teaching church.

The world is waiting for your unique skills, talents, and passion to make a lasting impact. It’s not about personal recognition or earthly gain; it’s about leaving a mark on this world for the glory of God. So, let’s rally together as a team, follow the divine game plan, and make a difference that echoes through eternity.

Get off the bench and get into the game!