Sports are activities that involve physical or mental efforts and skills that can be played competitively or causally (for recreational purposes). Sports are played to improve physical and mental health and develop physical skills. It can be played indoors or outdoors. There are certain rules and regulations that those who play a particular game must strictly follow.
There are numerous types of sports in the world. Nevertheless, sports are classified by the number of players that participate in the game. That is, people can compete as single contestants (individuals), dual, or as a team. The three main categories of sports are:
Individual sports
These are sporting activities that are played single-handedly or without teammates. The players can be part of a team but will perform individually(alone). Examples are cycling, different forms of jumps, golf, gymnastics, swimming, races that are not relay, etc.
Dual sports
These sporting activities require two athletes to compete against each other. Examples are boxing, table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, fencing, etc.
Team sports: These are games that involve more than two players. It includes basketball, relay race, football, volleyball, and so on.
Significance of Sports to National Unity
Sports bring together people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and religions to support the nation and stand united as one. People can also become friends because they support the same team even if they never knew one another from the start. As we watch sports together, it unites people from the north, south, west and east. When we watch sports together, we forget all our differences(religious, political, social etc.)
- When you participate in sports, you learn important virtues that help you become a better person in the community, e.g., commitment, determination, hard work,problem-solving, teamwork, discipline, good attitude, patience, respect, etc. These virtues help shape one’s character.
- We celebrate wins and losses together. For example, when Nigeria’s Super Eagles play in an international sports competition, we support them together regardless of our tribes and cheer them to win. It creates a sense of national pride and fulfilment.
- Sports solidify bonds of friendship between people in the country, thereby resulting in a peaceful community. It helps children to interact with one another, make friends, create exciting memories and be happy. Studies have shown that participation in sports is good for mental health (makes you feel good about yourself).
- When people engage in sports, they exercise their bodies and this, in turn, keeps them healthy and physically strong. We have healthy and physically fit people in the nation because of sports.
- When we participate in sports, we must follow/obey the rules and regulations of the game; when we apply that to life, we abide by the rules of the country, thereby making us law-abiding citizens. This brings about peace in the society. A sportsman has to follow the rules of the game, or else he will be disqualified.2 Timothy 2:5, NLT says, “And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.”
Identifying Some Benefits of Sports
Sports teach life lessons. Children should appreciate and love sports as it is an opportunity to learn different lessons, which can be applied to daily living.
For example, a sportsman or sportswoman has to make conscious and intentional efforts to be disciplined and determined during training and also on the field of play. As children, once you apply that to your academics(being determined to succeed), you will be successful academically.
Sports teach children respect for authority. You must learn to respect your coach, teammates, opponents and spectators. This teaches children to respect their elders and even themselves. Participating in sports also helps children develop leadership qualities like self-discipline, self-confidence, truthfulness, kindness, etc.
Participating in Sporting Activities of Interest
Children should be encouraged to participate in as many sporting activities as possible that will not affect their academics. However, some precautions must be taken and they include:
The Role of the Church in Promoting Sports
The church has a big role in promoting sports
The church must understand that sport is part of God’s bigger purposes in evangelizing and winning souls to Christ Sport ministry/outreach should be established in churches.
When the church supports and organizes sporting activities, it brings new people to church, and it attracts people who have a special interest in sports people (especially outsiders)who ordinarily would not think of going to church These newcomers get involved with activities and relate with other people.
Meditate
Apostle Paul knew the importance of preaching the Gospel to different kinds of people in a way they would comprehend and understand. In some instances, he referred to comparing the Christian race to sporting activities as in I Corinthians 9:24 and 2 Timothy 4:7.
How can the church be of help? First and foremost, she should include plan and scheduling sporting activities into evangelism programmes or church activities. She can also organize a sports camp with the sole purpose of evangelism.
Meditate
Second, the church can pick people or coaches who are passionate about using sports as a tool for evangelism; and train them and any other interested members in sports ministry so they can serve as mentors, counsellors, and disciples on or off the field.
Third, church members can also be encouraged to sponsor sporting activities, give sporting scholarships, donate sporting equipment and construct game facilities.
Lastly, churches that have schools can provide sporting facilities and equipment to promote inter-house and inter-school sports competitions with the purpose of evangelism in mind. The church can be a safe space for sports ministry.
Encouraging Parents to Support Sports
You can also encourage your parents to participate in sports and exercises. Tell them sports are beneficial to their health. Research shows that people who participate in sports are strong, healthy, and happy people. If parents are not used to sporting activities, then the children may not be interested in sports.
Now that you have learnt the importance of sports, you should encourage your parents to support sports by committing their time (being present or taking children to sports practice, inter-house sports competitions, and stadium to watch a game).
Give financial resources(buy them sporting materials, e.g., sportswear, balls, rackets etc.), and give emotional support (encourage children to love sports).
Using Sports for Witnessing Christ
How to Use Sports for Witnessing and Winning Souls to Christ
Sports ministry is used to evangelize Christ. Jesus instructed His disciples in Mark 16:15 to go into the world and preach the Gospel. And one of the various ways we can achieve that is through sports. Sport has been identified as a means of preaching Christ to people, especially young people. How can this be achieved?
- Constant organizing of sporting activities or training sessions such as football competitions, table tennis competitions, aerobics exercise activities, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, etc. These types of sports help coaches or instructors build relationships with participants.
- Use teachable moments during training or game time to teach the Scriptures, disciple them, or share the Gospel with them. For instance, during a canoeing session, they can be taught the story of how Jesus calmed the storm(Mark 4:35-41)and tell them the life application of that story as follows: the disciples thought their boat was going to capsize due to the terrible wave and wind. They were afraid for their lives and had forgotten Jesus was with them in the same boat. Amid the storm, Jesus was at peace. You can also tell them that no matter what storm comes our way in life, Jesus will be there to calm it. During a football practice, players can be taught various Christian virtues like unity(they can learn about Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem or 1 Corinthians 1:10 can be explained to them).
- Players usually form a solid bond and connection with their coaches, and off the field, this results in mentoring and discipleship. This opportunity can be used to tell them about Christ and lead them to Christ.
- As children, you too can share the love of Jesus Christ with your friends in school during your sports periods such as inter-house sports and physical education. All you need to say is ‘Jesus loves you’, ‘Jesus wants to be your friend’, Jesus is the best friend you can have’ and so on.
- Follow up and always pray for anyone you witness Christ to.
Conclusion
Using sports to evangelize is one of the ways of winning souls to Christ, and the church has to deliberately include sports in its regular programmes. Churches can organize sporting activities for children and young people such as football matches, table tennis, skipping etc.
Children and young people from outside the church can be invited to participate. They can then be ministered to in the process. Churches can also engage in healthy competition among themselves in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Meditate
You have to resolve to get involved in sporting activities not just for fun but also for soul-winning. You can invite your friends from school and your neighbourhood to come and participate in your church’s sporting activities.
In the process, you witness to them about the love of Jesus Christ; tell them Jesus loves them; Jesus wants to be their friend, and Jesus is the best friend they can ever have.
Determine to tell your friends at church, home, and school what you have learnt this month about sports ministry. Tell them how they can use various sports to share the Gospel, learn memory verses and win souls to Christ. You can read more similar posts on our mission page of the site.
