Published by Good Book Company on April 1, 2025
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life, Sports, Theology
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Discover what the Bible says about participating, competing, and enjoying sports.
Millions of us love sports—playing, supporting, watching. But have you ever thought about how your love for sports connects with your love for Jesus?
Some of us feel a bit guilty for loving sports so much, especially when there are so many other ways in which we could be using our time to serve God. Others see it simply as a great way to share the gospel (while having fun). And many of us have never really thought about it at all!
This book will show you what the Bible says. You’ll discover a more liberating approach than feeling a bit guilty, a deeper approach than seeing sports as only an evangelistic opportunity, and a better approach than not linking your faith and your love of sports at all.
Starting with asking why God created sports in the first place, Spiritual Game Plan explores how the gospel impacts and transforms the way we think and play. You'll discover how to enjoy sports even more as you let God shape your perspective, and you'll see how he can use your sports to grow and shape you as his follower.
Includes lots of stories from elite to everyday athletes, as well as chapters on specific topics such as sports on Sundays. In addition to teaching for athletes, there is advice for parents, coaches, and fans.
This is a great gift for Christians who love sports.
I am not athletically gifted in the slightest, but this book piqued my interest, because I had never before seen a Christian living book that focused on sports. There are plenty of Christian books that use sports as a metaphor, or which share inspiring stories about Christian athletes, but this one focuses on what it means for Christians to play sports to the glory of God. The authors, Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid, reflect on how sports fit into a Christian understanding of creation, the fall, and redemption, and they address common questions and issues that Christians face when playing sports.
As the authors express, many athletes never receive any guidance for how they can glorify God in their sports-related jobs or passions, beyond receiving a stamp of approval from the church if they use sports as a mission field. This book takes a much broader look at the value of sports and competition, and shares wise advice for dealing with common pitfalls. There is also a thoughtful and nuanced chapter about the question of sports schedules that conflict with Sunday morning worship.
Spiritual Game Plan: Competing with Joy and Godliness is thought-provoking and inspiring. This book is a quick, easy read, and it is full of helpful insights and encouragement for athletes at all levels. All throughout, the authors include quotes and stories from professional athletes, and I appreciated the range of different sports represented, as well as the balanced representation of male and female athletes. This book will be beneficial for other professional athletes, and for adults and teens who enjoy pursuing sports as a passion. This book will also benefit parents and coaches.