I can talk about football (soccer) for hours and hours. I can explain to a child how to play the game well. I can explain the rules of the game. I can explain every single little detail of soccer to any age child.
Can I explain the grace of God as eloquently? Or describe the trinity to a child? Can I talk for hours about prayer?
As a believer who loves God and knows all glory belongs to him I want the same for my children. Not only because of God's command to raise up a child in His ways but because I know how wonderful it is be in a relationship with Him. So why is it so much easier for me to talk about football (soccer) then it is about spiritual ideas?
1. That's how our culture works - Sports is HUGE in our culture and because of that, it is what we learn. We don't sit around the watercooler at work talking about how to impart spiritual truths to our children. Especially "we guys" sit around and talk about sports! When we turn on the nine o'clock news there is nothing about training your child, but there will be a sports section.
2. That's how we were raised - I love my dad, he is a great father. He taught me about many things, including God. If I were to look back and see what our conversations were mostly about though it would be football (soccer). My mom and I still discuss baseball and the great L.A. Dodgers! I was blessed to have great parents that did also teach me about God's word yet I still find it difficult when a kid comes up to me and asks a spiritual question. If I have trouble explaining spiritual truths to children and I came from a home where the truths were lived out and explained I can only imagine how difficult it might be for somebody who did not have such a blessed background.
3. You never had a coach. In sports there is always a coach, even professionals have a coach. In parenting you didn't get one (sorry!). You don't even have a team around you all the time! You may have some people around you that help, but nobody is there two or three nights a week just checking in to make sure you are using your skills correctly. Nobody is guiding you through practice drills.What most of us learned about parenting was from our parents - who were rookies too!
This is why a church body can be so important. You can have a coach through your pastors, but you have to utilize them and listen to their advice. You have an entire team surrounding you, but you have to be a team player. Ask for help.
4. It's a lot easier to talk sports. Most of the time you are talking in facts, LeBron is better than Kobe, real facts. When you get to spiritual issues you are talking concepts. How does prayer work? There is not a factual response... except... it just does.
These are just a few reasons why it is easier to talk about sports than spiritual truths. I share these reasons so that you don't get down on yourself. Just because you find it difficult to explain spiritual truths doesn't make you a bad parent at all. You are still spending time with your child, you are still loving on your child. These things are all very good and give you the "right" to speak with your child about God and His love for them.
You can't ignore God's word and the truth's held in it though. You need to explain who God is and how He shows us His love to your child. So don't hesitate, even if you don't get it quite right, you'll still make a big impact for trying. Just like if you played basketball and missed a lay-up on a break way. You may not have gotten it quite right, but at least the ball is in your side of the court!
Next Wednesday I will have some practical ways to share spiritual truths with your children. As always if you have any questions or are looking for a church body that has a coach please e-mail me at drew@uwsportsministry.org. Be blessed this week by our great God!
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