The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports

by Brian Smith

• ISBN13: 9780830783250
• ISBN10: 0830783253
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780830783250, 9780830783267
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2022-04-05
• Publisher: David C Cook
• More Book Details

Summary

The Christian Athlete provides sports discipleship & faith-based sports training to athletes of all types looking to up their game in their identity with Christ.
 
Athletes desire—and deserve—a more substantive expression of the Christian faith in the context of sport, but they don’t know what it looks like or where to turn to learn more.

Author Brian Smith shares his story as an athlete and coach, and his experience working with high-level athletes in the last decade to help readers better understand how to integrate faith through:

• A GOSPEL-CENTERED GUIDE FOR CHRISTIAN ATHLETES – The Christian Athlete helps athletes integrate faith and sports, showing how to live boldly for Christ both in competition and in everyday life.
• PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN SPORTS DISCIPLESHIP – Written by athlete and coach Brian Smith, this book equips readers to apply biblical truth to sports, training, teamwork, leadership, and personal growth.
• HELPING NAVIGATE PRESSURE, PERFORMANCE & IDENTITY – Learn how to handle winning, losing, injuries, pressure, and competition through a biblical perspective that keeps identity rooted in Christ instead of performance.
• MOVING BEYOND CLICHÉS TO AUTHENTIC FAITH – This encouraging resource challenges athletes to live out their faith with purpose and conviction, both on the field and in everyday relationships and decisions.
• PROVIDING A RESOURCE PERFECT FOR ATHLETES, COACHES & SPORTS MINISTRIES – A valuable resource for Christian athletes, coaches, parents, and team leaders seeking faith-based guidance for sports, character development, and spiritual maturity

The Christian Athlete will show readers how to live out a biblical perspective on athletics and urge them to engage in the gifts they are given to glorify God whether they are the team MVP or riding the bench.

Author Biography

Brian Smith ran track and cross-country at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a Communications and Journalism degree. After two years of coaching track at the college level, he turned to working with Athletes in Action. For the past 10 years he has been helping athletes and coaches live biblically at the intersection of faith and sport through his website, thechristianathlete.com.
 

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction 9
Chapter 1: On Glory and God 13
Chapter 2: On Motivation 33
Chapter 3: On Pressure 43
Chapter 4: On Winning 60
Chapter 5: On Losing 76
Chapter 6: On Injuries 91
Chapter 7: On Practice 105
Chapter 8: On Teammates 115
Chapter 9: On Riding the Bench 129
Chapter 10: On Gray Areas 144
Chapter 11: On Coaches 155
Chapter 12: On Mission 170
Chapter 13: On Platform 181
Chapter 14: On Retirement 199
Conclusion 214
Appendix: How to Craft Your Sports Testimony 225
Acknowledgments 233
Notes 234