The Sunday Dilemma: The Real Talk Parents Need to Hear About Faith and Sports
Let’s talk real here, friend. Sports are phenomenal. They teach our kids discipline, teamwork, perseverance—all the good stuff that sets them up for life. But there’s something about sports that’s always unsettled me: they’ve become the thing for many families, often at the expense of church and, ultimately, faith.
Take a look at the calendar for most sports seasons, and you’ll notice this glaring fact: games, practices, tournaments—they’re all booked solid on Sundays. Why? Because somewhere along the way, sports became an idol of worship. And I’m not just talking baseball (although I could easily park here). It’s every sport.
Here’s the hard question to ask yourself (and confession time is good for the soul): How many times have you skipped church because of a game? Or because you didn’t want to miss the game on TV? Now, before anyone grabs a pitchfork, let me clarify—I’m not saying missing church every now and then is going to send you straight to the pit. I’m not getting legalistic here.
What I am saying is this: what you prioritize as a parent sets the stage for what your kids will prioritize as adults. Kids learn by watching, and if we’re consistently valuing trophies, medals, and titles over time in God’s house, guess what? That’s what they’re going to value too.
Look at our society today. We’ve elevated outside activities—sports, hobbies, you name it—to such a high pedestal that church has been relegated to the “if we have time” category. And here’s the blunt truth: it shows. Kids who grew up in church aren’t making it a priority as adults. That’s on us, parents.
So, let me ask you: Is that earthly award more important than the eternal one?
Let me share a story that shaped how I view this. My parents raised me with one firm, unshakable rule: Sundays were for God. No work. No exceptions. Church was the priority, and nothing else came close. That mindset was so deeply ingrained in me that when I was 19 and working two jobs, it influenced how I handled a sticky situation.
I was working at Walmart part-time while a full-time housekeeper at Holiday Inn. When I transferred to a new Walmart closer to home, the manager laid out my schedule. Right there, bold as can be, were Sunday shifts. I told him, “At my last store, I didn’t work Sundays because I go to church.”
He didn’t even hesitate. “All our employees here work Sundays. That’s not an option.”
I could’ve caved. I could’ve justified it as a “season” and gone along with it. But instead, I stood firm. I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Then you just lost yourself a really good employee,” and walked out.
I didn’t regret it for a second. Sure, money was tight, but within eight weeks, I landed my first admin job at an advertising company - the true field I had prayed I could find work in. I believe with my whole heart that God honored that decision. He saw my priorities and opened the right door at the right time.
Parents, here’s the challenge: don’t let anything—anything—get in the way of your kids knowing how important church is. If you don’t make it a priority, neither will they. It’s not just about attending a service; it’s about showing them what truly matters in life.
Sports are great. Let your kids play, learn, and grow. But keep God first. Keep Sundays special. Because the awards and accolades will fade, but the eternal foundation you’re building in your kids? That’s forever.
Unfiltered truth, no fluff. Let’s get it right.