Using Your Talents for God - Great Sports Role Models

On Wednesday night, I talked to the Junior Youth Group about using their talents for God. We read from Matthew 25:14-29 (the parable of the talents). During the lesson, we talked about famous people that have used their talents for God. Of course, since it was the night before the big game, we ended up talking about college football.

The group of kids that I teach is mostly boys, but all of them (girls included) love sports, so we end up talking about football, basketball and baseball a lot. You might think that talking about sports takes away from our lesson time, but I've actually been able to use some of their favorite players as examples in our lessons.

I am so thankful for all the great players that are not ashamed to share their faith!

Mark Ingram - University of Alabama - Running Back #22

Mark Ingram is one of the kids' favorite players. (With a room full of Bama fans, the conversation is bound to tun to Alabama Football and Mark Ingram at some point.) I usually begin their lesson each week by asking for prayer requests and praise items. Great games, another Bama win, and a Heisman Trophy were all part of that process (both prayer requests and praises).

I am so thankful that Mark Ingram is a good role model for these kids, because they watch his every move. They wear his jersey, they know his stats, and they join his fan groups on Facebook.

They love him because he's an Alabama player, because he's a winner and because they know he's a good guy.

One of my kids told me after he won the Heisman that before the program, Ingram went into a back room with Tim Tebow for prayer.

Colt McCoy - University of Texas - Quarterback #12

Another sports figure that my class loves is Colt McCoy. He was also a Heisman contender (and for the last month has been our biggest rival).

I felt sorry for him after the game last night when he was interviewed on the field after getting knocked out of the game with an injury. But what he said was a great lesson for my class (and for all of us). He said, "I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life. And I know that if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock."

After a crushing loss, which I am sure frustrated and disappointed McCoy, he still gave God the glory. It would have been easy to say that after a win, but in the midst of defeat and disappointment... that's a great testimony of trusting in God.

Tim Tebow - University of Florida - Quarterback #15

Of course, I can't talk about great Christian role models in college football without talking about Tim Tebow. No matter how much I dislike Gator fooball (We stomped the Chomp! Roll Tide!), I can't help but to like Tim Tebow.

He has used his position as quarterback of the Florida Gators team to reach millions. He always gives God the glory for his accomplishments in interviews, and during each game he wears Bible verses on his eye-blacks.

One of the questions in our lesson on Wednesday night was, "Is there any talent that CAN NOT be used to glorify God?"

As the kids struggled to think of a talent that you couldn't use, I pointed out to them that most people wouldn't think of sports as a normal place for ministry. We talked about Tebow, and how after his games, whatever verse he had written on his eye-blacks that day instantly became one of the most searched phrases on Google. He has truly taken ministry through sports to a new level.

I am so glad that these great athletes remember that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father..." (James 1:17). And I am thankful that they use their gifts to bring glory to God.

What is your gift? What ability has God blessed you with? If He gave you a talent, He means for you to use it. How will you use your talents for God?