Old Testament
Proverbs 27:17
17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
Common Good
Honouring God Through Sportsmanship
Scripture References
Read FirstNew Testament
Colossians 3:17-24
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.
Read 5 more verses
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Thought for the Day
Proverbs offers a small, hard image: iron sharpens iron. We are formed by contact. The people we train with, the voices we listen to, the standards we accept, the jokes we repeat, the losses we blame on others. Over time, we are being honed.
Sportsmanship is one place this integrity shows itself. The way we win, the way we lose, the way we speak to officials, the way we treat opponents, the way we respond to mistakes. A match can become a school for the soul.
Show 124 more words
Colossians draws the circle wider: whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks. Even work done under imperfect authority is to be done “from the heart”, not as theatre but as worship. That is not a command to accept injustice quietly. It is a call to integrity: to live as God’s people even when no one is applauding.
Lord Jesus, sharpen us well. Give us companions who make us truer, not harder; braver, not cruel. Teach us gratitude rather than entitlement, and courage rather than swagger. Guard our play from cheating, rage, and contempt. And make our conduct neighbourly: so that those beside us, whether teammate or opponent, are treated as people you made and people you love.
Prayer Points
Respond- Give fair play and gentle strength to all who compete, especially children and young people.
- Protect sport from cheating, corruption, and cruelty; cultivate truthfulness and respect.
- Bless referees and officials with courage, steadiness, and protection from abuse.
Show 2 more prayer points
- Give us friends and mentors who shape our character toward Christ.
- Teach us to treat opponents as neighbours, and to bear victory or defeat with humility.