In the third in our series on sport Jonny Reid helps Christian parents make good use of their time as spectators
Every Sunday morning, thousands of parents gather on the sidelines of children’s sports fields across the country. Some stand quietly with their coffee; others make small talk while the game unfolds. Earlier in the week, many are already at swimming pools before sunrise, watching through glass panels or sitting in cafés while their children train. For those in more competitive or elite pathways, weekends are spent travelling to competitions – families packed into cars, clocking up hours together, waiting and watching.
In Jesus’ final command to his disciples – often called the Great Commission – he told them to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). The word Jesus used was ethne, meaning people groups or cultures. While we don’t want to push the idea too far, your child’s sporting network can be thought of as a kind of people group: a shared culture, a community with its own rhythms, pressures, and language. One parent, Ian, put it like this: “Sport gives us this incredible context to share life and the good news of Jesus with other parents in the most normal and natural way.”
The sidelines are more than just a place to wait—they’re a mission field
We’ve already explored how our primary role as Christian parents is to lead our children toward God and keep him central—even in their sport. But what about the other parents, the coaches, the teammates? What about our witness in this unique space? Will we be those who go to the people around us?
If your answer is “yes” but you’re unsure how to begin, Paul’s letter to the Colossians offers a helpful and practical framework. It’s simple and memorable: Pray, Play (or Watch), and Say.
Pray
In our last blog, we explored the deep security we and our children have as God’s children. Because of this, we pray to “our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9), knowing he’s in full control.
Sharing our faith starts with prayer. Paul writes, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). Sportspeople understand devotion—and the same kind of commitment should mark our prayers. Paul urges us to be persistent, to watch for opportunities, and to be thankful. This act of thanksgiving can also prepare us for our speech and conduct with other parents, in what can often be an environment marked by complaints and comparisons.
Paul even asks the Colossians to pray specifically: “that God may open a door for our message… Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (vv. 3–4). In the same way, we can ask others to pray for us as we stand on the sidelines. And we can pray for ourselves – especially on those rainy, muddy mornings.
Play (or spectate)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (v. 5)
Let’s pause here. It’s not always easy to be a Christian parent on the sidelines. The culture can be competitive, critical, and emotionally charged. Whether it’s complaints about the coach, gossip about other children, or the temptation to boast or compare, the challenges are real—especially when it comes to our speech.
Evangelist Sam Chan says, “What we say is important. But the more closely someone knows us, the more they will be persuaded by our way of life rather than merely by what we say.” Our conduct – how we cheer, how we speak, how we react—can be deeply distinctive.
That distinctiveness also shows when we get it wrong. A humble apology for an outburst or a moment of pride speaks volumes. Equally, when we choose to build friendships, speak positively, and serve behind the scenes without complaint, we show the grace of Christ in action.
Read more:
Why God invented the game: Five faith‑filled reasons sport matters to your family
How to raise children who know they are loved by God - and you - even when they don’t “perform”
Say
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (v. 6)
Our words on the sidelines can be surprisingly powerful. Speaking well of the coach, the club, or other players can feel countercultural—and open doors to deeper conversations. In everyday chats about the game or family life, there are countless natural moments to speak about Jesus.
Still, for many of us, this doesn’t come easily. One helpful mental framework is this:
- Your news – Ask others about their lives, families, jobs, and hobbies. Show genuine interest. As friendships deepen, they’ll likely ask about your life, too.
- My news – When they do, look for simple, authentic ways to talk about your church or your faith. Share what following Jesus means to you.
- Good news – As trust grows, you may have opportunities to gently share more about the gospel itself.
- Be intentional—invite families to church events, share lifts to matches, eat together before or after games, or simply open your home.
Gaynor, a mum of several sporty children, shares how one friendship began during her son’s training session. Chatting with another parent, they discovered they were both preparing for the same half marathon. They started running together, and as the friendship developed, faith naturally entered the conversation: “We built a friendship and ended up just talking about all sorts of things, sharing our lives, including talking about us being a Christian family and our priorities.”
Pray, play (or watch), say
A simple, biblical framework for a powerful opportunity. The sidelines are more than just a place to wait—they’re a mission field.
