Athletics offer more than just physical benefits—they provide a unique foundation for growth in faith, family, and personal formation. The Bible and Church teaching reveal that virtues such as discipline, humility, and perseverance, nurtured through sports, contribute to holistic development. Athletics teach these virtues, shaping stronger character, fostering deeper family connections, and reinforcing a commitment to faith.
Faith: Discipline and Humility Through Sports
The Bible frequently uses athletic imagery to convey the need for perseverance in faith. St. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 liken spiritual growth to an athlete’s disciplined training: “Run in such a way as to get the prize… I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ESV). Athletics teach us discipline and humility, essential virtues in a faith-centered life. They encourage a focus on personal effort over external reward, echoing St. Paul’s focus on an “imperishable crown”—the eternal reward of salvation.
The Rule of St. Benedict complements this perspective by emphasizing humility and obedience. It encourages self-discipline and commitment to higher values, a lifestyle that aligns with the rigorous training and dedication in athletics. By treating our bodies as “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19, ESV), we can honor God through sports and physical stewardship. Athletes and coaches who intertwine spirituality with sports create an environment where faith becomes the cornerstone of every victory and every defeat, reinforcing a life of purpose and gratitude.
Family: Strengthening Bonds and Values
Sports provide families with a unique opportunity to grow together, especially strengthening the father-child bond. When approached with humility and love, athletics foster respect, teamwork, and mutual encouragement. Fathers who play or support their children’s athletic endeavors can instill values like resilience and ethical competition, mirroring the principles found in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, NIV).
However, this influence must be guided by humility, not pride or avarice. An unwise father can poison his children’s love for sports and fitness by invoking too much pride and avarice into their athletics. The Rule of St. Benedict places great importance on community and respect, values that find natural expression in family sports. This community spirit mirrors the team dynamic in athletics, where each member works toward a greater purpose. Families that participate in sports together create a powerful sense of unity, reinforcing the call for humility, cooperation, and selflessness, which can fortify relationships and nurture shared values.
Team sports, in particular, deepen this journey by fostering values like teamwork, respectful competition, and community. Working with teammates requires athletes to prioritize collective goals over individual gain, aligning well with virtues found in faith and family. This collaborative spirit develops empathy and a sense of responsibility, as players learn that true success involves lifting others up and contributing to something greater than themselves.
Moreover, the competitive aspect of sports challenges individuals to strive for excellence, not merely as personal triumph but as a testament to discipline and commitment. In a supportive community, this competition becomes an avenue for mutual encouragement and personal growth. By pursuing goals together, teams build bonds that reflect unity, resilience, and shared purpose—values that extend into family and faith and reinforce character formation rooted in humility, dedication, and love.
Formation: Building Character Through Athletics
Athletics also play a significant role in individual formation, building virtues like resilience, patience, and ethical integrity. James 1:12 captures this journey: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12, NIV). Sports present challenges that teach athletes to navigate setbacks and find meaning in their journey, rather than fixating on the outcome. Essentially, we learn best from our loses not our wins.
St. Benedict’s Rule similarly encourages self-improvement through humility, prayer, and discipline, reflecting how sports can lead to inner growth beyond physical achievement. Athletes who embrace these principles become less focused on superficial glory and more dedicated to self-discovery, seeing sports as a journey to cultivate virtues that extend beyond the game. In alignment with the Rule, sports become a training ground for spiritual resilience, patience, and humility, encouraging athletes to aim for a higher purpose than just winning.
Athletics as a Path to Holistic Development
When integrated with faith, family, and formation, athletics offer a powerful path to holistic growth. Through sports, individuals can cultivate virtues that deepen their faith, strengthen family connections, and support lifelong character formation. Just as our faith fosters humility, discipline, and community, so too does athletics provide a way to glorify God through physical and spiritual excellence.
In a world where achievement is often measured by titles and trophies, athletics presents a profound opportunity to refocus on the values that truly matter—faith, family, and character. Embracing sports with a perspective rooted in humility and purpose allows us to pursue goals that honor not just personal success but also communal and spiritual growth. In this light, athletics become an avenue through which we live out the virtues of patience, perseverance, and integrity, as encouraged by both scripture and Church teaching, at their best, remind us that our ultimate victory is not in the scoreboard but in the person, we become and the lives we impact through our example.
As we engage in or encourage sports participation in our families and communities, we have an incredible chance to guide ourselves and others toward a holistic understanding of success—one that elevates personal formation, strengthens family bonds, and reinforces our faith. Let us approach athletics as a sacred space, where physical discipline and moral strength meet, creating a legacy that extends beyond accolades to inspire others. Embracing this perspective can transform not only how we play the game but also how we live our lives, reminding us that in all things, we “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
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This is Dr. Currie Myers. I am an applied criminologist and criminal justice ethicist. I have been on faculty in the criminology department at Benedictine College for over 13 years and was a career law enforcement officer for 24 years. Most importantly I have a beautiful family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years and we have five children and 10 grandchildren. You can view my work on applied criminology at drcurriemyers.substack.com. Have a great and blessed week and please subscribe and share this podcast with others. And more importantly, if you are struggling in life and need someone to talk to, we have a chat function that you can contact me directly. And if you wish for me to speak at one of your events, please contact (catholicspeakers.com) to schedule.
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