Finding Gentless in Sports

Finding Gentless in Sports

Christian coaches and athletes experience significant spiritual growth and trans- formation, referred to as “fruit” in the Bible. This comparison to fruit-bearing is fitting as these changes reflect the work of God’s Spirit within us, producing new behaviors and attitudes. The ultimate goal of this transformation is to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. This transformation is so significant that it is compared to a rebirth, affecting our motivations, curbing sinful habits, and initiating new, righteous ones that will last a lifetime. The Fruit of the Spirit Series explores these changes more thoroughly through its nine-book study series.

Gentleness may be one of the most misunderstood words in modern-day language. It isn’t meek, timid, weak, or passive. It is selfless love, exhibiting power under control. Gentle coaches and athletes are calm, cool, and collected when facing challenging situations. Their persuasive, well-thought-out words are sincere, bold, and decisive. Gentle people are physically, mentally, and spiritually tough. Their gentleness is displayed with vulnerability, humility, sincerity, gladness, gratefulness, and thankfulness.

ROD HANDLEY is the former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He is currently the Founder and President of Character That Counts. He is a popular retreat and banquet speaker with men’s and women’s groups, singles, and married. Rod has published over thirty books, including Character Counts—Who’s Counting Yours?, which details how to begin being accountable to one another.

GORDON THIESSEN has published or written more than three hundred books on sports and competition. He founded Cross Training Publishing to provide resources for Christian coaches and athletes. Gordon served 28 years with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Nebraska. You can find his videos and Bible studies at cross- trainingpublishing.com.

RON BROWN is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions member and a former Nebraska FCA Director. Ron is a longtime assistant football coach for the University of Nebraska football team. He spent 24 seasons as an assistant coach at Nebraska when they won three national championships. You can find his videos and Bible studies at kingdomsports.online.