Finding Love in Sports

Christians who are coaches and athletes experience significant spiritual growth and transformation, 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 in more detail through its nine book study series.

Love profoundly impacts Christian athletes and coaches in sports, shaping their character, relationships, and approach to competition. Properly understood, love allows competitors to see their opponents as something more than mere rivals.

Instead of seeking personal glory or dwelling on defeat, they approach victories and setbacks with humility and gratitude. Love teaches them to celebrate the achievements of others, to forgive mistakes, and to persevere in the face of challenges.

ROD HANDLEY is the former Chief Operating Officer & 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 the process of 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 crosstrainingpublishing.com.

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