"there has only ever been one perfect man, the Lord Jesus, and we killed him. I only missed a putt."
Spiritual Game Plan
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Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid, The Good Book Company, 2025
There is a lot that is good in Spiritual Game Plan in terms of setting out a Christian approach to sport. At the outset I have to declare an interest. I have co-authored a book Born to Play with Graham Daniels, which, in some ways, was a prototype for this book. I've also written a book and some articles in this area myself.
Don't be put off by the rather formal title, this is a practical down to earth book by two people who love sport and want to engage with it Christianly. I love some of the pithy statements early in the book as the authors set the scene: “sport brings out our God-given creativity… sport is a gift from God to bring pleasure and joy… sport was made to give us joy... The Christian can take more delight, not less, in their sport than anyone else…sport is something God cares about”.
The book releases Christians from any guilt about loving sport and shows us rather that the world of sport is a mission field, an unreached people group and calls us to make sport our mission by engaging in our team or club as a Christian in sport, and “not leaving our Christianity in the changing room”. I have known Graham for over 40 years and there is no one I know who does it better. This is no theoretical thesis but wisdom and ideas distilled from experience.
The chapter on being a Christian sports fan is ground-breaking. Only Rob Ellis in Games people pray has, to my knowledge addressed the issue. The idea of going to watch the lads, having prayed in advance – not for a home win but to be alert to mission opportunities – can transform an obsession into an evangelistic opportunity. It is not about having an altar-call in the west stand but about being ready “to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”. Whether watching in the stands, travelling on the supporters’ bus or going for a drink after the game, the challenge remains: “live wisely, actively looking for opportunities to show the difference Jesus makes”.
Similarly the chapter “A word for parents” is unique in my experience. As a parent for 2 children who each played for the county in two sports, I know about the challenges of time management, feeling like an unpaid taxi driver etc. Yet to be part of one’s children’s sports life is an immense privilege. The statement that sport teaches children how to lose took me back to a boys’ football match which we lost. The boys were laughing and joking on the journey home, the adults as miserable as sin about the result! Someone needed to learn how to lose! Being a sport-parent is great challenge in many unprepared families, the guidance in the book is very welcome. The suggestion that parents should praise character more than talent is a gem. I loved too the suggestions about being intentional in developing relationships with other parents with whom you watch games.
For adults, the challenge to look for ways to serve your club is excellent whether by volunteering to wash the shirts, serve on the committee, mark out the pitch, pump up the balls etc. I recall missing church to rake leaves off the pitch before my son’s game – and being 100% sure that I had got my priorities right. Service creates missional opportunities.
I found the chapter on Sunday sport weak and a bit muddled. This is a massive issue for many Christian families as more and more sport – especially youth sport – takes place on Sunday. The authors refer the 4th commandment which prohibited work on the sabbath. If the commandment is still relevant then there may be a problem for the professional, whose sport is work, but surely is fine for the amateur who is playing and recreating - not working. Perversely the authors suggest that it is OK for the professional to compete (work) on Sunday but perhaps not the amateur. I was not clear if the authors see an issue with Sunday sport per se or the issue is just a potential clash between church and sport be it on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. The four questions to use to test your commitment to God v sport in relation to Sunday seemed in danger of guilt-tripping.
I also believe strongly that churches too that have a role to play. If a church wants to have a service aimed at university students, it would not be wise to hold it at 9.00am on a Sunday morning – similarly if most youth sport is on a Sunday morning, that may not be the best time for the church youth programme.
A few places I felt that the authors overstated their case, adopted extreme positions or looked for black and white answers to questions which are better left flexibly grey. For example “sport is a gift from God that can bring us joy, and yet, when we allow it to become our God, the joy disappears and it becomes meaningless”.
The is no doubt in my mind that sport and our ability to enjoy it is part of God’s creation. I wondered if that simple truth was in danger of being undermined by the authors’ apparent belief in a rather literal interpretation of Genesis.
Overall an excellent book which will help you to navigate your involvement in the world of sport as a Christian.
PS The book says that we should thank God for giving us rain – not sure the cricketers would agree!