The Scottsdale Christian Academy Athletic Department seeks to develop a culture where student-athletes and coaches pursue maximum potential while competing and leading in a Christ-honoring way.
Competing Biblically
Competing Biblically in its most simple terms is a philosophy. It’s a way to play, a way to coach, or even a way to spectate. More specifically, competing Biblically is a philosophy that integrates sports and faith, and it does so with the goal of glorifying God and advancing the gospel to the world through athletic competition.
“To By For”
The philosophy of Competing Biblically is part of the broader "To By For" concept, which is competing according to the word of God, by the power of God, and for the glory of God. Understanding this principle is critical in competing Biblically because it establishes the foundation of how this philosophy is implemented.
- When you compete according to the word of God, scripture becomes the filter for how you view and approach competition.
- Understanding the idea that you cannot implement the principles of Competing Biblically alone is vital. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to compete Biblically. If we aren’t driven by the power of God, through the Holy Spirit, then our philosophy in action will be fractured or flawed
- Competing Biblically is centered on the aim of glorifying God through our style of competition, which entails giving priority to His will and His glory in the way that we prepare, practice, and play.
Three Pillars of Competing Biblically
Kingdom Over Scoreboard
By adopting the philosophy of Competing Biblically, we can learn to think differently, viewing our sport and life through the lens of God's word, and seeking to bring him glory instead of pursuing our own. Another way of saying this is that we put an emphasis on the Kingdom of God rather than scoreboard. Ultimately, competing biblically is not something that we do, but it is someone we become. It is the outward expression of an inner transformation. Winning is a secondary goal. What truly matters is the effort we put forth and the mindset we embrace, for our approach to competition is the means through which we can honor God through sport. Consequently, winning is something that often happens with this philosophy because it emphasizes glorifying God through giving our maximum effort in preparation, practice, and our performance.
Play Free
In the world of sports, intense pressure often accompanies critical moments.These moments can define athletes, in the eyes of the world, as either clutch performers or those who crumble under the weight of pressure. However, our true identity is not determined by athletic performance but by our faith in Jesus. It is not who we are, but who's we are. The Bible tells us who we are when we are in Christ Jesus:
- A child of God (John 1:12)
- Loved (1 John 4:19)
- Wonderfully Made (Psalm 139:14)
- Filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)
- More than a Conqueror (Romans 8:37)
- Never Alone (Joshua 1:9)
- Forgiven (Acts 13:39)
- Empowered (Ephesians 3:16)
- Redeemed (1 Peter 1:18-19)
- Transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Equipped (2 Timothy 3:17)
- Chosen (Colossians 3:12)
- Free (Galatians 5:1)
By embracing this identity, athletes can play free, unburdened by fear of failure, as they understand that their worth is not contingent on their performance but on their relationship with God, allowing them to rise above external and internal pressures in athletic competition.
Strive With
