Being a Christian sports player or spectator

THE GOOD SPORTING LIFE:
Loving and playing sport as a follower of Jesus
By Stephen Liggins
Mathias Media. 240 pages. £8.99
ISBN 978 1 925 424 645

The Good Sporting Life brings a helpful practical guide to Christians involved in the world of sport, whether that be players, coaches, parents, or spectators.

The book provides a very thorough overview of what the Bible says about sport and helps the reader to navigate some of the common questions people have regarding their involvement with sport, including whether Christians should be competitive, and the topic of sport on a Sunday. Though there is much said in the Sabbatarian/Lord’s Day debate, and Liggins has his opinions, he does a good job in recognising that sport should never be prioritised over meeting with ‘God’s people for Bible teaching, prayer and fellowship’.

Navigating the world of sport

As a retired rugby player, this is a book that would have been of enormous value to me had I been able to read it when playing. Liggins leaves no stone unturned in providing a practical guide for navigating the world of sport. Not least the vast breadth of testimonies he’s recorded from professional sports men and women, which was a great encouragement and reminds the reader that they are never the only Christian participating in sport, even if they are the only one at their club.

As a student worker and coach of the local university women’s rugby team I always take a keen interest in supporting students playing sport, given how much of the darker side of sport I see in my coaching role. It’s brilliant to know that I can recommend this book as a resource.

It’s quite long, so it might be that I reference specific chapters for the student to read first, but it’s great to be confident that, in putting this book in their hands, it’s a source of guidance that will help them to love their sport and their teammates more and to glorify God as they play.