5 Ways You Can Encourage Kids to Play for God’s Team

Do you wish kids were as passionate about the church as their local sports teams? Here are 5 ways kids can play for God’s team. 

Any football fans out there? It’s true that the enthusiasm can be taken too far…but with the right attitude, I’ve always found Super Bowl Sunday to be a time for fun and fellowship…and, of course, food. In the past, I’ve mainly watched the commercials, but this year is a little different.

Since moving to Colorado, I’ve started pulling for the Denver Broncos. Everywhere I go, I see the phrase “United in orange.” It’s a community; fans bonded together through a shared allegiance, players, and coaching staff…all united.

How I wish we could ignite a passionate fire for God in our kids like that! United for God. Our kids need to know that they can be a part of God’s team and that there are many different ways they can contribute. Looking at  1 Peter 4:10-11 and  1 Corinthians 12:4-12 for inspiration, here are five ways kids can play for God’s team!

5 Ways You Can Encourage Kids to Play for God’s Team

1. Coach

Some people have the gift of leadership. They have the God-given ability to cast vision, motivate, and direct people to harmoniously accomplish the purposes of God. Kids who demonstrate this gift of leadership will be good at communicating and coming up with plans. Let them use their gift by heading up a service project.

2. Cheer Squad

Who doesn’t need a support team from time to time? Some people have the gift of encouragement, the God-given ability to offer words of comfort and consolation so as to strengthen or urge to action those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith. Let kids in your ministry who demonstrate this gift take part in reaching out to members of your church who haven’t visited in a while or are having a hard time.

3. Players

Some kids are doers; you can tell who they are. As soon as your message is over, they’re ready to get out into the world and put into action what they just discovered. These helpers have the God-given ability to accomplish practical and necessary behind-the-scenes tasks, which frees up, supports, and meets the needs of others. Invite these kids to help you set up or clean up after church, and give them specific challenges to meet during the week.

4. Recruiters

We need to get people to join the team, and that’s where the evangelism gift comes in…the God-given ability to effectively communicate the gospel to nonbelievers so they respond in faith and move toward discipleship. Challenge kids who show this kind of gift to start sharing about Jesus everywhere they go.

5. The Fan in the Stands Praying for the Last-Minute Score

Okay, maybe a stretch to fit in with my football theme here, but some kids are, simply put, prayer warriors. These kids have the gift of intercession, the God-given ability to consistently pray on behalf of and for others, seeing frequent and specific results. These kids are often eager to pray during lessons and will often have a clear relationship with God. If you have any of these kids on your team, consider starting up simple prayer team and letting them be in charge of jotting down prayer requests.