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10 Bible Verses to Encourage Your Student Athlete

Are you a volleyball, football, or golf mom? 

You might be a cheerleader or cross-country runner mom.

No matter what sport(s) our student-athletes participate in, they all need little doses of encouragement along the way.

My son’s football practice will soon start at 6:30 am followed by a long day of school.

The earliest that I will get to see him will be 4:30 pm.  During those long hours, a lot of life takes place and sometimes they need a little pick-me-up.

How can I encourage him and fill his soul with the truth?  

With little nuggets of truth from the Bible!

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No matter what sport(s) our student-athletes participate in, they all need little doses of encouragement along the way. Share on X

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I’ve put together a list of a few verses that I can share with him during the upcoming football season.

I know these few verses will motivate and encourage him just when he needs it most.  

Do you have certain verses that you share with your children during specific times they might be going through?  

Please share them with me so that I can add them to my list! 

You’ll notice a couple of verses from both the New International Version and The Message – I love the way The Message translates some of the verses so I had to include both!

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Do you have certain verses that you share with your children during specific times they might be going through? Share on X

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10 Bible Verses to Encourage Your Student Athlete: Verse One – Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The Message translation:

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.

Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

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Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Share on X

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Verse 2 – 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

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Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. Share on X

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Verse 3 – Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Share on X

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10 Bible Verses to Encourage Your Student Athlete: Verse 4 – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize.

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Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize. Share on X

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The Message translation:

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it, and then missing out myself.

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Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. Share on X

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Verse 5 – Deuteronomy 31:6 (MSG)

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”

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Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Share on X

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10 Bible Verses to Encourage Your Student Athlete: Verse 6 – Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

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But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Share on X

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Verse 7 – Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Share on X

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Verse 8 – Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Share on X

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Verse 9 – Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Share on X

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The Message translation:

Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.

Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.

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Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Share on X

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Verse 10 – 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

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So, how can we incorporate these verses into their everyday life?

• Use a dry-erase marker and write on his/her mirror.
• Jot a note and taped it to the back of their school ID.
• Put a sticky note in their binder/spiral*And, the obvious – you can always send them a text!

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Do you have special ways that you like to encourage and motivate your student-athlete?

I would love to hear ideas of what other moms do to let their kiddos know they are thinking about them.  

The older they get the harder this becomes so I need extra help in this department!

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Want more parenting encouragement?

THE DANGER OF NOT SHEPHERDING A CHILD’S HEART

TIPS FOR PARENTING ADULT CHILDREN WITH GRACE

HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT JESUS (AT ANY AGE)

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR KIDS – AT ANY AGE

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About the Author:

Howdy, I’m Holly!  (I don’t go around saying “howdy” – it’s just an Aggie thing!)  I was born and raised in the piney woods of East Texas but have lived in Aggieland for over 20 years. I’ve lived here longer than I’ve ever lived any place else – it’s home and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!

I’m been married to Mike for the past seventeen-plus years and we have three kiddos – Colby, Holden, and Hope.  I’m a stay-at-home mom which is funny since I’m hardly ever home!

Let’s see – I love God, my family, my friends, chocolate, chips & queso, college football, sleeping late, crafting, making people smile, planning events, volunteering, online shopping, Target, Chick-fil-A, and road trips – just to name a few!

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