The Christian Athlete - by Brian Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

The Christian Athlete is a gospel-centered guide that assists athletes who identify as Christians and are seeking to understand how to practically apply their faith to their sport.

Book Synopsis

The Christian Athlete provides sports discipleship & faith-based sports training to athletes of all types looking to up their game in their identity with Christ.

Athletes desire--and deserve--a more substantive expression of the Christian faith in the context of sport, but they don't know what it looks like or where to turn to learn more.

Author Brian Smith shares his story as an athlete and coach, and his experience working with high-level athletes in the last decade to help readers better understand how to integrate faith through:

• A GOSPEL-CENTERED GUIDE FOR CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - The Christian Athlete helps athletes integrate faith and sports, showing how to live boldly for Christ both in competition and in everyday life.
• PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN SPORTS DISCIPLESHIP - Written by athlete and coach Brian Smith, this book equips readers to apply biblical truth to sports, training, teamwork, leadership, and personal growth.
• HELPING NAVIGATE PRESSURE, PERFORMANCE & IDENTITY - Learn how to handle winning, losing, injuries, pressure, and competition through a biblical perspective that keeps identity rooted in Christ instead of performance.
• MOVING BEYOND CLICHÉS TO AUTHENTIC FAITH - This encouraging resource challenges athletes to live out their faith with purpose and conviction, both on the field and in everyday relationships and decisions.
• PROVIDING A RESOURCE PERFECT FOR ATHLETES, COACHES & SPORTS MINISTRIES - A valuable resource for Christian athletes, coaches, parents, and team leaders seeking faith-based guidance for sports, character development, and spiritual maturity

The Christian Athlete will show readers how to live out a biblical perspective on athletics and urge them to engage in the gifts they are given to glorify God whether they are the team MVP or riding the bench.

Review Quotes

"Brian is contributing much needed biblical understanding to one of the most powerful, culture-shaping mediums in the world--sports and competition. For the athletes and coaches who allow this content to help them integrate faith and sport, their athletic experience will be greatly enhanced!"--Mark Householder, president of Athletes in Action

"For thirty-three seasons as the Detroit Lions chaplain (I know ... lots of losses), I worked with hundreds of athletes who were all asking, 'How do I apply my faith on the field?' I wish I'd had this book. Brian lays out a comprehensive vision of how God wants to work in and through the athlete who is committed to Him. This is a vision we all need for life on and off the field."--Dave Wilson, cohost of Family Life Today, former Detroit Lions chaplain

"One of the things I love about Brian's writing is that it comes from years of experience as an athlete and a minister to and with athletes. In this book, Brian draws on that experience to provide a thoughtful and practical guide to the questions, concerns, and issues that many Christian athletes wrestle with as they try to live out their faith in sports. The Christian Athlete is an excellent addition to the growing conversation on Christian engagement with sports, useful for both athletes and those who work with them."--Paul Putz, PhD, assistant director of the Faith & Sports Institute

"This is the best book I have read in the realm of sports and faith. Brian does a masterful job of drawing us closer to our King in the context of our athletic endeavors. Our culture is in desperate need of a book like this, as we as believers so often fail to integrate our faith into sports. This should be a required read for any Christian athlete, coach, or administrator who is seeking to glorify God through sports."--Dr. Tim Sceggel, director of athletics and professor at Covenant College

About the Author

Brian Smith ran track and cross-country at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a Communications and Journalism degree. After two years of coaching track at the college level, he turned to working with Athletes in Action. For the past 10 years he has been helping athletes and coaches live biblically at the intersection of faith and sport through his website, thechristianathlete.com.