Question:
I guess I'm looking for some advice, so I'll put this here.
I coach a youth sport. A year-round sport at that. Don't really know if that matters, but anyway. I've been struggling recently with what kind of principles I'm trying to instill in my boys. Principles like personal motivation and hard work and the idea that if they practice really hard and work at it, they can achieve geat things.
Now that sounds very positive, but I'm worried that it leans too closely on the humanist side. I feel like it's getting close to glorifying human potential beyond what I should as a Christian.
It should also be known that I do not coach in a Christian setting where I am allowed (or even encouraged) to specifically witness (by specifically I mean I can obviously still witness with my lifestyle, but you know what I mean).
So my question is: Am I trying to instill values that promote the humanist viewpoint of life? Or is it religiously practical for me to be trying to turn these boys into hard-working and self-disciplined young men?
Please set my logic straight as I think that my mind is just clouded lately. Also with any response I would appreciate it if you stated any experience you would have in coaching, or parenting for that matter. Thanks a ton!
Answer:
Originally Posted by domnastics I guess I'm looking for some advice, so I'll put this here.
I coach a youth sport. A year-round sport at that. Don't really know if that matters, but anyway. I've been struggling recently with what kind of principles I'm trying to instill in my boys. Principles like personal motivation and hard work and the idea that if they practice really hard and work at it, they can achieve geat things.
Now that sounds very positive, but I'm worried that it leans too closely on the humanist side. I feel like it's getting close to glorifying human potential beyond what I should as a Christian. Nope, you're not instilling humanist principles that conflict with the bible. Humanist principles that would conflict with the bible would be something like you can do anything you set your mind to. Not only is that garbage, but it's putting the practicioner in God's place.
My view has always been that God gives us our strength, our intellect, and our hearts to be used as fully as possible while still acknowledging God's work and God's place to carry us further than we could otherwise go. Coaching the benefits of hard work, motivation, and drive build boys up to be, at least in part, men (responsibility and wisdom would be the other parts). Personally, I can see God's strength so much more clearly after I've pushed myself to my limit, but I would never know what that was if I didn't have the determination, the motivation, and the work ethic to get there.
EDIT: pardon, I forgot to add my experience: I was a camp counselor for one summer (grades 4-12) and led daycamp groups for kids grades 1-6.
Answer:
I don't see a problem with it at all, because like OctaviousIII mentioned, you aren't teaching anything that goes against the Bible... and God knows that kids need all the positive roles models they can get these days. It's amazing how few of these children develop personal motivation and responsibility, and I think that teaching them these things will help their self esteem which also seems to be desperately needed...
btw, I'm assuming you coach gymnastics which of course is one of the two greatest sports in the whole world
Oops, also forgot to add experience... used to coach kids as well
Answer:
Originally Posted by BelovedOne
btw, I'm assuming you coach gymnastics which of course is one of the two greatest sports in the whole world
Oops, also forgot to add experience... used to coach kids as well
Yes I do. And you are definitely right about it being the greatest. Thanks again to both of you.