In the game of basketball, our goal is to win each and every game ("...my people perish for lack of a vision..."). However, true value is not found in winning every game. True value is demonstrating to others our Christian walk and the changes that have occurred in the lives of the players, coaches, & managers as we demonstrate our enhanced God-given skills, discipline, & compassion. Timothy wrote to us in I Tim 4;7,8: ..."Train yourself to be Godly. 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."...

I. Every athlete who plays the game should discipline his mind and body for rigorous competition: In I Corinthians 9:24-27, we find: "...I beat my body into submission...Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training..."...

II. Every player should practice and play to win. Paul wrote in I Cor 9:27: ..."Run in such a way as to get the prize..."...

III. Every athlete should show respect for authority. Romans 13:1,2: "...Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established..." Respect authority, and in so doing, demonstrate your obedience to, reverence for, and love for God.

IV. Every athlete should strive for purity of mind and body. ..."...I will set no evil before my eyes..." No Pornography (X-rated magazines and movies), drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, nor premarital sex should have place in the life of the high school, college, or professional athlete. Most people who drink alcohol say they are just "social drinkers". If that were true, we would not have 6.8 million binge drinkers, and 2.1 million alcoholics under the age of 21. In the USA, we have 76 million families with at least one alcoholic. "Social drinking" is a joke. Do not drink, and do not associate with those who do. King David wrote: "...I have made my companions from those who have kept thy commandments...". Instead of partaking in any of these evils, we should as is written in II Corinthians 7:1: ..."purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."...

V. Every athlete should be an example to other Christian athletes: I Tim 4:12 "...be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity...give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...".