A Theological Treatise for Hosting a Super Bowl Party at Church

Author's Note: The following was my journal entry for our church bulletin on January 9, 2005 in preparation for the Super Bowl Outreach at our church on February 6, 2005.

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."

1 Corinthians 9:22

Okay, this journal entry isn't that formal, so please don't be afraid to continue reading...

It is that time of year again for me to become a football fanatic!

No, I can't really say that I have even watched one entire football game this past season, though I do enjoy the background sound of having a game on the television while I work on something else -- like a nap.

However, since the Super Bowl is the most watched television event of the year, I am going to do what the Apostle Paul did in times like these: he¹ became a fanatic so that he could hangout with other fanatics -- and to then take every opportunity in the moment to plant the seeds of the gospel.

Okay, so they didn't have football back then, but they did have sports.  Paul used quite a few athletic analogies in his writings, so he no doubt attended enough events to gain a good understanding of what made a runner², a boxer³, and a wrestler⁴ a champion in their respective sports.

He used the analogies of sports in his writing ministry (and no doubt in his preaching ministry as well) because he knew that his audience understood the finer points of these sporting events.  All that to say: he spoke the language of a sports fan to reach sports fans!

Last year the Lord spoke to my heart and said that the Spirit of Evangelism had been released in our church.  (If you recall I then spoke on the topic in September).  And, as we know, God wants His people to accommodate (to work with) the working of His Holy Spirit to the best of our abilities -- in the church, in the market place, and in the home.

The first Sunday of February will be Super Bowl Sunday.  Every football fanatic will be looking for a place to watch the game, and to enjoy the company of some great people around them.  Let me just say, you(!) are one of those great people that can provide great company to some football fanatics who will be attending our Super Bowl event here at the church!

Whether you are a football fanatic or not, please prayerfully consider making this a day where you come here to the church for the sole purpose (or, "soul" purpose!) of mingling with our Super Bowl guests.  Consider purposefully and strategically putting yourself in this situation where you can plant the seeds of the gospel -- either in word or in deed.

There will be a lot of things going on here that day, even for people who will not be watching the big game.  There will be organized fun things for kids, and there will be some craft fun for those ladies who would rather not watch the game.  Whatever the setting, you can be there, and you can begin to make the difference in someone's life just by spending time with them.

This Super Bowl event will be family (and Christ!) friendly.  The commercials and the halftime show will be filtered out, and the environment will lend itself to pure football and great fellowship.  Our guests will already know that we are a church, and they will no doubt experience our godly example and our loving hospitality.

See you at the altar as we together pray and prepare for this one-of-many opportunities this year to love and reach others for Christ in harmony with His Spirit of Evangelism.

Notes & References

1. 1 Corinthians 9:22
2. 1 Corinthians 9:24 / Galatians 2:2; 5:7 / Philippians 2:16 / Hebrews 12:1
3. 1 Corinthians 9:26
4. Ephesians 6:12 (see KJV for lit. interpret.)