Athletics
Since “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 Timothy 4:8) the OBA sports community will seek the greater good of biblical integration in each sport by training our student athletes in the following Christlike character traits listed below:
Perseverance/Endurance “…..because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. James 1:3-4 “….let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles us and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
Humility… “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others more significant than yourselves. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a ting to b grasped. But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant being born in the in the likeness of men and being found in human form he humbled himself becoming obedient to death even death on a cross.” Phil 2:3-8
Faithfulness/Diligence… “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things now I will put you in charge of many things; come share your master’s happiness ” Matt. 25:21 “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 6:11
Self Discipline… “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 myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24-27 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Cooperative Spirit… Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6 OBA expects that student athletes who develop these Christ life character traits will pursue intentional excellence, value the group over the individual, and application of Christlike traits toward their spiritual disciplines, church and family.