I’m Kayla. I played midfield in high school. Now I coach a scrappy U14 squad and run 5Ks on weekends. I’ve bought a few “Bible quotes for sports” things over the years—an FCA Athlete’s Bible, a pocket verse set I taped inside a gear bag, and a couple of YouVersion athlete reading plans.
For the complete backstory on how I road-tested those resources with real middle-schoolers, I put together this play-by-play write-up.
What I used and how I used it
- On game days, I’d text one verse to parents and players.
- In practice, we’d pick one theme for the week: grit, focus, or mercy after a rough foul.
- During my ankle rehab, I kept a verse on a sticky note by the ice pack. Real classy.
I mostly used ESV, since our church does. But I’m not picky if the point lands.
The verses that actually hit home
These ones felt made for the field. They’re not about sports only. But they sure fit.
-
1 Corinthians 9:24 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
This helped our kids play bold. Not dirty. Just brave. -
1 Corinthians 9:25 — “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.”
We talked about food, sleep, screens, and yes, talking back to refs. -
2 Timothy 2:5 — “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
Great for the “no cheap shots” speech. Clear. Calm. Firm. -
Hebrews 12:1 — “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Perfect for the last 10 minutes when legs feel like wet noodles. -
Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I use this for courage, not for “we’ll win no matter what.” Big difference. -
Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Helps when a kid sits on the bench. Your work still matters. -
Isaiah 40:31 — “They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
I read this when one of our girls came back from mono. Slow and steady. -
1 Timothy 4:8 — “Bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.”
This keeps workouts in their place. Sports are good. God is better. -
Proverbs 24:16 — “The righteous falls seven times and rises again.”
Missed a PK? Up we get. -
Proverbs 21:31 — “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”
We do the drills. God holds the scoreboard.
If you want an even broader list of Bible verses that speak to training, nerves, and game-day grit, you can skim my candid, athlete-focused roundup right here. You could also flip through this extended index of athlete-minded scriptures for more inspiration.
A few more I use now and then:
- 2 Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
- Joshua 1:9 — “Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 — “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.”
- James 1:12 — “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…”
- Psalm 18:32–33 — “The God who equipped me with strength… He made my feet like the feet of a deer…”
And if you’re specifically chasing passages about winning, finishing, and the bigger-than-us kind of triumph, my no-filter review of victory scriptures might help—take a peek.
What worked for me (and my team)
- It set the tone. One short verse, and the sideline got quiet. Even the loud dads.
- It kept the focus on effort, not hype. We played harder and kinder.
- It made losses bearable. We learned, we grew, we went for tacos. That’s a win too.
- It was portable. A verse in a shoe works better than a long speech. Kids remember it.
If you need extra fuel—ready-made devotionals, locker-room posters, or parent guides—Barnabas curates a bunch of free downloads that line up well with these verses.
You know what? Even our keeper started calling out verses during corners. Not loud. Just for herself. It calmed her hands.
What bugged me
- Cherry-picking. Some posters slap Philippians 4:13 on everything, like it’s a magic trick. It’s not.
- Translation whiplash. A pile of mixed versions can confuse younger kids. I try to stick to one.
- Cheesy design. A few sets looked like ’90s clip art with flames. My players giggled. Not ideal.
- Win-obsessed takes. The Bible talks more about character than trophies. I wish more sets said that plain.
Two little stories
-
The ankle: I sprained mine chasing a stray dog during a run. Classic me. I wrote Hebrews 12:1 on tape: “Run with endurance.” It didn’t heal me. It steadied me. I kept doing the boring work—ice, bands, rest—without sulking.
-
The ref heat: We had a game where calls went wild. Parents got hot. I pulled out 2 Timothy 2:5. Rules matter. So does respect. We cooled down, then tied it with 40 seconds left. I still think the talk saved us more than the play did.
Quick playbook: my core seven
- Colossians 3:23 — Work hard, even on the bench.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24 — Compete with courage.
- 2 Timothy 2:5 — Play by the rules.
- Proverbs 24:16 — Bounce back.
- Isaiah 40:31 — Wait, then move.
- Hebrews 12:1 — Finish well.
- Proverbs 21:31 — Prep like crazy; trust God for the rest.
Tips so this actually sticks
- One verse a week. Put it on white tape or a wristband.
- Tie it to a habit: water break, shoe tying, bus ride.
- Let players pick one verse each month. Ownership helps.
- Keep it short on game day. Ten words, then ball down.
- After games, ask: “Which verse fit today?” Let them talk.
Coaching teen girls also means navigating the tricky overlap between performance, identity, and body confidence. When older players start asking frank questions about owning their femininity off the field, I’ve pointed them to broader conversations on self-expression—like the candid French-language reflection at Je montre mon minou, which unpacks one woman’s journey toward feeling comfortable in her own skin. Spending a few minutes with that perspective can equip leaders (and mature athletes) to address body-image talk without shying away from the real-life issues teens actually face.
Side note for coaches and parents who run teams in Australia: lining up scrimmages, hunting for second-hand gear, or finding last-minute physio help around Victoria can be a headache. I’ve shaved hours off that admin work by scrolling the local classifieds hub at Bedpage Melbourne—its sports-and-community section lets you filter listings fast, so you can scoop up deals or services without traipsing through a dozen separate Facebook groups.
So… is “Bible quotes on sports” worth it?
For me, yes. Not as hype. As a compass. It shaped our team vibe. It softened losses and kept wins humble. It also made our pregame talks simple, which I love.
Could the products be better? Sure. Fewer clichés. Cleaner art. Clear notes on context. But the heart of it lands.
Score: 4 out of 5. I’ll keep using them, and I’ll keep trimming the fluff.
If you coach, parent, or you’re an athlete who wants faith to meet sweat, grab a pocket set or an athlete plan, pick one verse, and try it for a month. Small words. Big change—mostly in us. The scoreboard can wait. Need a quick reference? Try memorizing the ten go-to verses compiled in this practical list for Christian athletes.