In case you hadn’t realized it yet this Sunday is the Super Bowl. While some people don’t watch it or care about it millions of people in our nation will tune into it.

In our case it might be worth noting that our 5:00 service will fall right in the middle of the game. While the Super Bowl certainly doesn’t compare to the delight of worshiping our Savior with His blood-bought church many of us do see football as a gift given by God’s common grace. In light of this we would encourage you to record the game and invite some people over to watch it with you after service.

Regardless of what your plans are a post at the Family Room blog has some helpful thoughts in viewing the Super Bowl purposefully. I have pasted the entire post below. By the way for #11 you might insert Jarrett Vincent.

86 Million people watched the Super-bowl last year. That’s more than most countries’ entire population. It has historically been the most watched event on television. That is why commercials costs about 2.5 million per spot to run. Incredible!In light of all the hype, how can we as Christians watch this event in a way that pleases God? Sin’s influence has not been filtered out. So how can we sanctify the Superbowl? Here are 11 ideas to sanctify the Superbowl:

1) Cast a Vision

Use the pre-game time to inform your kids why you like football and why sports are a gift from God.

2) Educate your kids

Explain to them that those playing are sinners like each of us. At times players will have sinful attitudes and display their pride or anger. Those times are reminders of the patience of God and his mercy in sending his Son for sinners like us.

3) Consider praying

Consider praying together thanking God for our country and the freedoms we still enjoy.

4) Use the remote

Many watch the Superbowl simply for the commercials. I must admit there are some very humorous ones. However there are many our eyes shouldn’t see. Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set anything before my eyes that is worthless.” Have your finger ready to switch to C-Span if necessary!

5) Watch it with others

Consider making it a memory, or perhaps a tradition, with your closest friends or family members. 6) Invite the lostSeize the opportunity to invite your neighbors or unsaved friends. This is a non-threatening opportunity to reach out to them. Be mindful of “conducting yourself wisely.” Colossians 4:5,6 7) Plan questionsMake the most of the evening by having meaningful and intentional discussions

9) Plan a game

The half-time show won’t be worth watching. Perhaps you can have a game planned during that time.

10) Consider your wives

For you men whose wives love football, well this isn’t for you. (Enjoy God’s grace.) This is for the majority of us men who have wives who dislike sports in general, football not with-standing. Thank them for watching it with you, snuggle close while watching it, or simply turn it off if it’s a blowout. Marriages are more important than the Superbowl.

11) Root for the Bears

A dear friend of mine, Bryan Korzeniewski, is a true Da Bears lover. If they win he is naming his first son Rex.

This entry was posted by Tim Pickard on Friday, February 2nd, 2007 at 6:33 pm and is filed under Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.