Connected Families Podcast

Youth Sports Parents: How to Transform Every Game into a Discipleship Moment


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Youth sports are shaping our kids’ lives in profound ways. Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith, co-authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, join us in today’s conversation to explore how parents can transform the youth sports experience into powerful discipleship moments that align with God’s design for our families. Whether your child is a budding athlete or just loves to play for fun, this conversation will equip you with biblical wisdom to help sports strengthen your kid’s character.

Key points:
  • Discover ways that the sports culture is discipling your kids
  • Learn a game-changing mindset shift to love faithfully within the youth sports system
  • Parents, get equipped with ideas for using youth sports as a mission for God
  • Mentioned in this podcast:
    • Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports
    • Daniel 1:8-21 NIV
    • Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

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      *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!*

      Guest Bio:

      Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades’ experience discipling college and professional athletes. His latest book is Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. He’s written articles, essays, and training manuals at the intersection of faith and sport. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, Amy, have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio. Ed can be found at: X: @uszynski32 Facebook: @ed.uszynski.3

      Brian Smith is the author of several books including his latest Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports and The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports. He has been on staff with Athletes in Action since 2008. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Brian has a master’s degree in Theology and Sports Studies from Baylor University. He lives in Lowell, Michigan, with his wife and three kids.

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