Super Bowl Sunday and the church
By: American Decency Staff
We have lost sight of the Holiness of God. As we either advertently or inadvertently diminish God and elevate ourselves, we have become increasingly decadent, desensitized, dumbed down. The following will agitate. I know that. Yet, I believe it needs to be said. WE ARE CHRISTIANS. IT MUST BE DIFFERENT WITH US. Superbowl Sundays have become major entertainment events that go far beyond the main draw – the football game itself.
With significant competition amongst numerous corporations, advertisers use sex to sell. In addition, half-time shows are not worthy of the minds, eyes and souls of our youth.  Individuals can and do choose to do what they want to do with their time, but as Christian leaders what are we saying to our youth and adults when we allow a godless football attraction be the center piece for a youth event – even if it is only one Sunday night a year.
Many of us understand the desire of the church to find ways to reach out into the community and draw unbelievers to the church to hear the Gospel. For a number of years now, Superbowl Sunday youth gatherings have been used to gather a crowd.
I know that numbers of you are like me. I don’t want my young person being exposed to commercials of scantily clad women mud wrestling (as per several years ago). I desire they not be exposed to half-time lingerie shows and/or other similar advertisement ploys (like Godaddy.com – ad nauseum) – it’s a day where the competition between corporations is so great that they do whatever they can to get the attention of millions of Americans who are glued to their television set for this huge festivity.
WE ARE CHRISTIANS. IT MUST BE DIFFERENT WITH US.
All of this, too, in the context of Christian leaders inadvertently legitimizing the sexual imagery, materialism, the godlessness foisted upon a watching, unthinking, conforming world.
I believe that education committees, church elders, deacons and pastors need to make recommendations like the following:
.. that leadership, Sunday School teachers, and youth group workers in this church exercise vigilance in biblical discernment in what it selects to place or not place before the eyes, ears and senses of the young people it is shepherding in His name and use Superbowl Sunday in a way that will draw young people to stand boldly against the world’s system and to stand up for the Gospel.
This is intentionally left open-ended, but here are just a few possibilities. (1) Have a boycott the Superbowl party. Here's an opportunity to make a statement that being Christians is not about identifying with the world but identifying with Christ and His Kingdom principles of righteousness.
(2) Discuss together verses like Matt. 6:22-24;
Matt. 18:6; 1 Peter 1:15-17;
Psalm 119:37.
(3) Pray together for Christian youth. ==========================================
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