One of the ongoing conversations each year in the American church is how to best engage our cultural phenomenon of the Super Bowl. Some churches just ignore it; just do church services without acknowledging the most watched event of the year in the USA. Last year alone, viewer statistics are over 114 million people.
Some churches hi-jack it, by promoting their people to host a Super Bowl gathering and then surprise their guests by throwing on a gospel video during commercial time. Some churches fully embrace the Super Bowl and cancel services because attendance takes a hit. Let’s just acknowledge that opinions are all over the map and there is no one right answer.
This year, I am challenging to CVC to come to a morning service and be LifeHouses. Go live on mission for Super Bowl Sunday by either hosting a party in your neighborhood as a LifeHouse, or with your LifeGroup, or attend a party you’ve been invited to. The reality is, that whether you like football or not or the teams playing or not, the field is ripe for relational harvest. Why not use this event to meet your neighbors? Or to invite that person you have been praying for and talking to connect on a more interpersonal level?
Colossians 4:5 says to, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (ESV).
The way I see it, engaging one of our country’s largest events in a missional and relational way is walking wisely toward others and making good use of our time. Hospitality can initiate opportunity for the Gospel. As you consider ways to live as a missionary for the Super Bowl, here are a few practical suggestions for you:
- As a LifeHouse, host a party in your neighborhood.
- Hand out small invites with times and instructions and invite your neighbors to bring one of their favorite snacks team up with your LifeGroup or some other believers and host a party together, inviting people that you have been praying for or trying to connect with. Jesus provided the best wine for his first miracle, so do your best to provide quality snacks and refreshments.
- If you host a party or bring some of your best snacks if you accept an invitation to someone else’s party.
- A good impression can go a long way for LifeHouse conversations. Don’t just watch the game, but get to know people. Ask questions about their life and listen to their responses.
- Listen for common connects and ways to pray for them pause early on for a quick prayer thanking God for the food and the time to get to know the people present.
- If you attend the gathering of a neighbor, co-worker or friend of a friend, use it as an opportunity to serve by helping prepare and clean up.
- Have some follow up opportunities/invitations in mind (have them over for a meal, go to another event together, invite to church, pray for something you heard going on in their life and follow up on it).
I hope you take this challenge to live on mission for the Super Bowl, and please share any cool stories that come out of your efforts with us at connect@cvconline.org
