Football team seeks spiritual growth on and off the field

  • Football players have the opportunity to attend Gridiron Bible Study, a student led Bible study intended to foster community.
  • Each position has a student spiritual leader to encourage the other players and hold them accountable.

Although physical training on and off the field occupies much of the Liberty University football team’s schedule, many people are unaware of the spiritual side of the famous Flames.

 

The football team offers plenty of spiritual programs and outlets for its players, including a Bible study every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Football Operations Center.

 

Dr. Ed Gomes, Liberty Football’s Director of Spiritual Development, said the weekly Bible study—known as the Gridiron Bible Study—was started 8-10 years ago by one of the Liberty’s former students Chris Rocco, who now serves as the Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) head football coach.

 

“The purpose of the study was not only to provide an opportunity for guys to grow together,” Gomes said. “But it also was an opportunity to invite other players to become engaged in spiritual dialogue.”

 

Gomes said he is very supportive of the student-led Bible study, and loves how it enables these football players to grow together spiritually, be engaged in each other’s lives and build strong relationships with one another.

 

The Bible study is strictly student led, without faculty members or coaches.

 

“They use it (to) build relationships with other guys on the team,” Gomes said. “They encourage them to become a part of the Gridiron Bible Study.”

 

Gomes said the strictly student attendance helps the football players to be more open with each other. Sometimes, one of them might not open up if a coach is present.

 

Player attendance at the Bible study is between 8-20 of the players. Gomes said he hopes the Bible study can grow.

 

“I would love to see the whole football team come,” Gomes said.

 

For every different position group on Liberty University’s football team, there is a student spiritual leader to guide the group of players and encourage their teammates to attend the Bible study. Gomes likes to meet with these spiritual leaders on a weekly basis for accountability.

 

“The purpose of the Gridiron Bible Study is it to bring followers of Christ together once a week for spiritual encouragement.” Gomes said.

 

 

 

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