I've got a slight issue with this depiction, in that it appears that rather than coaching the children, Jesus appears to simply be taunting them with his superior height. As in so many of these models, I'm worried that the Messiah's usual robe-and-sandals combo is going to hamper his efficiency at both teaching and playing the game, which perhaps explains why he's currently just holding the ball out of reach. Basketball Jesus.

Consequently, as one living in a non-glorified human condition, Jesus would not automatically have been the greatest basketball player in world history from the moment he learned, in his human knowledge, how the game is played.

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His sense of responsibility was also tested because when his mom died, and his father was behind bars, he had to take care of his little sister. He essentially skipped the formative years of young adulthood to become both a big brother and a parent to his sister. But” I can hear you say, “if sport is a gift from God, then why is it often so bad, full of drugs, professional fouls, violence and cheating?”

To see how someone can move from being a Christian who plays sport to being a Christian in sport let’s see what the Bible says about sport. For starters, the first half of the name, “Jesus”, is a clear reference to the religious figure of Jesus Christ. This reference is especially significant given the character’s role as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those around him. Just as Jesus Christ is seen as a savior and a source of guidance for many, Jesus Shuttlesworth is seen as a source of hope and inspiration for his team, his family, and his community. His independence is also in full display. With his decision to go to Big State not for any other factor aside from it being the best choice for himself and his sister is a choice made by a mature and independent young man. He made this decision even without any positive role models in his life. Who Was Supposed to play Jesus Shuttlesworth? Brian’s #1: Basketball’s history has a story and it’s about a person. It’s also about the YMCA. It was messy, like the creation of the nation of Israel.

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Off the court, Ray Allen also did a remarkable job of bringing the character’s inner turmoil to the surface. Jesus Shuttlesworth is a young man who is grappling with a great deal of pressure and expectations, and Ray Allen was able to convey this sense of tension and uncertainty in a way that was both convincing and relatable. Spurs Jesus: I would say Jesus being a man of many miracles and talents could probably do some amazing things on a basketball court if He so pleases. Also, I don’t know if He can walk on air—He can walk on water—but I’m sure He probably could throw down a nasty dunk or two if He felt like it. Also, whether a sports team wins generally doesn’t depend on the actions of just one person. That’s why they’re team sports. Even if Jesus were the greatest basketball player in history, his teammates (e.g., a ragtag bunch of Galilean fishermen) could lose the game.

In my mind I am struggling to envision a teenage Jesus who never ever makes a mistake. Nobody likes being around someone who is perfect—someone who never loses a game, never stubs his toe, never over sleeps, never hit his thumb with the hammer. Pastor Rich Wilkerson: In terms of scripture, the Bible says, “What’s impossible for man is possible with God,” so I think there’s nothing impossible for Jesus. And we see all throughout the scripture Him doing miraculous signs and wonders. So I just think if you put a basketball in His hands, how creative could He be with that? I mean, does He have to even move? He can just stay in one spot and shoot all day and never miss. He’s perfect so I think if He played basketball He’d be pretty perfect at it. Not to be confused with his namesake who plays up front for Manchester City, this is Jesus demonstrating a 'show' rather than 'tell' coaching model, running rings around his primary-aged mentees/opposition. I'm not entirely convinced that the gentle shoulder barge that Jesus is using is strictly theologically sound, but in this ornament, there's no doubt about who the pro is. Soccer Jesus. Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

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Of course, even when a skilled person is humble, some will still be jealous. And some people were jealous of Jesus (Matt. 27:18, Mark 15:10). Of course, as the omnipotent Son of God, he could have become the all-time MVP using his miraculous powers, but that wasn’t his mission. Practice drills and contests—Practice drills that develop skills, like shooting or dribbling, while also providing a fun environment without being too competitive. Hold contests for activities such as free throws, three-point shooting, or dribbling. Dr. Gary Evans: RICE is key. But I don’t think that they would know that.​ I don’t think there was much ice around those days, so I don’t think He’d be able to ice [an injury]. And I don’t know if He would think of elevating it, which is the main thing we would do today. I suppose He’d be pretty good if he had a pair of Jordans, I guess.