This week JSAW’s Bible study at Hyland Hills started up again after a summer hiatus. Starting off strong we had 15 riders attend to reunite with friends, get their boards back under them and study God’s word. At JSAW, we’ve seen firsthand how hosting a Bible study at Hyland Hills Ski Area transforms the way riders engage with their faith. It’s more than just gathering for a Bible study; it’s about weaving faith into an environment where riders already feel connected and alive. Here’s why this approach is a game-changer for both riders who are regularly involved in a church and those who have never stepped foot in a church.
1. Small Group Meets Riders Where They Are
Let’s be honest—stepping into a church for a Bible study can be intimidating for some, especially those who don’t have a church background. But when you bring the study to the ski hill, suddenly it feels different. The slopes are already a second home for many riders, so having spiritual conversations there feels more natural and less formal.
This idea isn’t new—Jesus often met people where they were, whether it was by a well, on a boat, or in their homes. Meeting riders at the ski hill shows that faith isn’t just for Sundays in a pew—it’s for every part of life, even on the slopes.
2. Faith Becomes Tangible and Real
For riders, their sport and passion offers so many life lessons: perseverance, courage, humility. These experiences make biblical truths more relatable. Talking about perseverance? Riders can recall moments they pushed through fear on a big trick. Discussing trust? They’ve felt it in the split second before landing a jump.
These real-life parallels allow riders to engage more deeply with the Bible—it becomes a guide for the challenges they face every day on and off the slopes.
3. It Reaches Riders Who Might Not Attend Church
Many riders are not connected to a church. A ski hill Bible study offers an open door for those who might not consider attending a traditional church event. It’s a chance to experience faith in a way that feels approachable and relevant, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
For many, it’s a first step in their spiritual development or even their first opportunity to hear the gospel.—What starts with a shared love for riding grows into something much deeper.
4. Riding Becomes a Way to Live Out Faith
When faith and riding come together, something powerful happens. Riders start seeing their time on the slopes as more than just a sport. It becomes a way to serve others, mentor younger riders, and reflect their faith in how they ride and interact with others.
Whether it’s showing kindness to a struggling beginner, demonstrating patience in a crowded lift line, or simply being a positive influence, riding becomes a way to live out their faith in real, impactful ways. One of the riders who was a small group regular last season and was eagerly back this year shared a story of how he was able to encourage a peer on the hill. He saw a friend take a pretty bad slam after trying a new trick on a jump. Immediately after seeing this happen he went down to check on his friend, laid his hand on him and they prayed together.
Final Thoughts
God meets riders where they’re at through JSAW—even on the slopes. A Bible study in the chalet offers riders an engaging way to study God’s word, one that’s rooted in their passions and lived out in their community.
JSAW has 90 riders regularly involved in the Disciple making process and we’re looking for help to double that number by 2030. Will you make that happen by sponsoring a rider today so they can get involved and engage with their faith? JSAW.org/sponsor
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