If you’ve read The Boys in the Boat, the story of the rowing crew who won the men’s eight at the 1936 Summer Olympics, you noticed that each chapter begins with a quote from their trainer, George Yeomans Pocock. His philosophy of rowing and influence on those young men, are the story behind the story. They understood rowing through Pocock’s eyes and they became like their trainer. 

Pocock’s influence is worth noting. Teachers who embody their teaching inform who their students become. 

A similar example was Joe Burk, the rowing coach at the University of Pennsylvania whose 1955 team took the Grand Challenge Cup* at the Henley Royal Regatta. Burk’s training, and the personal attention he invested in each man, yielded a crew who achieved the impossible. 

Both of these examples serve as reference points for what it means to be mentored and trained by Jesus Christ. Jesus’ tutelage is neither heady nor specialized. Anyone can understand it, and all of us can remember it. Love God wholeheartedly, and love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. Though it takes daily practice, it’s the best way to explain our “coach” to those who don’t know Him. 

*Begins at 1:10 in this YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGn5SB87Zz8