Basics of the Basics

There is a common story in the New Testament that is referred to as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I’ll bet most of you remember it. What you might not remember is that the parable is really an illustrative answer to a simple question that a religious expert asked Jesus.

Here’s the story from Luke chapter 10:

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

This story within a story is a perfect way for us to be reminded of how we should lead our lives every day. For years you have heard me teach that the three foundational truths of the Christian life is that we must be Grateful … Generous … and Gracious, but I want to tell you that it does not end there.

I think what Jesus was teaching in this lesson in Luke 10 is that true followers (and thus leaders) but be Guided … Grounded … and Guarded! You and I will never rise any higher than our grounding in the Word of God and the Person of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who promised to guild us even through the choppy waters, and storming seas, and it is Jesus who said I will never leave you or forsake you – in other words He is out Guide … He is our Grounding … and He is our Guide.

These basics apply to each of us in everything we do. As a coach, you have this responsibility to keep your students on the exact path prescribed for them. Now, the truth is we all get off the path at times, but with a little correction