We all know what the word coach means, but do you know where it originated? It came from a small town in Hungary.
A long time ago, the people in this town built carriages to make carrying mail easier. The carriages they built were so well-made that they ended up selling them all over Europe.
The name of that town is Kocs, but in Hungarian it sounds like “coach.” What those coaches did is exactly what our coaches do today. They help carry us from where we are to where we’re meant to be.
God has put people in our each of our lives who need coaching. So how can we do our part, multiplying what matters in the lives of those we love?
In his book on spiritual leadership, J. Oswald Sanders tells us. He writes: “The best leaders are those who knowthe way, go the way and show the way.”
The Apostle Paul was one of the best examples of this kind of coach, and his instruction to Timothy, his spiritual son, echoes Sanders’ observation.
In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul wrote: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
In the first verse, Paul encourages Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Each of us was shown grace through Christ’s death on the cross, and through His resurrection, we’re given the opportunity to know our Savior and embark on the journey of becoming more like Him.
So, back to Sander’s quote. What helps us know the way? Education. We can’t take others where we haven’t been ourselves, so we must educate ourselves in God’s way first—the way He has so graciously provided for us in Scripture.
The second verse teaches us about entrusting. Paul challenges Timothy that effect mentorship entrusts reliable people. Not everyone is going to do what it takes to get where they need to be, but there will be some, so focus on those some.
I’ll never forget one conversation I had with an influential minister. I asked, “If you could go back in time, what’s one thing you’d do differently?” He responded, “I’d give much less time to those who demanded it, and I’d spend that time sowing into my spiritual sons.” Entrust the wisdom you’ve gained to those whom you know will steward it well. This is how we go the way.
Finally, how do we show the way? Verse two tells us we do so by empowering those we’ve invested in. We let them put their education into action.
It’s sobering to think we’ve never had more knowledge at our fingertips, but we’ve also never had more problems in our world. Perhaps what’s missing is coaches—those dedicated to carrying others the way Paul taught Timothy to. Together, let’s help multiply what matters!
