Superlative coaches or teachers have to be excellent communicators. Coaches need to clearly communicate to their players what they need to do and also motivate them through inspiring words of wisdom. Many coaches have been players of the sport they are coaching and usually were successful as a player. Anyone who has been a coach or teacher knows that knowing how to do something yourself is much different than trying to teach someone else how to do it. For example, Ted Williams was one of the greatest baseball players of all time and the last person to hit over .400 for a season. After he retired from baseball he became a hitting coach. He had amazing knowledge of hitting and great skill to do it; however his advice to players did not translate into success. He told the players to keep your eye on the ball. The hitters needed more than this advice, though, to get better. If communication is not clear then a team will not achieve as well as they should.
God is the greatest communicator the world has ever known. He gave us the Bible, which contains endless wisdom for our lives. One of the main people God used to write down His words was Paul. Paul wrote about half of the books of the New Testament. Even while Paul, then called Saul, was growing up God had a plan for how He would use him. God gave him experiences to prepare him for the spreading of the Gospel message. At an early age Saul learned from, Gamaliel, one of the most noted rabbis in history. The school that he attended gave Saul a broad exposure to classical literature, philosophy, and ethics. As both a Jew and a Roman citizen Paul was able to witness effectively to both groups. God prepared him through his experiences and education to be an excellent vessel for the Gospel message. Through clear, patient, inspirational communication God’s love and His Word were spread throughout the world. It helps all of us when someone conveys to us that we are wonderful. There are two types of people in the world. One person conveys you should be happy to see me; while the other person conveys I am happy to see you. We need to be like the second person. That is the type of person Paul was. He would greet others kindly, offer words of support and encouragement, and would stay positive even in dire situations. This can have a large effect. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15. The most important thing that Paul did that we can do also is to talk often about grace and the Gospel. That is clear communication and true inspiration! Reference Stohlmann, M. (2016). The world's greatest coach. Seattle, WA: CreateSpace.
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Micah StohlmannChristian, author, and professor of mathematics education. Archives
May 2023
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