discipleship in basketball

Their play on the court aside, there is one large reason why I follow the San Antonio Spurs.

They promote discipleship. (And no I have not lost my mind)

Listen to what their coach, Gregg Popovich, said regarding the rise of their point guard,

When Tony started out he played on talent...He wasn't big on the weight room, he wasn't big about practice. That developed over time, and a lot of that was watching Timmy and how he conducts himself, and that’s rubbed off on Tony.

I know what you are thinking. Discipleship?

Allow me to give you a brief history of the modern era San Antonio Spurs. 

• It began with David Robinson (which is also where my "fandom" began) in the 90's. 
• Towards the latter half of his career the Spurs hired Gregg Popovich who instilled his system and style of basketball in Robinson who was the leader of the team at the time. 
• In 1997, the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan who sat under the tutelage of both Popovich and Robinson, and eventually took over the reigns as the team's leader. 
• In 2001, the Spurs drafted Tony Parker who sat under the tutelage of Popovich, Robinson (albeit briefly), and Duncan, and currently sits as the team's newest leader.
• In 2011, the Spurs drafted Kawhi Leonard who Popovich, Duncan, and Parker have all announced to be the leader of the Spurs in years to come.

And that history brings me back to the quote made by Popovich. The Spurs have been able to build and thrive upon their success because they promote discipleship. It is expected that the guys currently entrenched in the system will teach and mentor the new additions. Similarly, it is expected that the additions will enable themselves to be taught by the veterans.

And this teaching is through both word and example. The older players coach the younger ones on how to play the game well. They tell them how success comes as a member of the Spurs. They stress the importance of practice and hard work. They tell them where they should be on the court and how they should handle themselves off it.

But they also give life to their words, which the quotes reveals. They display what they are trying to instill in the young guys. They demonstrate the fruit of their words both on and off the court. They work hard and practice well. And as the young guys hear and see, they began to adopt the principles for themselves.

Now I ask, basketball aside how is this any different to Christian discipleship? Is that far from what Paul says in Titus 2:1-6?

Older men and women (and remember there is always someone older and younger than you), 

• Are you teaching the younger men and women through your words and actions? 
• Are they hearing and seeing the truths of God proclaimed in you? 
• Is Christ being made evident to them through your life? 
• Are you investing in them as the future of God's church here on earth? 
• Are you taking them under your wing that they might bear fruit?

Younger men and women (and there is always someone older and younger than you as well), 

• Are you allowing yourself to be taught by those older than you?
• Are you seeking out their wisdom and insight?
• Are you observing how they proclaim Christ that you might do the same?
• Are you investing in them as valuable resources God has given to the church?
• Are you viewing them as wonderful testimonies of God's goodness and grace?

Regardless of our stage in life, there is always someone we can disciple and someone who can disciple us.

The question becomes, what are we doing about it?