When I was 10 to 12 years old, I would show up at our Jr. High gymnasium every Saturday during the winter to take part in the YMCA basketball program. I loved every minute we were on the court! Whether we were running lines, learning the correct way to throw different passes, learning how to dribble the ball without looking, shooting layups, pivoting, screening out…I loved every drill!
The coach, Mr. Rhodes, was big on fundamentals. His philosophy was if you learn the fundamentals, you don’t need to “think” about them in a game situation. The fundamentals become part of who you are, second nature, natural actions and reactions. Mr. Rhodes’ philosophy was like the former, unmatched, UCLA coach John Wooden. These great coaches were not hoping their players would know about the fundamentals. Their goal was that the fundamentals would become a part of who a player was.
I see parallels between basketball fundamentals and living a Jesus honoring life. If a disciple learns the fundamentals of a Jesus honoring life and practices them, the fundamentals become part of who they are, second nature, natural actions and reactions. The goal of a disciples’ experience is not “knowing the fundamentals” of living a Jesus honoring life. The goal is doing and living the fundamentals like forgiveness, love, telling the truth, generosity, praying, and learning everything Jesus taught.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 ESV
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