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Key Bible Verse: Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). Bonus Reading: Philippians 4:8-9

Sitting at the end of the runway, with the little Cessna 150's engine roaring in the cockpit, all I could really hear was my heart pounding.

But I knew I was ready—because I'd been mentored. Classes on how to read charts, understand dashboard gauges and interpret cloud formations were followed by airport coffee shop time with my instructor as he encouraged me and critiqued my best efforts. More flying time followed.

Then one day up in the air, my instructor looked over and said, "Stop at the end of the runway after the next landing, and I'll get out."

I can still hear his words the day of my first lesson: "Here's how you'll learn to fly. First, I'll do it, and you watch. Next step, we do it together. Then, you do it, and I'll watch. Finally, I'll let you go by yourself."

On that first solo flight I made three beautiful landings and takeoffs. Thirty years later, I still love flying. But I've found something that lifts my spirits even higher than any Beech craft. I've learned the extraordinary rewards of helping people through mentoring.

—Jess Gibson in Coaching Champions

• Who has served as a mentor for you? What qualities and behavior did they exhibit?

Thought to Apply: The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

— WILLIAM A. WARD (missionary to India, 19th century)

Credits: Adapted from— Monday: Coaching Champions (New Leaf, 1993)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

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