Trope: Black teaches White

Discussion with Max has me thinking that I want to avoid the mere trope that this is a story of the white boy looking for teaching for the wise black man. He used the reference of Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid.

Rather, I am hoping I can present this as a disciple story, and Jim simply has wisdom that comes from his Godliness, or, if that is too much to propose, from his ability to love unconditionally, wherever that came from.