Mentoring And Making DisciplesSample

Follow My Example, As I Follow The Example Of Christ 

Who is a mentor? Why is mentoring crucial? What is the outcome of mentoring?

Mentoring is a relational experience where one person empowers another with their God given resources- Paul Stanley and JR Clinton.

This definition that best defines mentoring says that it is a relational experience. It is not the guru- sishya relationship where the guru is a master and the sishya is a servant. Paul, who mentored Timothy, called Timothy his son in the faith. (I Tim 1:2) Elisha who followed Elijah cried out as he saw Elijah being taken up to heaven, “My father, My father.” So mentoring is a relationship within God's family that has familial bonds. It is not usually for a short time. Instead, it is one person pouring out their life and time into another. One experienced Christian guiding, encouraging, and equipping another for a lifetime.

It is a relationship where one is empowering another. When Elijah was about to be taken up to heaven, Elisha, the successor, asked him for a double portion of his power. And we see that he accomplished all the tasks that God had given to Elijah on Mount Moriah. Mentors then, are giving all they have learnt from God, to the ones they mentor.

God doesn’t work in short bursts and pauses. He continuously raises up successors. He gives one man a vision and sometimes the fulfillment is done by others. The tapestry of God is woven with many different threads and each follows the other without a break. Mentoring finds its role here and achieves Jesus’ commission—to make disciples teaching them to follow all his commandments. (Matt 28:16-20)

Mentoring is done with God-given resources. All that we are, and have, belongs to God. Our trainings, talents, and abilities are what we use to mentor. 

Paul also mentored Priscilla and Aquila. He lived with them and traveled with them. Because they also shared a profession of tent-making they had a unique friendship. Paul passed on all his knowledge of God to them. After Paul left them they met a man, Apollos, who was lacking in some teaching but was already doing a great ministry. So this couple used the training that God gave them through the teaching of Paul and mentored him. Apollos went on to build a flourishing ministry in Achaia. The teachings were thus passed on.

As Christians, no matter our age, we need people to pour into our lives. We also must pour in to others. May God show you a mentor who will sacrificially guide you and may you pour out into the lives of others all that God has given you. To God be the glory.