“Why In The World Do I Need A Mentor Anyway?”

  1. Introduction:
    • Read Matthew 28:18–20
    • Each of us who believe in Jesus Christ and love Him is gifted in various ways to help reach and disciple those who are coming to Him.
    • Jesus Christ and the work of His Holy Spirit are at the center of Christian discipling. Every new comer to the Lord needs a mentor/discipler.
    • Humans aren’t designed to live in vacuums.
      • Moses mentored Joshua.
      • Elijah mentored Elisha.
      • Jesus mentored His disciples.
    • The best mentoring textbooks in the world are the Gospels.
    • Read 2 Timothy 2:2
      One of the greatest privileges of the Christian life is to participate in passing the greatest truth in the world on to other reliable people.
    1. What is mentoring/discipling?
      • Mentoring was the only means of transmitting values, skills, and character qualities from one generation to the next.
      • Finding and making use of the right mentor is one of the most critical steps you’ll ever take.
    2. What is the purpose of mentoring/discipling?
      • At its best, mentoring is discipling.
      • Scripture contains many examples of mentoring, but one of the best is that of Barnabas.
        Acts 9:27
      • The Holy Spirit is the Great Mentor.
    3. Some functions of mentoring/discipling?
      1. Advisor
        Psalm 73:24, Proverbs 11:14
        1. They were good listeners.
        2. They let me make mistakes.
        3. They knew how to ask penetrating, but unloaded questions.
        4. They prayed for me.
        5. God made them wise because they listened to Him.
          Proverbs 15:31
      2. Coach

        A mature, experienced coach does not try to control the player.

      3. Role Models

        No one is the perfect role model—except Jesus.
        2 Chronicles 7:14

    4. How do you select a mentor/mentoree?

      The process must be preceded by much prayer and communication with the Father.

      1. Will the mentor be objective, lovingly honest, and provide a balanced source of feedback?
      2. Will the mentor be transparent with his/her own struggles?
      3. Will the mentor model his/her own teachings?
      4. Does the mentor know and believe in you?
      5. Is the mentor successful in your eyes?
      6. Does the mentor want to see younger people succeed?
  2. Application: How do I start?
    1. Begin by being a disciple of Jesus yourself.
    2. Saturate with prayer.
    3. Make a short list.
    4. Approach one or two.
    5. Allow the individual an opportunity to ponder your proposal and pray.
    6. Place a time limit on the mentoring relationship.
    • Who are my mentors now? ___________________________________________
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    • Who do I know that might be a good mentor in my life? _____________________
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    • To whom could I become a mentor/discipler? _____________________________
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