Investing in Mentoring for Spiritual Growth and Empowerment

Mentoring Growing the young people in God

Mentoring 2 Tim 2:2/Acts 11:25/John 21:15/1 Cor 12:7 Jesus was Mentor Moses was mentor Barnabas was mentor Mentors are living role models

Mentoring FOCUS Perspective 1: Mentoring is investing yourself Perspective 2: It is a relationship Perspective 3: It means growth Perspective 4: It means empowerment Perspective 5: It means being an example Perspective 6: It is multiplication

Mentoring is an Investment A mentor is a person with a serving, giving and encouraging attitude, who discovers the potential that lies in a still-developing person and supports this person on the journey of unfolding the full potential - Robert Clinton Barnabas invested himself into mentoring Paul. He took the risk, when Jews wanted Paul s life, when apostles and other Christians didn t accept him. He invested his time, energy and essentially himself in order to support Paul.

Mentoring is a Relationship John 21:15 Mentees only get confident to open up when a safe and protective context has been established. Jesus example The circle of the 70. Lk 10:1-20; of 12. Lk 6:12,13; inner circle of 3.; Individual instruction. Mentoring is a knowledge that you tap into; it s a shoulder to lean on, and a kick in the pants. Richard Tyre.

Mentoring as Growth Phil 3:12-14 Without growth and change, we would just stay stuck in a rut. Spiritual growth is a slow continuous process with the goal of becoming more like Jesus. (Eph 4:15). For youth to grow, they need older and experienced leaders. Mentors are therefore committed to nurturing the development of mature, healthy and spiritually grounded personalities.

Mentoring as growth (cont.) It s not about quick results, but small changes that eventually make a difference in the mentees life. Interestingly both the mentor and mentee benefit from the process. The grass doesn t grow any faster when you pull it - African proverb.

Mentoring as Empowerment 1 Cor. 12:7 All of us have gifts and strengths Out of fear of boasting, or because of misconceived humility, Christians are in more danger of underestimating the value of their own gifts and neglecting them. We treat him [a man] as if he already was what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet, 1749 1832.

Empowerment (contd) It means the mentee begins a journey to discover, unfold and develop the gifts God has bestowed on them, knowing they have support behind in case they stumble. Tobias Faix & Anke Wiedekind principle is to promote independence. In 5 steps I do it, you watch I do it, you help You do it, I help You do it, I watch You do it, and another mentee watches you . . .

Mentoring as Being an Example 1 Cor 11:1 Principle: Learn from your role models. Jewish Mishnah* May you try so hard to be like you rabbi may you follow him with so much enthusiasm, passion and dedication as you walk behind your rabbi that your whole face is covered with the rabbi s dust. May you be covered with the dust of your rabbi s feet. Be what you want your disciples to be. Thomas Caryle

Being an Example (contd) We often have expectations of perfection in our role models; but we need to realize failure can come, yet it does not need discourage us. We may be disappointed but not to be discouraged. Models/Mentors who sometimes fail and admit it can be an encouragement to young people. They need a role mode who can inspire them and can learn from, be an inspiration to them, encourage them to imitate your life.

Mentoring is Multiplication Goal for mentoring is for younger partners to benefit from the experience of the older and develop their own capabilities.**[not just to admire them] Barnabas did it for Paul and other young coworkers. (2 Tim 2:2) Mentoring is geared toward multiplication and always includes passing on the knowledge, insights and experience you yourself have gained over time. [Luke 6:40]

Multiplication (contd) Goal of mentoring is for mentees to become mentors and support others as they grow and mature They made disciples out of people who themselves were able to make disciples of other people. Thus the kingdom of God soon rested on many shoulders and was prepared to overcome the trials faced in the early years. Tobias Faix and Anke Wiedekind

Mentoring Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing. - Albert Schweitzer, French-German theologian and philosopher, 1875-1965

Mentoring Be a mentor worth emulating Thank you