Is Mentoring Biblical?
What is a Christian View of Mentorship?
Mentoring is definitely Biblical.
Mentoring is defined by Webster as teaching or giving advice or guidance to someone, such as a less experienced person or child. Jesus mentored His disciples during His ministry on earth. In fact, He said anyone who serves Him must follow Him (John 12:26). In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), Jesus told His followers to "make disciples of all nations." Making disciples involves much more than giving people a set of rules to follow: it includes living with them and helping them to grow in Jesus. That is mentoring.
As Timothy was developing in his Christian walk, he was mentored by Paul, and he and Paul wrote numerous letters together (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, both letters to the Thessalonians, and Philemon).
The Bible also tells older Christians to teach younger Christians (Titus 2). Specifically, older women are told to "train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled" (verses 4–5). Paul implies in verses 2 and 6 that the older men should likewise teach the younger men by example, and this example is more than just showing the right way to behave. It includes training the younger men. This is mentorship. In verse 7, Paul urges Titus to "show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works." Paul is urging Titus to be more than just a preacher; he is to be a disciple (or mentor) in helping the church in Crete to grow. But Paul isn't the only one to command mentoring. Peter, in 1 Peter 5:2–3, says, "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." This is a command to be mentors to their flocks.
One caution, though. Christian mentoring is somewhat different than secular mentoring. Christians are constantly striving to be like Christ, but do not attain perfection in this life. Paul urged the Corinthians to "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Christ is the ultimate model we should follow. As Christians, we should always point others to Christ. Part of our mentoring must be to show the right reactions to our sin. Paul said in Philippians 3:12–14, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." We realize and admit we are not yet fully sanctified, and yet we continue to press on toward becoming more and more Christ-like and encourage others to do the same.
All Christians, as we mature in our faith and sanctification, should seek to mentor others and to help them to become like Christ.
Source: CompellingTruth.orgWhat to Look for in your Mentor
While we know perfection is impossible, mentors should be women who seek to love God in all they think, say, and do — a woman who earnestly desires to know God and glorify Him with her life. Faithful examples of this as Titus 2:3 reveals are:
Reverent in the way she lives - Does she give thought to her ways? Does she use her time to serve others? Does her life increasingly reflect her faith? In other words, how does she live?
Not a slanderer - Does she display wisdom with her words? Does she gossip? Does she speak well of others close to her? Does she complain frequently? In other words, how does she speak?
Not a slave - Does she possess inner discipline regarding alcohol, food, exercise, TV, shopping, and other world pleasures? Does she increasingly trust in God for her joy and contentment? In other words, what governs her affections?
Teaches what is good - Does she give worldly advice or Biblical wisdom? Does she have a regular practice of Bible reading and prayer? Does she faithfully seek ways to grow in knowledge and understanding? In other words, what governs her mind?
How to be a Faithful Mentee
Be faithful - Simply do what you’ve committed to do. You will only grow as much as you put into the relationship. Your mentor is offering you her time, energy, and care, and we don’t drift toward holiness. Be intentional, timely, and grateful about this investment in your spiritual growth.
Be active - Don’t assume your mentor will always know what you need. Be prepared to share questions, struggles, and prayer requests. Ask her to help you with difficult decisions, invite her into your life, and receive the wisdom she has to offer.
Be honest and humble - You should be willing to share your messes and struggles with your mentor, confess any sins, and ask for help. Be prepared to listen with humility as she guides, advises, holds you accountable, and sometimes corrects. The goal is to grow you in godliness, not to wound you.
Be caring and understanding - You may be tempted to think your mentor has it all together, but we all have defeats, struggles, insecurities, and hardships we are facing. Find ways to care for and encourage her too. When you call to ask for help, remember to ask how she’s doing as well.
Be prayerful - You will both need prayer along the way. Each time you meet, you will be sharing prayer requests — this is one of the primary ways we care for each other as we journey through mentorship.
Be willing to pay it forward - As you grow, there is always someone you will be one step ahead of. The Gospel wouldn’t be where it is today without the disciples who paid it forward. Consider who you will influence with what you have to offer.
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