Question 1

What is mentoring? How might I mentor someone?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 17:9-13Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.Exodus 24:13So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.Exodus 33:11Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.Joshua 1:1-2After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.”Mentoring is more than just teaching; it is sharing life together. Moses and Joshua are examples of effective mentoring. First, Moses oversaw Joshua’s active involvement in the work. Second, Moses welcomed Joshua into his own spiritual arena, even allowing Joshua to be with him during his most significant experiences with God. Then when Moses died, Joshua was prepared to assume responsibility as a faithful, fully equipped, credible leader.Matthew 16:13-17When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”Luke 10:1, 17-18, 20The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. . . .When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! . . .But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”Wise mentors do not direct every single move of their mentees. Instead, they teach their mentees to think and act for themselves. The mentor provides feedback and encouragement on progress, but the mentee does the work.2 Timothy 2:2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.Mentors should have multiple generations in mind. Paul instructs Timothy to think not only about those he is teaching but also about those they will eventually teach. From Paul to Timothy, from Timothy to his students, then from those students to others represent four generations! Such long-range vision for changing lives is imperative for mentors who want to make a lasting impact.

Question 2

Why is mentoring important?

Accepted Answer

Titus 2:1-8As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.Mentoring is important because mentoring those who are younger and less experienced can help them learn how to live with integrity and godliness.1 Kings 19:16“Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.”2 Kings 2:1-2When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel.2 Kings 2:9-10When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”No one will live forever, but the work of the Lord continues from generation to generation. Mentoring is important because it ensures the continuation of God’s work from one generation to the next. The Lord instructed Elijah to prepare his successor Elisha over an extended time. Elisha was loyal to Elijah to the very end. By then, Elisha was eager to assume his role in God’s work.