Why is mentoring important?

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.