Sutdy `22: What is mentoring? (10/8/18)
We looked back at the previous study we did 2 weeks ago on mentoring to remind ourselves of the broad definition we used then: "a means of disciplemaking that involved a commitment for a mentor to walk alongside a mentoree." Our study book identifies different ways of mentoring, although most of us would say that 'passive/remote' mentoring without the active knowledge of the mentor is just having a good role model. So disciplemaking is the broad effort, mentoring of different types a subset of that, and intentional discipling a subset of mentoring. The practical implications of different mentoring roles are that: 1) we may 'mentor' someone all unawares, which is encouraging but a little alarming 2) we can mentor in less intense and more specific ways than 'discipling'. 3) This means that we can try out mentoring in little ways before growing in self-understanding and spiritual maturity such that we are prepared to be a discipler.
We looked at the memory verse for today (1 Cor 11:1 - "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ") and noted that the Greek word 'mimetes' is found also in 1 Cor 4:16, 1 Thes 1:6 and Heb 6:12. The latter verse is especially illuminating because it encourages us to imitate other faithful and patient believers, not particular individuals (like Paul). We imitate our mentors' spiritual focus on God's glory and evangelistic zeal (1 Co 10:31-11:1), their spiritual, fatherly care (1 Cor 4:16) and their faith and joy in affliction (1 Th 1:6).
A mentor may not necessarily have specialized knowledge or experiences to guide a mentoree through particular situations (e.g. LGBT, science vs. religion/apologetics), yet the spiritual devotion (faith and patience, Heb 6:12) and commitment of the mentor is the core character that makes for successful mentoring. The mentor can point the way with books and other resources, and walk together with the mentoree in the journey. We think of what we ourselves would like to see in our mentor, and we should seek to "go and do likewise".
We also looked at Paul and Barnabas (Ac 9:26-27, 11:25-26). We see Barnabas as sponsor/mentor's actions: "took", "brought", "declared", "looked for", "found", "brought" Paul. He brought a more brilliant man who in the end surpassed him in prominence (c.f. the order of their names in Acts - from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas"). A mentor is not jealous of the success of his mentoree. I mentioned the role of William Farel in bringing John Calvin to Geneva. Nobody remembers Farel nowadays, but Calvin (and Hobbs!) is universally known.
Paul's mentoring style was characterized by integrity/blameless conduct, fatherly responsibility, intimacy and authorit0y('guides' can ditch us, but 'fathers' do not) and joy and affection for his spiritual children (1 Th 2:10-13, 3:10). His intense prayer was not primarily motivated by the spiritual lack of the Thessalonians, but by his personal concern and pleasure in their faith.
We looked at the memory verse for today (1 Cor 11:1 - "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ") and noted that the Greek word 'mimetes' is found also in 1 Cor 4:16, 1 Thes 1:6 and Heb 6:12. The latter verse is especially illuminating because it encourages us to imitate other faithful and patient believers, not particular individuals (like Paul). We imitate our mentors' spiritual focus on God's glory and evangelistic zeal (1 Co 10:31-11:1), their spiritual, fatherly care (1 Cor 4:16) and their faith and joy in affliction (1 Th 1:6).
A mentor may not necessarily have specialized knowledge or experiences to guide a mentoree through particular situations (e.g. LGBT, science vs. religion/apologetics), yet the spiritual devotion (faith and patience, Heb 6:12) and commitment of the mentor is the core character that makes for successful mentoring. The mentor can point the way with books and other resources, and walk together with the mentoree in the journey. We think of what we ourselves would like to see in our mentor, and we should seek to "go and do likewise".
We also looked at Paul and Barnabas (Ac 9:26-27, 11:25-26). We see Barnabas as sponsor/mentor's actions: "took", "brought", "declared", "looked for", "found", "brought" Paul. He brought a more brilliant man who in the end surpassed him in prominence (c.f. the order of their names in Acts - from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas"). A mentor is not jealous of the success of his mentoree. I mentioned the role of William Farel in bringing John Calvin to Geneva. Nobody remembers Farel nowadays, but Calvin (and Hobbs!) is universally known.
Paul's mentoring style was characterized by integrity/blameless conduct, fatherly responsibility, intimacy and authorit0y('guides' can ditch us, but 'fathers' do not) and joy and affection for his spiritual children (1 Th 2:10-13, 3:10). His intense prayer was not primarily motivated by the spiritual lack of the Thessalonians, but by his personal concern and pleasure in their faith.
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