Mentoring paradigms reprise 2 (30/1/26)

Chan says that the world focuses on our affluence/acquisitions (what we have) our associations (who we know), our appearance (how we look) our abilities (what we can do) and our accomplishments (what we have done).

 

We can orientate life around the external (the red bar) or the internal (the blue bar). The red bar is the default way of the world; the blue bar 'is the discipleship way of God'. We need both so that the stature and substance of a person can reflect their true status in life.

 

Red focuses on externals. Blue focuses on the inner-life.

Red values accomplishments. Blue values authenticity.

Red values performance results. Blue values growth and learning.

Red – competence first. Blue – character first.

Red – doing good with the aim of looking good. Blue – doing good flows out of being good.

Red – display: outward show. Blue – depth: inward security.

Red esteems status. Blue esteems substance.

Red – competitive and boastful. Blue – genuinely celebrates others.

Red craves attention/approval. Blue is secure and self-effacing.

Red – insecure without limelight. Blue – quiet confidence/security.

Red – stressed and flustered. Blue – steady and calm.

Red reacts to criticism. Blue responds to criticism.

Red cannot let go of control. Blue empowers others.

Red – restlessness in spirit. Blue – restedness of spirit.

Red – default way of the world. Blue – discipleship way of God

 

There must be a balance between the two in our lives. Competence and accomplishment must not be emphaised at the expense of character and authenticity.

Jesus perfectly balances the bars. 

 

In Luke 10:17-20 Jesus redirects joy away from outcomes and back to identity and grace.

When we abide, we will bear fruit (John 15:1-8) 

"Faithfulness belongs to disciples; fruitfulness belongs to the Father."

 

How do we pursue internal development without making this into a red bar effort? 

1. Faithfulness is the target, not growth. Growth is a consequence, not the goal.

2. Measure involvement with spiritual disciplines, repentance and teachability, obedience to truth and change of character. Not prominence, ministry and KPIs. We must not reward visible competence over invisible character.

3. We must not be impatient. God is committed to depth, not speed. Formation can be slow, uneven and unimpressive. 

4. Our language must emphasize faithfulness and intimacy with God, not progress and achievement milestones..

5. We separate worth from effectiveness. We value people for who they are, not by what they do or how they do it.

 

 "We must pursue the red bars wholeheartedly, celebrate the blue bars gratefully, and never confuse the two"