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A mentor keeps you on your path to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit [teach] these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2
Every superstar needs a coach. The top Olympic athletes have coaches, top singers worldwide have voice coaches, top ballplayers have coaches in their specialized positions, and the top CEOs have business and life coaches. Coaches and mentors help you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses while identifying your uniquenesses.
You will find the principle of coaching or mentorship is found throughout the Bible. Moses mentored Joshua. Samuel mentored David. David mentored Solomon. Elijah mentored Elisha.
Timothy was mentored and coached by the Apostle Paul. He told Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit [teach] these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) As Paul mentored Timothy, Paul expected Timothy to go and mentor faithful men who would mentor and coach other faithful men.
While I was writing lessons and speaking for Promise Keepers, the men were encouraged to find for them a “Paul,” “Barnabas,” and a “Timothy.” A Paul who would teach them. A Barnabas to share truths with each other. And a Timothy to mentor and train. When they are around a “Paul,” they are to listen more than talk. Around a “Barnabas,” they should talk back and forth, sharing truths with one another as “iron sharpens iron.” When around their “Timothy,” they were to speak more, giving truths to add value to their “Timothy’s” life.
God expects nothing less of faithful men and women today because that’s how you grow in discipleship. The spiritual coaches who have mentored me over my lifetime and helped me grow in different areas of my life are benefiting you right now.
The Bible says that God has given five different kinds of “coaches” for his church. Those coaches worked toward a specific goal: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints [so His people would learn…and grow strong] for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
What was the purpose that these different coaches were working towards? They’re working “so God’s people would gain truth . . . and . . . grow strong in the Lord.” Anyone who wants to learn, grow, and be strong needs a mentor. And this includes you and me!
A mentor is a spiritually mature friend who holds you accountable by being honest with you pointing out sins and weaknesses while affirming areas where you have strengths and are growing. They help you stay on the path to fulfill God’s purpose for you.
If you sincerely want to make the most of your life, you need a coach or mentor to help you fulfill your purpose. They’re not required to be perfect. Being one step ahead of you is what mattered. Then, while you are growing, you can be a mentor to someone else!
Making It Happen
- If you find it challenging to think of someone who might be a mentor to you, then surround yourself more with people at least one step ahead of you in faith. Remember, it is wise to have a guy mentor a guy and a gal mentor a gal. It will reduce unnecessary potential temptations and distractions.
- What do you fear about having a mentor? What should you do with those fears?
- Invest a minute in prayer right now. Ask the Lord to help you make it happen by taking the next step in finding a mentor. Then, ask Him to give you the faith and wisdom to mentor someone else effectively.
*If you are looking for a mentor, let me know. I have some ideas to share with you!
