Called to Mentor

October 06, 2022

Called to Mentor

By Katie Pearson

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,] who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Regardless of your age, if you are a Christian, then you are called to mentor others. Reliable, Christ-centered relationships are one of the primary ways God transforms his people. Whether that excites you or terrifies you, it’s part of God’s plan that we invest ourselves in others.

Simply put, mentoring means developing a teaching relationship to help others see what it looks like to follow Jesus. This requires imitating Christ in all we do and becoming love as the foundation of who we are. Why? Because we can’t teach what we don’t know, and our example speaks much louder than our words.

To teach and relate well, we must prioritize our maturity in Christ. Here are some guidelines taken from Paul’s writing:

Die to self. Seek God’s truth above your own.
Know your true identity. Stop trying to prove yourself—you are an adopted child of the King!
Stay humble. Keep growing.
Practice integrity. Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking.
Embrace community. Mature leaders and mentors rely on each other for accountability and support. They practice humility and have fun together while taking their faith seriously.
Empower others. Seek to help those you mentor exceed your own maturity by equipping, encouraging, and educating them with God’s truth. Believe in them when they can’t believe in themselves.

Finally, know that God wants you to be authentically you. You don’t have to role-play or pretend to have advanced expertise to inspire others to “excel in everything” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Mature mentors are secure in Christ and firm in their faith (Philippians 1:27). They aren’t trying to self-promote because they are so excited about participating in God’s projects and purposes! It’s a high calling, and yet God extends it to everyone!

Reflection: Who has God placed in your life that you feel led to mentor? Remember, age isn’t the most important criterion—maturity is what matters in mentoring. Walk alongside those younger in the faith, and offer your life experiences, both positive and negative, to point them to God’s greater purposes. Remember, there is a difference between a good story and a God story. The former might be exciting but lacks God’s redeeming power. A God story always encourages faith, hope, and love! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Follow the ancient way of the Psalms and find the life God has for you. A model for vibrant worship, the Psalms provide practical wisdom to traverse the circuitous path of life with trust and hope. Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms traces our spiritual walk with God—from discovery and delight, through doubt and disappointment, into joyful confidence. Whether used for individual or group study, Pilgrim’s Path is for everyone who seeks to know and love God more and find life in him.