“Mentoring 101”

Who am I mentoring?

2 Sam 5/1Chron 11&12 David has endeared himself to many men, and these chapters reveal to us how the people saw David:  “We are your bone and your flesh.” [1Chron 11:1] In addition, the Lord God said to David, “you shall shepherd Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.” [1Chron 11:2]

David’s success came because of those who were part and parcel of his beginning kingdom. He was great because of the men who surrounded him and helped him win the battles as they removed the enemies in the land one city or province at a time. In doing so, these men also earned the title of David’s mighty men “who gave him strong support in his kingdom” and a place in history. [1Chron 11:10]

Translate that into your life.  Each of us is successful because of others who have helped us. And the same is true in our walk with Christ. We are only as successful as the prayers and help of others as they led us, guided, and mentored us. Just as David had his mighty men, Christ had his twelve disciples.  Just as you had someone who led you to the Savior and mentored or discipled you, it is now your turn to find others whom you can lead and guide.

Stop and give credit to those who have walked your path with you in prayer and sharing. Then ask: who am I mentoring or discipling?

Words and Words —

Words have consequences

Advent #11 Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Paul encouraged Timothy to disciple others. As he is actively discipling, he is entrusting what he had heard in the presence of many others. Also, he is discipling another so that they may disciple others, thus living out Psalm 78. “tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts..” BUT—-there is a cautionary point to be heard in his directives:

  1. Be gentle as you disciple.
  2. Please don’t waste time in frivolous arguments, for they serve no purpose.
  3. Be ready instead to answer every man who asks you about the hope you have, and do so with gentleness, which is a Fruit of the Spirit.

In this way, you may be the catalyst to turn one who is away from God back to Him in repentance and then knowledge of the truth. Those who are wandering will then come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil who wants to keep them captive. 

Paul reminds Timothy and us that a gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.[Pro 15:1]

Who has God placed in your path that needs the most important message in the world? Will you pray that you are an apt discipler demonstrating kindness, gentleness, and patience so that they either come or return to Lord Jesus Christ? 

Discipling 101: Come and See

john 4 ron sumners well2Jesus gave us a mandate: “GO and MAKE Disciples.” To teach us what he meant and the “how to” He went to the little town in Samaria and there he shared Himself as “Living Water.” He met made a new disciple; simply known as the Woman at the Well. She not only became a disciple but she began the discipling process by telling others about her experience with Christ.  She told the villagers  “come and see….”

Listen to the villager’s words after she shared the change in her life: “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.” And that is what a discipler is to do today as they meet new people who are unchurched or churched but do not know. She was the presenter of the words of life but they made a decision for themselves.

Don’t you wonder what happened after Jesus stayed there for three days? Where did the words of life go as they and other disciples of Christ shared their life altering experiences that came to them as they accepted Christ as their personal savior? They were sent around the world and you and I are the recipients. Jesus said “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness” and that is the premise where we must begin. We are the “now” generation to go and tell, to say “come and see…” in order that we may be fulfilling the “go and make disciples” command.

As you begin with your new disciple you must, as Matthew recorded; have a hunger and a thirst for God’s Word just as Jeremiah. “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;” As we begin our journey with a new disciple we first say: “Come and See.” He told me everything I ever did. We want our new disciple to come and see the  Christ and from there to plant a hunger in the hearts of those to whom we are sent. Our prayer and our desire is that they too find God’s Word a joy and a delight.

The how to is simple but must be determined by you. Next time we will discuss training the disciple One2One.

Photo Credit: Ron Sumners/Dreamstime.com

 

 

 

 

 

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