Mentorship

According to the Cambridge dictionary, mentorship is described as “the activity of giving a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time.” Throughout the bible we see different instances of mentorship - Saul and David, Moses and Joshua, and the famed Elijah and Elisha, among others. The bible is in full support of raising up the next generation to carry on the legacy of Christendom until that faithful day of Jesus’ return. Despite many grievances in today’s church with leadership - the lack thereof, and the many scandals that arise from such ranks, mentorship is still very important. We are still in need of shepherds to guide the sheep in the pastures, if not, the sheep will go astray or even worse, be devoured by wolves.

Why is mentorship important?

1. Because God commissioned it:

Titus 2:3-5

 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

1. Because Jesus did it:

Matthew 10:5-7

“ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

1. Because wisdom is needed to walk in purpose: 

Proverbs 4:7

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Who should be mentored?

1. The Willing (Proverbs 19:20)

You must be willing to be mentored. Sometimes one may want something but are unwilling to receive it. There are many who want to be mentored but are unwilling to accept what comes with it - accountability, time, work etc. 

1. The Submitted (Ephesians 5:21, Hebrews 13:17)

The very essence of mentorship is being submitted. You will find that those who are rebellious in nature will be the hardest to mentor. Humility is a key ingredient in mentorship and one who truly wants to be mentored must be submissive. This does not mean being led blindly and becoming a slave to those above you, but walking with grace and humility and in the will of the Lord. 

1. The Sons/Daughters (Matthew 28:19-20)

Those who are sons/daughter should be mentored; these are planted and will sit at the feet of their mentor. An orphan is a wanderer and people with that persona tend to hop from person to person to feed whatever need there is for that season. Mentorship can be a long journey of ups and downs, not only in your own life but between you and your mentor. Therefore, one must be willing to ride out the storms and trust the process. 

In a time where rebellion is celebrated as liberation, we must be careful as believers not to get sucked in the wormhole of what the world deems ‘normal.’ Mentorship is biblical, it is necessary in a time of man creating their own narrative of God. There are so many lost, and are taken advantage of because they lack proper mentorship and guidance, but this is the season to get it right.