Mentorship TIme

5-20-2010

Mentorship Time

Mentoring another individual is an absolute blessing, but it takes a lot of time and energy. John Maxwell has a great five step approach to mentoring: Model, Mentor, Monitor, Motivate, and Multiply. In other words, we must first model exactly what we expect someone else to be, do, and say. Second, we must mentor by not only explaining the how of each step, but the why. After doing what needs to be done, we do the next step of monitoring. This is where we let them do the task, while we simply watch and instruct. The fourth step speaks for itself, and the multiply simply means to teach others how to mentor others. After all, the best way to learn something is to teach it! As you see here, mentoring takes work, yet many of us miss so many mentoring moments.

In Philippians chapter 2 verse 19, Paul speaks of young Timothy, one of the young leaders in the church. In verse 22, Paul says, “But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” This gives us a glimpse that Paul was training Timothy to carry out his ministry. Every great leader was at some point in time a great follower, so who did you follow or are you following, and who are you leading?

Backing up to verses 20-21, Paul comments, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” In other words, allow time to mentor others. Don’t keep such a jam packed schedule that you don’t have time to mentor those needing mentoring, or care for those needing your care. Do not allow your schedule to keep you from doing God’s work!

Application:
1.Read Philippians Chapter 2:19-30
2.Who can you mentor? Are you prepared to lead others?
3.Where can you carve out some time each day to focus on helping, mentoring, and praying for others?