“First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

(1 Kings 22:5 NIV)

Mentoring

How to Shepherd the Sheep

by June Hunt

When you became a Christian, you became a new person. You left behind your old way of doing things and found yourself being transformed by God’s Spirit to live a radically new life!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Even so, most of us need help understanding how to live the life God offers. God recognizes that we need help in order to grow. One method He uses is mentoring or discipleship. Mentoring occurs when a more mature Christian trains and teaches others who are less mature. When we are new in the faith, we are often considered to be “baby Christians” and constantly have need to lean on others to grow. If we have been “slow to learn,” we need to be moved from feeding on milk to feeding on meat or solid food. Helping to make that transition is a significant role of a mentor.

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

(Hebrews 5:12–14)

I. Definitions

A. What Is a Disciple and What Is a Mentor?

• A disciple is one who learns to follow the teaching and training of another.1

— The Greek word for “disciple” is mathetes, which means “a learner.”2

— The derivative word math originally meant “to teach, learn or disciple.”

• A mentor builds a relationship with a less knowledgeable disciple in order to help the disciple grow in theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding.

— The Greek word for “mentor” is didaskalos, which means “teacher.”3

— The goal of the mathetes (student) is to be like the teacher.

— The carpenter’s mathetes (apprentice) learns his carpentry by example and experience.

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

(Luke 6:40)

B. What Is Mentoring?

• Mentoring is the commitment of one person to equip another for personal growth and ministry.

• Mentoring equips disciples by means of teaching and training—and by example.

• Mentoring involves …

… not just teaching, but training4

… not just facts, but philosophy

… not just formality, but fellowship

… not just information, but transformation

… not just learning, but living

… not just parroting the teacher, but perpetuating

C. What Are Common Goals for Growth?5

• How to have a regular prayer life

• How to have an effective Bible study

• How to memorize and apply Scripture

• How to have a biblical worldview

• How to manage your money biblically

• How to have unshakable faith in God

• How to triumph over temptation

• How to share your faith with others

• How to be single and satisfied

• How to ...