"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

There is an extensive history of mentorship within the Christian faith. It comes from the way of life shown by Jesus and his disciples. Some churches call their mentorship programs, discipleship. For this blog, I’ll be using the word mentor, just know that you can apply all of this to a discipleship idea as well. 

There is something so special about mentorship! If you have a mentor, it’s like having a wise friend who has walked the path before you, to offer you advice, a listening ear and guidance. If you are a mentor, it’s a chance to share what you have learned and to be a help and support for someone else. Having both a mentor and a mentee in your life, helps this journey to feel less alone, to make a difference and to create a community. Mentorship might be one of the missing pieces of your faith journey.

Over the years, I have had several mentors and been a mentor to several people! Each has had their own specific role and place and time in my life. I am beyond grateful for all of them! (If any of you are reading this, I am sending love and gratitude!). I remember one specific mentor, she had kids, I was still single. She had a whole history of faith, mine felt shaky. She would make us coffee and we would sit in her foyer. We would chat and share life. Her wisdom and insight still shapes my life today! Mentorship can be such a life-giving opportunity for all involved. 

Mentorship Matters

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” – Phil Collins

God never meant us to walk this journey alone. We live in such an isolated culture these days. Loneliness is an epidemic and we begin to feel like we have to figure it all alone. Mentorship can be one way to create community, to invite people to live alongside us and to support one another. 

Mentorship can:

• Be for a reason or a season… for a short time or over many years.

• Help you learn from other’s mistakes or share your own. 

• Be a resource of wisdom and encouragement. 

• Strengthen your faith and allow you to encourage others. 

• Help you to create community and support! 

How To Be a Good Mentor

“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.” — Denzel Washington

Regardless of your age, you can probably be a mentor! There is always someone looking up to you - professionally, personally, in faith, in your hobbies. Being a mentor doesn’t mean that you have to have all the answers- it just means that you are willing to share your journey, listen to them, and be available. Here are a few key things to be a good mentor:

• Be Approachable - Let others know that you are available or look for opportunities where you could be a mentor. 

• Listen More Than Speaking - Sometimes the people around us just need a person who will listen, empathize and encourage without judgement.

• Pray - Lift up your mentees in prayer, pray for your time together, ask for God’s guidance in what to say or share. In other words, just keep praying!

• Be honest and humble - Don’t just share your victories, be ok with sharing your mistakes or struggles. It’s all part of the journey!

How To Find A Good Mentor

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” — Oprah Winfrey

If you wish you had a mentor in your life, don’t be afraid to ask! Mentorship can happen naturally, but it doesn’t always. So be willing to step out of your comfort zone, and ask! The worst they could say is no. Here are a few things to consider when you start looking for a mentor:

• Pray - The best place to start! Ask God who might make a great mentor, or pray about what you should look out for.

• Look around - some churches or bible studies might have the mentor you are looking for! Or you might even be able to sign up for a mentorship program.

• Be willing to ask! - I know I said it once, but I’ll say it again. All of my good mentors came from me asking. 

• Be a blessing - Don’t just take from your mentor! Encourage them, appreciate them, and remember mentorship is a two-way street. 
  

Whether you are a mentor, or being mentored yourself, this relationship can be such a blessing! 

Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. - Psalm 119:24

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

QUESTIONS AND REFLECTIONS 

One of my favorite things to do is to ponder, reflect and journal, it gives me time to think through all the various aspects of life. May you find time in your day or your week, to sit and reflect. You can use these questions as a starting place for your reflection, or just an addition to your normal journal rhythm.

1. Have you ever had a mentor in your life? How did the relationship impact you? 

2. Have you ever mentored someone else? How did that relationship impact you? 

3. Who could you offer to mentor, or who could you ask to mentor you? How could those relationships impact you? 

4. Where have you seen God at work in your life lately?

5. What’s one thing from this blog that you want to use or put into action? 

"If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before." — J Loren Norris

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22