What Does The Bible Say About Mentoring?
Mentoring is an important concept in Christianity that traces back to biblical times. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible encourages mentoring relationships between believers in order to grow in faith and knowledge of God.
Both the Old and New Testaments provide examples of mentoring relationships.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the biblical basis for mentoring, examine mentoring relationships in the Bible, identify the qualities of a good mentor and mentee according to scripture, and provide actionable tips for how you can find a mentor or be a mentor yourself.
The Biblical Basis for Mentoring
Mentoring is God’s design for growth
The Bible shows that mentoring is an integral part of God’s design for how we grow in faith and maturity. In Titus 2, Paul instructs mature believers to teach and mentor younger believers: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.
They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:3-5).
This pattern of spiritual mentoring between generations is God’s design for passing on truth and nurturing growth.
Spiritual parenting as a model for mentoring
Throughout Scripture, mature believers are called to spiritually parent younger believers in the faith. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15).
He takes responsibility for nurturing their faith like a father cares for his children. Similarly, Peter instructs fellow elders to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Peter 5:2). This spiritual parenting involves teaching, guiding, protecting and correcting – all aspects of mentoring.
Jesus as the ultimate mentor
Jesus himself perfectly modeled mentoring during his earthly ministry. He invested deeply in his twelve disciples – teaching them, challenging them, correcting them, setting an example for them, sending them out to minister, and entrusting them with carrying on his mission after his ascension.
Jesus patiently guided his disciples from spiritual immaturity to becoming the pillars of the early church. He adapted his mentoring approach to each individual and met them where they were. Jesus is the ultimate mentor from whom all Christian mentors can draw wisdom and best practices.
Examples of Mentoring in the Bible
Moses and Joshua
Moses mentored his young assistant Joshua. As Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua observed his mentor’s godly leadership and grew into a capable leader himself. When it came time for Moses to pass the baton, Joshua was ready to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Exodus 17:8-16, Numbers 27:12-23).
Naomi and Ruth
Naomi mentored her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. After both women lost their husbands, destitute Naomi guided Ruth to a new life and religion in Israel. Ruth clung to her mentor, eventually meeting and marrying Boaz. Naomi rejoiced over Ruth’s happiness after such tragedy (Ruth 1-4).
Eli and Samuel
The priest Eli mentored young Samuel in the temple. As a small child, Samuel heard God calling him but didn’t recognize His voice yet. Eli patiently taught the boy to listen for and obey the Lord. Samuel grew up to become a great prophet under his mentor’s guidance (1 Samuel 3).
Elijah and Elisha
The bold prophet Elijah mentored his understudy Elisha. Elisha left everything to follow and serve his mentor. He watched as God took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind and inherited his mentor’s spirit and prophetic mantle (1 Kings 19, 2 Kings 2).
Paul and Timothy
The apostle Paul mentored his young disciple Timothy. Paul took Timothy under his wing during his second missionary journey. He invited Timothy along on other journeys, allowing him to observe firsthand. Paul wrote letters to encourage Timothy in leadership.
Their mentor-mentee relationship was fruitful, with Timothy becoming a key early church leader (Acts 16-20, 1 & 2 Timothy).
Qualities of a Godly Mentor
Deep spiritual maturity
A godly mentor should have a deep foundation in their spiritual life and relationship with God (1 Timothy 4:12). This includes having discipline in Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and living out one’s faith.
As John Maxwell stated, “Mentoring is a spiritual reproduction – one life influencing another.” Without personal spiritual depth and maturity, one cannot effectively guide others in their spiritual journeys.
Wisdom and discernment
In addition to spiritual maturity, a godly mentor needs wisdom and discernment to provide sound counsel (Proverbs 11:14). They must have good judgment and the ability to carefully weigh situations and advice seeker’s needs to offer tailor-made guidance.
As the Bible says in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Mentors should seek God for insight and discretion.
Commitment to developing others
A genuine desire to see others grow in their faith and calling is essential for mentoring. As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We cared so much for you that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
Good mentors are wholeheartedly invested in helping their mentees succeed. They take time to listen, share experiences, provide feedback, and connect people to opportunities for growth. According to The Gospel Coalition, this selfless commitment marks true spiritual mentoring.
Authenticity and integrity
Finally, godly mentors should model integrity and sincerity in how they live (Titus 2:7). Rather than projecting a fake image, they are authentic about their journey, including failures and lessons learned. This breeds trust and accountability in mentoring relationships.
As research shows, integrity and authenticity are top qualities seekers want in a mentor.
Qualities of a Godly Mentee
Eagerness to learn
A godly mentee should have a passionate desire to grow in their faith and knowledge of God’s word. They recognize that they have much to learn about following Jesus, and eagerly seek out mentors who can guide them in the right direction (Proverbs 9:9).
Their appetite for Biblical wisdom compels them to soak up all the insight they can from mature Christians. As opposed to prideful individuals who think they have it all figured out, humble mentees know they have blind spots and deficiencies that need correction.
Their eagerness to learn manifests itself in attentiveness during mentorship sessions, thoughtfully considering and applying the mentor’s advice, and asking questions to gain clarification. Eager mentees arrive equipped with pens and notebooks to jot down notes, not just to check off a box but because they treasure their mentor’s godly counsel.
Humility
Alongside eagerness, mentees should have a spirit of humility (1 Peter 5:5-6). This means:
- Acknowledging they don’t have it all together
- Being teachable rather than resistant or defensive when given feedback
- Not thinking too highly of themselves
- Being willing to complete menial tasks their mentor suggests
- Asking for help when needed
Rather than stubbornly sticking to their own opinions, they should defer to their mentor’s greater spiritual maturity and wisdom. Humility enables them to recognize their mentor has insights they lack.
Trust and respect for mentor
Godly mentees have a genuine respect for their mentor’s spiritual authority and trust their guidance is correct. They do not relate in a peer-to-peer manner but understand the mentor has oversight of their growth. This manifests itself in:
- Opening up and being transparent about spiritual weaknesses/struggles
- Not questioning the mentor’s advice or methods
- Believing their mentor has their best interest in mind
- Not shopping around for a mentor who will tell them what they want to hear
Trust is displayed in following through with the mentor’s suggestions, even if it involves discomfort or admitting fault. Respect shows up as speaking highly of the mentor to others.
Commitment to personal growth
Effective mentees have a dedication to maturing in Christ-likeness, not just gaining factual knowledge. They exhibit:
- A desire to grow in character and wisdom, not just intellect
- Spiritual self-awareness and honesty in acknowledging blind spots
- Initiative in applying the mentor’s advice to their life
- Perseverance through seasons of difficulty, confusion, or doubt
- A long-term perspective on the transformation process
They understand mentorship is not a quick fix but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus. Their commitment shows up in consistency meeting with their mentor and following through with growth plans.
Tips for Finding a Mentor and Being a Mentor
Look to mature spiritual leaders
When seeking a mentor, look for someone who exhibits spiritual maturity and lives out their faith daily (1 Timothy 4:12). Seasoned believers who have walked with God for years can provide wisdom and perspective.
Consider approaching pastors, small group leaders, ministry volunteers, professors, or older friends at church. Focus on those who possess discernment, offer biblical counsel, model servitude and selflessness, and spur you towards Christlikeness.
Arrange an introductory meeting to assess compatibility before committing to the mentoring relationship long-term.
Define your goals and needs
Before beginning the mentoring process, spend time identifying your objectives and areas where you need counsel. Ask yourself targeted questions like: What knowledge or skills do I hope to gain? What spiritual struggles or vocational decisions am I currently facing?
Do I need assistance developing godly habits? Conveying specific personal growth goals and issues to your mentor early on allows them to provide tailored, relevant support. Maintain realistic expectations – an effective mentor guides you to solutions rather than solving all problems themselves.
Arrange regular check-ins to communicate progress and solicit feedback.
Take initiative and ask directly
Rather than passively waiting for a mentor, proactively seek out relationships with mature believers you admire. Directly asking someone, “Would you consider mentoring me?” exhibits courage and focus. When making the request, explain why you approached them specifically and share 1-2 initial topics to discuss.
If they cannot make the commitment currently, ask for referrals to other potential mentors. Taking the first step to ask for guidance demonstrates humility and a readiness to learn.
Commit to consistent meetings and communication
Once a mentorship is established, commit to consistency in order to foster openness and understanding. Arrange a standing weekly or monthly meeting time, respecting your mentor’s availability. Reliably showing up for appointments and consistently following through on commitments builds trust and accountability.
Additionally, maintain open communication channels like phone, email or text for questions or urgent matters arising between sessions. Consistency in the mentoring relationships provides needed structure and support to catalyze growth.
Reciprocate through mutual encouragement
While mentors impart wisdom, mentees also encourage their guides. Offer prayers for your mentor and express heartfelt gratitude for their sacrifice of time and effort. Ask how you can best support them in return or look for opportunities to bless them tangibly.
Checking in about not just your own struggles but their well-being demonstrates care and compassion. Mutually pouring into one another’s lives fosters deeper bonds and reflects Christlike love. Approach the relationship as a two-way street rather than one-sided receiving.
Conclusion
Mentoring is a beautiful picture of the Christian life as we grow together through discipleship. The Bible provides a solid foundation for mentoring relationships that help us become more like Christ. Whether you are seeking a mentor or looking to mentor someone yourself, may the biblical principles and practical tips in this article equip you to dive into this vital relational investment for God’s glory.
