The Legacy of Mentoring

By: Joe Worrall

1 Corinthians 4:17

For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Jesus Christ, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

The word “mentor” is derived from the Greek word meaning “enduring”. It refers to a special relationship between an older person who shares his wisdom and a younger person. One of the best examples of a mentor in the Bible is Paul, who was Timothy’s mentor, and Jesus, the greatest mentor who ever lived — he poured out his life into the twelve apostles and their legacy continues today.

Most of us have memories of a teacher or coach who made a significant impact on us growing up, but as adults, not all of us have had or been a mentor. As we grow as Christians, it is desirable to experience both roles. First, it is important to intentionally seek a wise and experienced person who can help you grow as a Christian. Start by praying and ask God to bring the right person into your life. Initially, when I prayed for a mentor, God gave me a last name, but when I talked to the man I thought God meant, I realized that it wasn’t going to work with him, and God actually had someone else in mind with the same last name; a man with whom I had been working for several years!

It is equally important for us to be willing to mentor a younger person. You may already have a connection with someone at your office, and God may have put it on your heart to serve as more than a manager or coworker to that person. You should be willing to be available to share what God has taught you with that person. Our God is a relational God; he loves us and wants us to show that love to others. Mentoring is a good way to do that.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Are you willing to accept God’s wisdom through another person? Are you willing to impart his wisdom to others?