Finding a mentor (1)
2020-12-032 Timothy 2:2 NLT
Churches can have amazing spaces to worship in, contemporary websites and social media feeds, and all kinds of technology to support their mission, but it’s the people that really bring God’s Word to life. ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us’ (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV), which means it’s important that we’re constantly looking for ways to improve ourselves so we can be the best examples of God’s ambassadors that it’s possible for us to be. One of the ways we can do this is by finding a mentor.
A mentor is someone who teaches us, supports us, holds us accountable, helps us to see where we need to improve, and encourages us to grow. The apostle Paul set us a great example of what to look for in a mentor.
1) He was a good role-model. He said: ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example for Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV). He put his teaching and advice into practice in his own life. We should be wary of someone who expects us to follow their advice without following it through for themselves.
2) He wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. Paul wrote: ‘I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling’ (1 Corinthians 2:3 NIV). We should look for a mentor who isn’t afraid to be open and honest about their own flaws and weaknesses – we can learn a lot from the way they handle them.
3) He could see the potential in people. Paul recognised and encouraged Timothy’s gift for teaching: ‘Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on.’ We need a mentor who can draw out our potential and encourage us to use our gifts for God’s kingdom.