“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.”
1 Timothy 1:18-19 NIV
In 1 Timothy 1, we get a glimpse of the relationship between Apostle Paul and Timothy. Paul calls Timothy son. Now, Timothy was not the biological son of Paul, but Paul saw him as a son. And, Timothy saw Paul as a father and more importantly spiritual mentor. What is a mentor (spiritual mentor)? “A mentor is someone who passes truths on to his [her] student. In this rushed century we are inclined to forget this. We need a mentor’s help with our reading, thinking, and our work. We need someone to help us see the bigger picture. Someone, who through his [her] experience will pass knowledge and wisdom on to his learners in a way they will understand. Like Jesus taught His disciples.” (Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. March 24) Do you have anyone like this in your life? If so, what made you reach out to this person? What made you believe this person could mentor you? I believe that a good mentor is set apart by a certain set of traits/qualities:
A good mentor is:
An Example
When looking for a mentor, you will want to find someone that you aspire to be like. Their life should be filled with spiritual fruit. Matthew 7:16 NIV says, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Is this someone, who is strong and mature in their faith? “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7 NASB
Wise
A good mentor will have plenty of wisdom, knowledge, and experienced advice to offer you. Proverbs 13:20 NIV says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” However, as a mentee, you must be willing to accept not only your mentor’s advice, but their rebukes. “… rebuke the wise and they will love you.Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” -Proverbs 9:8-9 NIV “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15 NIV
Trustworthy
When seeking out a mentor, you should look for someone you know that you can trust. 1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV says “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Is this a person you can trust?
An Overcomer
A good mentor is someone, who has experienced failure. They have made mistakes and have regrets. This is a person who has fallen down, but has gotten up stronger. Micah 7:8 NIV says, “… Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” This person will tell you where the pitfalls are on your path. “Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?” -Isaiah 42:23 NLT As a mentee, you must be completely open to and willing to learn from failures of your mentor.
A Visionary
A good mentor is a visionary. This person has the ability to see your potential. This person can see beyond the surface. In 1 Timothy 1:18 NIV, Paul reminds Timothy of the prophecies made about his future and encourages him to keep up the good work. In a similar way, a visionary sees all that you are capable of, believes in you, and encourages you to keep fighting.
A Challenger
A good mentor will not only see your potential, but also see your weaknesses. They will help you identify your weak points and challenge you to overcome them. A mentor will not be afraid to tell you things the way they are. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 NIV When two surfaces rub against each other, there is usually friction. As a mentee, you must be willing to face the challenges that your mentor presents to you. A good mentor will challenge you to become your best version of you.
A Nurturer (protector)
A good mentor loves and thus nurtures their mentee. There is a certain selfless-ness about being a mentor. A good mentor always thinks about what is in the best interest of their mentee. This person will guide you in a gentle, but strong way as a mother would. Paul writes “As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” -1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NLT A good mentor will protect you from making their past mistakes and encourage you to be better than them.
Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to be good mentors and mentees. Please help us to reflect your love in mentorship. Amen.
