Mentoring Matters - "Why do I need to do this?"

"Why do I need to do this?" This was a question my former Algebra students often asked and now my children wonder the same. Honestly there are times I still think about it as well. Perhaps you do too.

It's natural to want to understand the purpose of doing something. When we understand the reason we are being asked to work and/or sacrifice we are more willing to do what needs to be done.

This question has come to mind as I've dug deeper into a passion of mine - mentoring, which takes place when one person walks alongside another to train, teach and disciple. This is a topic many associate with Titus 2:3-5, which says -

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

This passage has been important in my life for many years and one I've read and studied numerous times but recently my focus has shifted from the what of mentoring to the why. Specifically the end of verse 5, for two and a half verses Paul focuses on what must be taught and then in a few short words he tells Titus why. Read these words slowly - "so that no one will malign the word of God."

Have you ever thought about why mentoring is important? I have, but I have to admit until recently I never gave Paul's answer much thought. But as I've thought about his words, which are about God's Word, my passion for mentoring has increased.

Friend, this is a serious matter...as followers of Christ who consider God's Word our ultimate authority we must do all we can to keep it from being maligned. (To speak evil of, slander) One of those things is to be teachable so we can learn from the older women in our lives and secondly we must come alongside those following in our steps so we can disciple them as well.

Thinking about this has increased my passion, but it's also made me more aware of what's expected of me...and you. I've been thinking about how intentional I am to mentor and be mentored, what that should look like in my life and if I'm capable of doing a good job or not.

As I've thought about this Titus 2:11-14 has come to my attention -

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." 

I once heard somebody say this passage was the "Gospel in a Nutshell," but the words that have spoken to me lately are again the final phrase - "eager to do what is good." I know my works or service won't save me, but as I follow Christ I know I'm called to do what He did and friend, if anyone did what is good it was Jesus!

These words provided reassurance that my passion for mentoring is a good thing because I believe it's a good work God wants us to do eagerly! They alone didn't do much specifically for my doubts and insecurities though...

So rather than drowning in them, like I've often done, I continued to ask God for direction and seek His Word for assistance. He provided the answer I needed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

At first I read this verse, another familiar one, and didn't think too much about it, but then I read it a second time and again the last few words jumped out at me - "equipped for every good work." I knew I was eager to do a a good work, but here I was reading that I could be equipped to do it. And friend, you are too!

I'm in awe of how God works and provides what we need and I'm also struck with how the dots in this Scripture search really do connect - 

God told me, us, why mentoring is important - so that His Word would not be maligned.

He showed me it's good to be eager to do good works.

He reminded me that He's equipped me to do what He created me to do.

And finally, He helped me understand Scripture, that is breathed by Him (2 Tim. 3:16), is what ultimately will keep His Word from being maligned. Friend, in order to do what He's calling us to do we must read the Word, live the Word and then teach the Word.

I don't know if you've ever asked the question, "Why do I need to mentor or be mentored?" but I pray these words have encouraged you to do just that! Someone needs you to walk alongside them and another has a lesson to share with you, but most importantly God has a work for you to do!

Remember God's a teacher who doesn't just tell us what to do, He let's us know why we need to do it and then He even equips us to complete the assignment! 

Let's talk...had you thought about this being a reason for mentoring? How can you apply this to your life, home, walk, ministry? Looking forward to what you have to say!