Jump Start # 865

Special Note: There will not be a Jump Start on Monday since it is a holiday.

1 Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy my true son in the faith: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Kevin’s coming to town. Many of our readers do not know Kevin. He was a young preacher that worked with me for a summer, lived with my son in an apartment, and hung out at our house nearly every day. Kevin is now married, has a son and preaches in California. He’s doing well. It’s great to think that the folks here had a part in helping Kevin become who he is today.  Mentoring is such an important role, not just in the development of preachers, but in spiritual development of most of us.

Consider this: Joshua had Moses; Elisha had Elijah; Timothy had Paul. The older helped mold the younger. The younger carried on the work after the older was gone. Mentoring.

Elders or shepherds mentor. Their work is more than just watching, it is developing and training. Teachers mentor. They influence young hearts. Parents, especially, mentor. Daily are questions answered, lessons taught and insights given. Preachers mentor younger preachers. You may train the new guy at work. What you are doing is mentoring him. You are showing him the ropes. You teach him more than just how the policy and manual works, you show him how to get along, how to fit in, how to survive. There are things you know that the book doesn’t teach.

There are some thoughts about mentoring and training that I want to share.

First, the younger person being trained, is often more talented than the person doing the training. The difference is the older person has experience. They have put in the time and have miles and miles of life under their belt. Those stories, examples and lessons learned are part of the mentoring process. The older, experienced mentor cannot be jealous of the younger person. There are many bright and shinning stars that are very impressive. If the mentor feels threatened, then he won’t do a complete job.

Second, most of us have had someone show us the ropes somewhere in life. There was that one person that really went out of their way to make us feel accepted, welcomed and loved. They spent a lot of time helping us get adjusted, answered our questions and were there for us. Many of us could not be where we are without that special person. You need to thank, first the Lord, and then that person, for the help that they gave you. Second, it’s your turn to do the same for someone else. Your attitude has a lot to do with how well the person succeeds.

Third, the mentor must realize that the person they are working with will have their own style, personality and way of doing things. Mentoring is not cloning. Kevin is a talented preacher. He doesn’t preach the way I do. I don’t want him to. He must be his own person. That thought works with our children. Each will be unique and different. Each has their own style and way of doing things.

Finally, especially in spiritual work, we need to pass the baton on to others who can carry on the work. Training other teachers, leaders, and preachers is so important. Churches need to be busy doing this. This doesn’t have to be a big program, but simply one experienced teacher showing another how to teach a class, or a shepherd taking someone with him as he visits a family…or an older Christian showing a younger Christian how to study the Bible. In Titus we find, “older women teach younger women…” That may have been a ladies Bible class, but I tend to doubt it. I think it was an older lady getting to know a younger one and the two talking, sharing, and helping. Mentoring.

Paul viewed Timothy as his son in the faith. Timothy was trained and trustworthy. Timothy could be left to do a job while Paul was elsewhere preaching. Confidence. Assurance. Dependable. That come from time spent together. That came from being serious about God’s work. That came from being trained.

Who are you helping? You ought to be helping someone. It may be the little ones in your household. Years from now, the lessons you taught will be remembered. Others will carry on because of the time you spent with them.

Timothy had Paul…who has you? Give that some thought. Do something about that.

Roger