Mentor Like Jesus: Exploring How He Made DisciplesSýnishorn

The Secret Sauce: A Group

Jesus, the world’s greatest mentor, worked with a group. That’s right, a group. Normally we think of mentoring as one-on-one, life on life. But Jesus started . . . and ended . . . with a group.

Yes, it’s true, He spoke to crowds of thousands, but Jesus chose to spend the majority of his time with a select few . . . those He called apostles. An apostle is an envoy, ambassador, or messenger commissioned to carry out the instructions of the commissioning agent. He intentionally invested in these 12 men who were called to carry out the mission of His Father. Jesus referred to His mentees as “those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word” (John 17:6). They were God’s first, then given to Jesus to train and prepare for their mission.

It’s also true that all relationships are individual . . . you can’t have a relationship with a group. It’s ultimately one-on-one, both between mentor and mentee and between mentees. But Jesus knew the importance of the group context to intentional mentoring. He understood the idea that “more time with fewer people, equals greater Kingdom impact.”

Just as you won’t be the only mentor someone ever has, Jesus knew that He wouldn’t be with His guys forever. But He knew they would have each other and the intimacy they built together to go along with the common passion and vision that Jesus developed in them.

Mentoring in a group is also the most efficient way to mentor. It sets the individual relationships in motion and speeds up the process of developing trust. It also allows you to tell your story once to a group of people instead of eight times to eight people. Why share your successes and failures over and over again when you can share them once for multiple listeners to hear?

Jesus operated with that same efficiency. Time after time He was speaking, teaching and answering questions in front of His group . . . for all to hear and consume. Sure, the group had different levels of understanding, but those who wanted it would come back and ask questions to get clarification. “Explain this parable to us,” the disciples asked on multiple occasions. Then Jesus would explain it. Once. For all to hear and understand.

Challenge: “But where would I find a group to mentor?” Start with your church. Pray and ask God to lead you to the right pastor, leader or teacher who could help you assemble a group . . . maybe even co-mentor with you.