Mentor Like Jesus: Exploring How He Made DisciplesSample

Starting Now, Ending Then

One of the biggest reasons people don’t mentor is the perceived amount of time it takes. They don’t know how often they’re going to have to meet with their mentee or maybe more importantly, how long the relationship is going to last.

A good mentor will always be there for a mentee, but there is incredible value in setting a specific beginning and ending date for formal mentoring.

When we look at Jesus, we see He only mentored His disciples for about three years, so there must be some value in mentoring for a defined period. Jesus could have left the carpenter shop any time He wanted.

Often, we overcomplicate the job of mentoring. When you’re forty, you can mentor thirty-year-olds. When you’re twenty-five, you could potentially be a fabulous mentor to an eighteen-year-old. But when do you start? How do you know it’s time?

Again, we look at Jesus.

In John 2, we read about Jesus being at a wedding when His mom comes to Him in a panic, “The hosts are out of wine and the party’s just started. Do something Jesus!”

Jesus was reluctant. He told His mom, “My time has not yet come” (John 2:4).

He wasn’t sure it was time to start His ministry. We don’t know why He thought that, but we do know the Father put Him in that situation, and He responded. He said yes. He acted. He said, “Bring me jars filled with water,” and His ministry began.

Challenge: Maybe right now, reading Day 8 of this reading plan, is your moment. Maybe God is saying to you, “Your time has come. Get off the bench and get in the game.” Put a date on your calendar and start praying that God will make that your first day as an intentional mentor.