Meaningful Mentorship: Five Guiding Principles for Your Conversationsనమూనా

In one verse, Paul unpacks four obedient steps as we navigate life's challenges with faith, joy, and intentionality. Let's delve into the transformative power they hold.

“be sober in all things:” Remain calm. Think. Don’t react quickly. Ask instead of assuming. Don’t offer your opinion on things that don’t concern you. Refuse to make a big deal out of something that’s really not a big deal. Don’t fly off the handle over a news headline. Restrain yourself and be reasonable. These things may seem like common sense, but you’ve likely observed this for yourself: common sense does not mean common practice. We live in a world that is quick to react – and react publicly. (Yes, social media counts as public!)

We’re quick to judge, quick to be offended, quick to get angry, and quick to divide over minor issues. But as believers, we’re held to a different standard. We’re called to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). We’re called to pursue peace (Romans 14:19). We’re not just called to consider if something is permissible – but if it’s beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Slow down your reactions, so you have time to pray and respond in a way that demonstrates how God calls us to live – “in all things” – not just the moments that are easier to be sober in, but the difficult ones too.

“endure hardship:” Endurance isn’t required for easy. For example, you need endurance to be able to run three miles – but not so much to chill on the couch all day. Living for Christ requires our effort and guarantees that we will encounter hardship. We will continually have to tap into endurance. But let me encourage you with this: hardship and joy can co-exist – if you keep your eyes on Jesus. If you focus on your problem, finding joy will be hard. Walking around, displaying your hardship like a badge of misery, doesn’t encourage anyone to take steps closer to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul wrote that “through us, [God] spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” So as lovingly as I can say it – don’t stink. The “aroma of Christ” is one that should make people want to linger a little longer, breathe in a little deeper, and create curiosity for what we have in Christ.

Endure hardship – and do it joyfully by keeping your eyes on Jesus.

“do the work of an evangelist:” Evangelism is a fancy church word for telling others about Jesus. Some have the gift of evangelism for sure. But the call to evangelize – to tell others about Christ – is not merely reserved for those with the gift of evangelism. We are all called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Here’s a new way to look at this: as you go about your life, remember the lost. Remember what your life was like before you knew Christ. Look for others who are spiritually where you used to be. Alone, you cannot tell everyone about Jesus, but everyone can tell someone about Jesus.

One of my friends and pastors, Jason Gaston, has been asking one question for years now, and it has been so fun to see it take off in various circles of believers. The question is simply: “Who’s your one?” Your one is defined as someone close to you but far from Christ. So…who’s your one? Be intentional about spending time with them. Ask them questions, and really listen to them. Pray for them, and pray with them. Love them really well. Encourage them with truth from God’s Word. Tell them how much God loves them and what Jesus has done for them. That is doing the work of an evangelist.

“fulfill your ministry:” Ministry is not merely the work of pastors. Ministry is anything a believer does that is submitted to God for Him to use.

Timothy’s ministry was pastoring the people in Ephesus. What’s the ministry God has called you to fulfill?

Don’t overthink this – it may not have a title. As Paul demonstrated in this letter, your ministry may look like an intentional investment in others, one person at a time.

If Jesus has saved you, He has also given you a ministry. Fulfill it.

Together, as believers, we make up the body of Christ. The whole body benefits if you do your part, and the whole body suffers if you do not. [Read 1 Corinthians 12 to go deeper on this.]

These are words we need to be speaking over one another over and over again: Fulfill your ministry. Whenever you have a discipleship conversation, encourage them to fulfill their ministry.

I’m borrowing this charge from Paul for you today on behalf of God’s authority:

[Insert your name here], fulfill your ministry. It matters.

Heavenly Father, today, we pray for the wisdom and strength to live out our calling with purpose and intentionality. Help us be sober in all things, responding to life's challenges with calmness and wisdom from Your Word. Grant us the endurance to navigate hardships, finding joy as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Stir our hearts to evangelize boldly, sharing Your love and truth with those around us. And as mentors, help us fulfill our ministry, nurturing and guiding those we disciple with love and faithfulness. May our lives and mentoring relationships reflect Your heart and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

The book of 2 Timothy provides incredible insight for our walks with the Lord and mentoring relationships. If you want to study the entire letter verse-by-verse with me, you can buy the book here.