“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:9

We see through the scriptures the mentoring of Solomon from his father King David, for Solomon grew up as a child under the king; and the mentoring of the prophet Samuel by the old priest Eli. Then there was Elijah mentoring Elisha; the elder teaching the younger.

Mentoring is a much needed gifting and tool in the raising up of ministers and ministries in these days as in the days of old. Jesus Christ, of course, has always being our great, great mentor, the Word of God made flesh. It behooves us to recognize those among us that we could learn from and grow into our own ministry. Someone along our walk in the Lord has been our mentor in one degree or another; and some of us are now mentors assisting others to grow up. The is why the word says he gave first apostles (mentors) prophets, (mentors) evangelists (mentors), pastors (mentors) and teachers (mentors) (Eph.4: 11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”

1. Mentors are a blessing from God, not to be taken lightly.
2. A mentor does not need your knowledge, but if you are being mentored, you do require his knowledge and wisdom.
3. Mentors, being seasoned, correct you when you are doing wrong and need fully so, for the growth of your maturity in Christ.  He will be your coach. He is not there to pat you on the back.
4. Mentors don’t push themselves on you; they will only answer what you are asking about.
5. Your mentor is not perfect in his natural man, but then neither are you. One sitting under a mentor can draw from their maturity, but also seeing their flaws; not to criticize but to recognize that in spite of the flaws, there is stability. They are not to be idolized for only the Lord Jesus is to be lifted up.
6. Mentors have something you have not experience – events; ministerial expertise; demonic warfare; challenges in precarious situations, and how to handle yourselves in difficult situations. And another thing, Mentors will not get “rattled” when the “fight is on.” I remember two women challenged me out of nowhere while in Israel many years ago. The Lord spoke to me “Don’t try to defend yourself”, which I did not. He handled the whole affair, and they went their ways not to be heard of again. Wisdom will teach a mentor not to try to explain himself totally because those who are challenging, will call it weakness, and he knows that the Lord is his defense.
7. A wise man will listen to the instructions of his mentor, whether he understands them or not. He will not reason in his own mind, but trust the one who has been placed before him, to learn from and profit from. Mentors are not novices. They are seasoned elders and have some spiritual knowing because of what they have walked through. The word says to “entreat an elder”, that is approach them with respect, for God has put them in that authority.

I specifically remember a woman who claimed that I was her mentor.  She would introduce me to everyone as such, even though she never sought my council in her walk with the Lord. She did as she pleased, and her path went every which way.  So many today mouth the word “my mentor” thinking that they are so spiritual in saying this not understanding what the word stands for. It means “a wise and trusted advisor”; which means authority.  In today’s economy, authority is not always heeded.

One who does not follow the instruction of their mentor, (who wants only the best for them), will be uncertain and half-hearted in his or her approach to each situation.  Eventually it will lead to division and criticism of their mentor.  “Who do they think they are?” (That is what was said of Moses)  And in reality, the just mentor only wants them to grow up to maturity eventually not needing much mentoring, but being  able to express their own maturity, growing in Christ.  I know that when my council is not heeded, nor taken seriously, there is nothing more to say, and that is a fact.  You just quietly go on in the Lord to other things.  The undiscerning do not recognize that the lack of advising, is the closing down on the whole situation. Advice not heeded is a waste of time.

Apostle Paul stated to follow him as he followed Christ.  And that is a Christ-like sold out life.  To follow Christ in someone is observing a dedicated life in Christ, one who is not parlaying with the world.  But then, that is another subject.