We are continuing our mentoring series with the topic “Mentor for Peace.”
Don’t miss out on Parts 1 through 3: Mentoring 101: Freedom, Mentoring 102: Mentor for Joy, and Mentoring 103: Love.
Let’s review some basics:
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a trusted partnership where people share wisdom that fosters spiritual growth and leads to transformation, as mentors and mentees grow in their love of Christ, knowledge of self, and love of others.
If we adopt the view that mentoring fosters spiritual growth that compels us to follow Jesus Christ, and that it leads us to surrender to the change needed for spiritual maturity, then we are led to the following conclusion about the relationship between mentoring and discipleship:
- God’s kingdom purposes for mentorship and discipleship are one and the same. The words can be used synonymously when any Christian assumes the responsibility of influence in the life of another.
- As Christians, when we mentor others, our primary purpose is to make disciples of Christ and to show them how they can make disciples of Christ.
To put it simply, mentoring is intentional discipleship.
When we think about mentoring as intentional discipleship, we come to understand that mentoring is both theological and relational. The relationship aspect of mentoring—specifically the relationships that humans have with each other—is where we will turn our attention today.
As disciples or followers of Jesus, there are certain actions and spiritual practices that we are called to live out in this world. The Bible says that we are called to confess our sins to each other (James 5:16, 1 Tim. 6:12). We are called to love each other (1 John 4:7, 11, 20). We are called to forgive one another (Eph. 4:32, Col 3:13). We are called to become peacemakers (Matt. 5:9, Rom. 12:18).
These actions or practices do not come naturally. In my flesh, my subconscious response concerning other people is always to think about me first, to defend and protect myself, to hate my enemy, to blame the other for my problems, to hold grudges, and to make war, not peace.
God is love. Because he loves us, he has given us his precious Holy Spirit which makes it possible for us to live differently in this world. We can live and respond as God intends, so his light can be evident and people will be drawn to him as a result. Oh, what a glorious change in our lives?
The Holy Spirit makes these new actions and responses possible. The Holy Spirit is our able teacher. Because we are disciples or students of Jesus, we must learn to practice what we have been taught. It is not enough to say “love your enemies” or “pray for those who despitefully use you (Matt. 5:44,” if you don’t actually take loving actions or pray.
This is the purpose of Lesson IV in the #Mentor4Life Leader’s Training Manual:
Relationships are important. From the beginning of time, God said, “It is not good for [humankind] to be alone.” Jesus made it possible for us to draw near to God, and he also makes it possible for us to draw near to each other.
There are two practical ways that we can Mentor for Peace:
- Live and share the gospel.
- Be a reconciler. A reconciler is someone who takes what is broken and fixes it, or someone who takes corrective actions to restore a relationship into right standing.
Review these scriptures this week: Ephesians 2:13-18, Romans 12:18, and 2 Corinthians 7:17-20.
How does the Leader’s Training Manuel help me Mentor for Peace?
The purpose of this lesson in the Leader’s Training manual is to help mentors teach and model the love and peace of Christ, so their mentees can have healthy relationships and become peacemakers who love their neighbors well.
By the end of the lesson, mentors will:
- Have a biblical understanding of the nature of conflict and the reconciliation that is available through confession, repentance, and forgiveness.
- Communicate and biblical understanding of unity in diversity within the body of Christ.
This lesson includes teaching from Ken Sande’s book, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resoling Personal Conflict (used with permission).
It includes a personal exercise for the mentor or mentees, along with handouts about peacemaking, conflict, confession, forgiveness, and repentance. The lesson also includes a team building or collaborative learning exercise for the entire mentoring ministry.
Question: How are you nurturing your current relationships? How are you intentionally pursuing new relationships?
Want More?
You can always follow the mentoring conversation using the #Mentor4Life hashtag on social media (Twitter @asistasjourney and http://www.Facebook.com/NatashaSistrunkRobinson).
The Leader’s Training Manual and accompanying videos are designed to accompany the Mentor for Life book, and it can be used as a tool for training mentors and developing a mentoring leadership team. This resource is often made available for free or discount for those who book Natasha to speak, or those who receive leadership training and mentoring coaching from Natasha. Natasha will also make an electronic version of this document available to those who email and show proof of purchase for 5 or more Mentor for Life books.
If you leave comments, I will attempt to answer the questions throughout the series, or follow the series with specific blog posts to address your questions.
Check out Natasha’s official website, www.natashaSrobinson.com, to receive free downloadable tools, recommended resources, request Natasha to speak, or to receive leadership training or mentoring coaching.
Blessings, Natasha
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 