Nav Tools - The “Nuts and Bolts” of Mentoring
The “Nuts and Bolts” of Mentoring
Mentoring has become a hot trend in many arenas of life. A quick Internet search for “mentoring” will turn up about 18,900,000 references to mentoring programs in government, business, education, families, neighborhoods, and churches.
Where did the concept originate?
In Homer’s epic tale The Odyssey, Odysseus’s elderly friend and adviser, “Mentor,” is entrusted with the guardianship of his son. While the origins of the name may come from the Greeks, the concept of mentoring is older than that. The proverbs of Solomon were a form of mentoring and described by him as being useful:
Who is involved in mentoring?
A Barna Research telephone survey revealed that 31 percent of adults claim they are being mentored or discipled by someone, and 24 percent of all adults have served as a mentor or discipler to one or more people during the past year.1
How does mentoring impact lives?
Fuller Seminary professor and author Robert Clinton analyzed the lives of 600 leaders in historical and contemporary Christianity. His conclusion? Most leaders did not finish well, but those who did had mentors and accountability. Almost all leaders identified three to 10 people who made significant contributions to their development.2
What does it take to be a mentor?
How can you help a younger Christian grow as a disciple? Mentoring is more than just two people spending a lot of time together. When you meet with a friend who wants to grow spiritually, here’s a tool to help you cover the “nuts and bolts.”
Basics
▶ What are you learning from the Word?
▶ Have you had any special answers to prayer?
Outreach
▶ How are your friendships with others developing?
▶ Who are the people in your family, neighborhood, or workplace you’re influencing for Christ?
Love Life
▶ How is your marriage doing?
▶ If unmarried, what lessons are you learning in friendships?
Topic
▶ Can you think of a special topic related to Christian growth we can explore together (a book to read, a Bible study to do, an activity to participate in)?
Struggles
▶ What issues have been especially hard for you recently?
▶ How can I pray for you specifically?
1. The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators by George Barna (Word, 1996).
2. Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life by Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton (NavPress, 1992).
Where did the concept originate?
In Homer’s epic tale The Odyssey, Odysseus’s elderly friend and adviser, “Mentor,” is entrusted with the guardianship of his son. While the origins of the name may come from the Greeks, the concept of mentoring is older than that. The proverbs of Solomon were a form of mentoring and described by him as being useful:
. . . for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise (Proverbs 1:2–6).
Who is involved in mentoring?
A Barna Research telephone survey revealed that 31 percent of adults claim they are being mentored or discipled by someone, and 24 percent of all adults have served as a mentor or discipler to one or more people during the past year.1
How does mentoring impact lives?
Fuller Seminary professor and author Robert Clinton analyzed the lives of 600 leaders in historical and contemporary Christianity. His conclusion? Most leaders did not finish well, but those who did had mentors and accountability. Almost all leaders identified three to 10 people who made significant contributions to their development.2
What does it take to be a mentor?
How can you help a younger Christian grow as a disciple? Mentoring is more than just two people spending a lot of time together. When you meet with a friend who wants to grow spiritually, here’s a tool to help you cover the “nuts and bolts.”
Basics
▶ What are you learning from the Word?
▶ Have you had any special answers to prayer?
Outreach
▶ How are your friendships with others developing?
▶ Who are the people in your family, neighborhood, or workplace you’re influencing for Christ?
Love Life
▶ How is your marriage doing?
▶ If unmarried, what lessons are you learning in friendships?
Topic
▶ Can you think of a special topic related to Christian growth we can explore together (a book to read, a Bible study to do, an activity to participate in)?
Struggles
▶ What issues have been especially hard for you recently?
▶ How can I pray for you specifically?
1. The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators by George Barna (Word, 1996).
2. Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life by Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton (NavPress, 1992).
