Week FOUR Devotionals
MENTORSHIP
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Topic: MENTORSHIP - The Why?
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-3 “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Discussion: At some point in your walk with Christ, you will be called to mentor other men. Christ himself modeled this with His disciples. His disciples carried on the practice with other men, which has continued for over 2000 years until today. Christ-centered relationships are one of the primary ways Jesus chose to disciple men and win the lost. Whether that excites you or terrifies you, it is part of God’s plan for us to invest ourselves in others. As Christians, mentoring means more than just advising younger men in the faith. It involves demonstrating a life representing Christ, teaching the Word, and providing godly counsel where needed. At its core, it shows other men what it’s like to follow Jesus and helps them walk it out in their own lives. This requires us to imitate Christ in all we do. As mentors to others, our lives are put on display. Christ should be easily seen in us—not in a perfect state, but in a way that displays fruit, wisdom, and grace. Paul was bold when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) The challenge today is… could I say that to other men? Can my life be imitated by others who chose to follow Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for helping me recognize why mentorship is important in my faith journey. We know mentoring is essential to growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Your Word says being involved in mentoring is not an option for followers of Jesus; it’s a command. Lord, help me be a part of God’s plan to invest in the lives of others by imitating and demonstrating Jesus as the foundation of who You have called us to be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Topic: MENTORSHIP – Does Iron “Really” Sharpen Iron?
Scripture: “As Iron sharpens Iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).
Discussion: Does iron really sharpen iron? The answer is clearly “YES!” As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Mentorship is a relationship between a seasoned believer and someone less experienced in faith. A mentor's role is to guide, encourage, and challenge younger (in the faith) believers in their walk with God. Over the years of mentoring other men, I have watched them come alive in their faith and begin to serve God in ways that have significantly impacted the kingdom–specifically, family, friends, and the church. Mentoring can be a catalyst that ignites faith, develops confidence, and inspires others in their walk with Jesus. Mentoring is not a one-way relationship. Anyone who has mentored others clearly understands the reciprocal nature of the relationship. This means that not only will the person being mentored be impacted, but the person mentoring will experience significant growth in the relationship.
There’s no question that mentorship builds the body of Christ. Our challenge today is to begin mentoring others, becoming mentees, or even becoming both. From Moses to Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, and many other examples, Scripture shows us the value of having other men in our lives who can hone our faith, ultimately making us the warriors God calls us to be.
Prayer: Father, I know through Your Word that I was created to impact this world and bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. You have provided many ways for me to grow in my faith. Still, I understand through Your Word that sitting under the teaching and life examples of others will provide direction, clarity, and a closer relationship with you. Your Word says, “Iron sharpens iron.” Make my heart ready, allow me to make the time, and place me in relationships with other men that will not only sharpen me but will also hone the faith of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Monday, March 24, 2025
Topic: MENTORSHIP – Jesus and Peter
Scripture: Matthew 16:18 “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Luke 22:32 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Discussion: Jesus only spent three years of His life in public ministry. While this period is well-known for the miracles and other significant events, much of His focus was on His relationship with His closest associates, whom the Bible calls His disciples. Jesus taught them everything they needed to follow Him for a lifetime. But most importantly, He taught them in a way that enabled them to teach everyone else they encountered. Jesus knew He could not mentor everybody personally. So, He chose twelve men whose responsibility was to multiply themselves by passing everything He taught them on to others, who would pass on to others still. As you consider who you will mentor, follow Jesus’ example by significantly limiting yourself to people you can invest in. As you begin a mentoring relationship, you might also explain that your vision for mentoring is about investing in people with a willingness (if not yet the confidence) to pass what they learn on to others. This is mentoring the Jesus way!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the relationship between Jesus and Peter. I know that Jesus walked through the ups and downs of life with all His disciples. This was most obvious in Peter's life. When Jesus met with Peter and told him he was forgiven and loved, Peter became a leader of the early church. Lord, help me understand that some of the people I mentor will not listen and will make mistakes. When this happens, it helps me remember the power of a mentor to speak the truth into their lives. Lord, I ask the Holy Spirit to help as I persevere with someone through challenges, and please give me spiritual wisdom to help them become who God created them to be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Topic: MENTORSHIP - Be Mentored and Be Mentoring
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.”
Discussion: When vacationing in places you have never been, an experienced guide is extremely valuable because they can teach you about culture, art, and historical facts and keep you safe from potential dangers. The same is true about mentors. The difference between the two is that vacation guides are for a brief period, whereas mentors are there for the long haul to impart love, counsel, strength, and comfort. Mentors also pray with and for those they lead and devote time to the relationship. For some, the mentor becomes a spiritual father, meaning a close personal relationship built over time, discipleship, and rooted in love and trust.
You will notice that some of the information between week 2 and week 4 is very similar. There is a reason we are emphasizing relationships. The church grows in maturity and in size when the body values relationships. Most men struggle. Whether it is time, compatibility, comfort, or whatever, we can find an excuse not to engage. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you have a spiritual leader or mentor?
Is there someone you see as a strong Christian, someone you could learn from?
Could you become a mentor?
Could you disciple other men in their relationship with God?
Can you mentor someone in your life today?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for helping me recognize that we need spiritual mentors who impart wisdom through consistent relationships that allow me to walk with You. Lord, help me also seek a person whom I can mentor in the same manner. Heavenly Father, help me become a mentor and to be mentored. Holy Spirit, please lead me into these relationships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Topic: MENTORSHIP – Radical Transformation Requires the Greatest Mentor
Scripture: John 14:10-11 - I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”
Discussion: Just as Jesus’ life demonstrated what the Father is like, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit allows us to reflect Jesus on this earth. The Holy Spirit living in us enables us to be His hands, feet, eyes, ears, and voice to the world. Regarding mentoring and leading others, we must value and actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and leadership. Just as we need to spend time with a person to receive mentoring, time is required with God. As we spend that time, growth comes by studying the Word, communicating with God, and accepting the changes and challenges He presents us. Of all the mentors available to us, no one can replace your relationship with God. He is the only one who can teach us how to love, forgive, and serve others as He would. He then gives us the ability to demonstrate His character to others. Mentorship of the Holy Spirit will produce character (fruits) and compassion, which are the catalysts for His gifts.
Prayer: Father, I give everything to You. Holy Spirit, be the light that shines through me today. Lead me to those you would have me mentor for their growth and Your Glory. Help me obey Your Word and embody You so my life becomes a living testimony to those around me. Lord, give me the discipline and influence to become an active mentor to others for Your kingdom's purpose. Jesus, just as You have discipled me, allow me to disciple others. In Jesus' Name, I pray, AMEN.
Let’s close out this week with this prayer: I Give Myself Away | William McDowell | Lyric Video