Biblical Principles of Mentoring

Veritas Baptist College Biblical Principles of Mentoring A Project Submitted To Dr. Bryan Samms In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements for the Course CM 504-1 Discipleship, Mentoring, Equipping By Noah Downing October 14, 2021  Outline Introduction Jethro and Moses – In-Law or Out-Law? Nathan and David – Correcting “The Man” Barnabas and Paul – Second Chances Paul and Timothy – Finishing the Course Aquilla, Priscilla, and Apollos – Sharpening the Whiz Kid Conclusion  Introduction Throughout Scripture, God has given examples of men and women who struggled with life experiences as they grew in their faith. The decisions and challenges they faced were an important of their growth process. As their stories are read, one may find spiritual mentors along the way, providing correction, instruction, or encouragement. This is important, because spiritual formation is not something that can simply be learned in a classroom. As one pair of authors put it, “[Spiritual formation] requires a mentorship of the heart, a relationship with a teacher of life who is able to convey what was learned from the teacher’s own faithful mentor…” Kieth R. Anderson, and Randy D. Reese, Spiritual Mentoring (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 17. The following pages will explore five relationships that illustrate the unique and effective way in which God works through people to grow His children. No two mentoring relationships are the same! A mentor could be younger or older, family member or stranger, expected or from left field! What is consistent is the truth behind their message, and if followed the advancement of God’s kingdom and His glory. Jethro and Moses – In-Law or Out-Law? Moses was a trained professional. He had the best education in the world at that time, and spent his formative years observing structure and order at the highest level. When he took on the role as leader of Israel, he took that training into a very bizarre situation. G.L. Goetz observes, “He had the responsibilities of a Pharaoh with the salary package of a bag lady.” D. L. Goetz, The power of loving your church: leading through acceptance and grace. (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1998), 57. Before Moses would be a leader, he met and later married into the family of a prosperous shepherd named Jethro. The family had been suddenly been separated when Moses answered the call to return to Egypt. In Exodus 18 the men are reunited. Joyfully Supportive As Jethro hears about Moses’ adventures, he “rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians” (Exodus 18:9). The text continues as the Midianite bursts into praise to Jehovah, sacrifices to God, and enjoys a feast with the leaders of Israel. This had to be such an encouragement to Moses. To hear his former boss not only take an interest in him, but genuinely celebrate the success would have been a special moment. This would only be further appreciated in light of the murmuring and complaining that had already become commonplace around the camp! Caution When Needed But Jethro was not a yes man! The next morning Moses goes to his usual spot to deal with the troubles of the people. Never being around a leader of a refugee nation, Jethro observes. He is shocked to realize how Moses is attempting to counsel, one-on-one, an entire nation! When he asks why he is doing attempting such an overwhelming task, Moses basically says, “Because they’re there!” Obviously, this is not a good reason, and Jethro wastes no time in dealing with the situation. He speaks directly: “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out…” (Exodus 18:17). He then goes on to suggest a structure in which trustworthy men would be assigned groups, and together they would teach the people and help them sort out their problems. “If you do this,” Jethro concluded, “God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace” (Exodus 18:23). The counsel is good, and Moses recognized it. He didn’t fuss at his father-in-law, sarcastically ask him where he went to school, or invoke his burning bush experience as an excuse to ignore the suggestion. On the contrary, he not only implemented the system exactly as given, but seems to hold Jethro back until it’s all in place, and then “let his father-in-law depart” (Exodus 18:26). Charles Tidwell, Church Administration: Effective Leadership for Ministry. (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1985), 41. A mentor expresses genuine joy when he sees the blessing of God on a situation. He is careful not just to give him an “attaboy” but to direct praise to God in the presence of His human instrument. This is the opposite of the stereotypical boss to whom nothing is ever quite good enough, and always finds something to pick apart. At the same time, when there is correction, it is direct and specific. It is motivated by genuine concern for the person, and a solution is offered that would not hijack the mission. Jethro’s suggestion not only accomplished God’s mission, but also preserved the leadership. Nathan and David– A Mentor to “The Man” Often remembered for his bony finger in David’s face saying, “Thou art the man,” Nathan the Prophet carried the tremendous responsibility for helping to mentor “the man after God’s heart.” Although the assumption is that this sometimes-confrontational preacher is considerably older than the King, a careful examination of his life suggests otherwise. Nathan was not only present during David’s life, but his son Solomon as well. With the combined ages of the two kings being seventy-eight years, Nathan must have been much younger than David. Richard R. Losch, All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 313. This revelation casts their conversations in a different light, and gives insight to those who have the opportunity to counsel those who are more “seasoned” in their life. Redirecting “The Man” Their first recorded encounter takes place in 2 Samuel 17. David had built a beautiful home for himself in Jerusalem. As he visited with the young prophet, he commented, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent” (2 Samuel 7:2). He went on to describe his desire to build a temple. Nathan is thrilled with this idea, and encourages the king to do what was in his heart, this is wonderful! That night Nathan hears from God, who gives the prophet a message for the king. The message is a mixture of correction and encouragement. The gist of the dozen verses is that no, David may not build a house for God, however his son will. Not only that, but God establishes a covenant with David, promising, “…thy throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). The younger mentor has a healthy relationship with his king. He is supportive, but not a “yes man.” He is faithful to give correction, even if it means opposing his king. David’s reaction of bursting out with praise God is evidence that this redirection was joyfully received. Willing to Correct “The Man” The most famous encounter between these two men occurs after David’s adulterous encounter with Bathsheeba, which then led to the murder of Uriah. One can only imagine the horror that Nathan experienced when this knowledge was given to him. This is not a message of redirection, but confrontation. Nathan used what he knew of David to effectively call out the King of Israel. With no apparent introduction, he launched into a story that immediately resonated with the former shepherd. David quickly identified with the characters and was predictably filled with rage as he protested the injustice of not only robbing but then slaughtering what belongs to another man. No doubt it was with deep sorrow that the young prophet declared those famous inditing words, “Thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12:7). He didn’t dodge the moment, or soften the harsh reality of what David had done. He shot straight with him, and while no video proof is available, there is no reason to believe that rebuke was given in any tone other than the calm, sorrowful, respectful voice of a friend broken for a friend. Barnabas and Paul – Second Chances While he would later be used to become one of the quintessential mentors in the New Testament, there as a time early on when the Apostle Paul needed some mentoring and encouragement. So God, Who sovereignly assembles the various members of His body as He will, raised up a man known as “the son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). After relocating from Cyprus to Jerusalem, this man quickly made a name for himself, using his earthly resources to financially support the needs of that congregation. Giving a Criminal a Chance In Acts 9:26-30, Luke tells of a newly converted Saul of Tarsus being brought to the apostles in Jerusalem. Naturally, the church was skeptical of one of welcoming the “Gestapo” himself into the fellowship! This quick mention was only the beginning of a very important friendship between these two men. Later, Barnabas was sent north to Antioch to provide leadership for a new group of believers. They were experiencing a situation that would become common in the first century, the integration of Jews and non-Jews in a single community of Christians. N.T. Wright notes that in the ancient world, “the idea of a single community across the traditional boundaries of culture, gender, and ethnic and social groupings was unheard of.” N.T. Wright, Paul: A Biography. (New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2018), 91. Barnabas was the ideal person to provide the support and enthusiasm. However, there was something needed. In addition to encouragement, there was also a need for serious teaching: “On the one hand, they would have to put down roots firmly into the Jewish traditions, into the scriptures. On the other hand, they would have to think through what precisely it meant that Israel’s Messiah, the fulfillment of those same scriptures, had been crucified and raised form the dead… Who did Barnabas know who had that kind of knowledge and the eager energy and the way with words that would communicate it? There was one obvious candidate.” Ibid, 91-92. Barnabas went to Tarsus, was reunited with Paul, and the two of them returned to Antioch where they ministered to the church. So effective was their joint ministry that the congregation made a name not only for themselves, but for the entire movement: “Christians”. Acts 11:25-26 Giving a Loser a Chance Fast-forward a few years. Barnabas and Saul (now known as Paul) had been sent from the church in Antioch to preach the Gospel to Barnabas’ home country of Cyprus and throughout the region of Galatia. Accompanying them was Barnabas’ nephew named John Mark. After a difficult start, the young man returned home. Paul took this abandonment of the team very personally, later refusing to allow John Mark a second chance. Luke describes the “sharp disagreement” in Acts 15:36-41. In the end, Paul took Silas back to Galatia, while Barnabas and his nephew returned to Cyprus. While much could be said about the split of this team, F.F. Bruce summarizes it nicely: We can believe that it would indeed have been unwise for Mark at this stage to join another missionary expedition of which Paul was one of the leaders. On the other hand, Barnabas probably discerned promising qualities in his young cousin which could be developed under his care rather than under Paul’s. It did Mark good to spend more time in the company of such a “son of encouragement”; in the event his latent qualities reached full maturity and were appreciated in due course by Paul himself (Col. 4:10; Philem. 23; 2 Tim. 4:11). F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988), 302. Barnabas had a particular ministry of identifying and supporting up-and-coming leaders. The time came for him to separate from one mentee and take on another. No doubt this was difficult – the term “contention” is used! Acts 15:39 A carnal Barnabas could have clashed horns with Paul, ran their ministries into the ground, shipwrecking them both. But instead, they wisely separated and continued their mutual roles. Mark Dever describes a loving end to discipling relationships: “We need a love that humbles us enough to recognize that what they need is not us, but God, and that God can use us for a while, and then use someone else.” Mark Dever, Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016), 92. Paul and Timothy– Staying on Course While Paul was not impressed with John Mark, he was drawn to another young man early on in his ministry. Young Timothy of Lystra was a product both of Paul’s ministry as well as his mother and grandmother, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:3-7. The relationship between these two men has been the subject of many sermons, books, and lectures on discipleship. For the purpose of this paper, only one brief moment will be examined. It takes place at the end Paul’s life, as he is in the process of completing his mission. By this point, Timothy is established as the pastor of his own congregation and as Paul writes his final farewell, he reminds his protégé of their journey together. Reviewing The Course In 2 Timothy 3, Paul describes for Timothy what kind of trials lay ahead for a preacher of the Gospel. He does not sugar-coat the situation. Using terms like “times of difficulty,” and describing false teachers as “corrupted in mind” and “disqualified regarding the faith,” a preacher will be fighting an uphill battle against modern culture. 2 Timothy 3:2, 8, ESV. However, Paul has not simply “taught him better” he has “showed him better”! He has had a front row seat from Paul’s violent persecution at Lystra, to his day-to-day life along the way. Paul reminds him of their years together as Timothy, “followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…” John Stott notes that here Paul isn’t trying to boast for purposes of exhibitionism, but rather to point Timothy to the proof that validates the message. “Indeed, these are good (though not infallible) general tests of a person’s sincerity, and even of the truth or falsehood of his system.” John R. W. Stott, Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy. The Bible Speaks Today. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 95. One Final Push “But as for you,” Paul begins in verse 14, “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed…” He reminds the young man how he started his journey in the Scripture from childhood, grew in wisdom, and with that same Scripture has been taught, reproved, corrected and trained. With this powerful reminder, Paul is able to call Christ Himself as witness and charge Timothy to “Preach the word!” (4:2) As a joyful finisher of his own race (4:7), Paul pushes his son in the faith forward with the reminder that the Word of God is sufficient. Paul’s discipleship effort in Timothy’s life was not effective because it was littered with how-to’s or motivational speeches. Rather, it worked because Paul taught and proved the simple Gospel message of Scripture, and Timothy stuck around to watch it play out in Paul’s life. Aquilla, Priscilla and Apollos – Sharpening the Whiz Kid As the Apostle Paul was winding down his second missionary journey, he was not able to linger in Ephesus as he wanted. To aid the church in their growth, he left a godly couple, Aquilla and Priscilla to encourage the church and he continued his journey. While he was gone, the church received a young preacher who hailed from Alexandria, Egypt. This was none other than Apollos, a young man whom Calvin Miller calls, “the whiz kid of century one.” Calvin Miller. Letters to a Young Pastor (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2011), Letter 34. Acts 18 informs the reader that the young man was “eloquent” and “competent in the Scriptures.,” and had been accurately taught about Jesus. Acts 18:24-25 As the couple listened to the bold and educated preaching of this guest preacher, they identified a missing element in his teaching. Exactly what this element was is not made clear, nor is it important for the passage. What is important is the ministry of this blue-collar couple. Aquilla and Priscilla took Apollos aside, likely in their home, and taught the teacher. Consider this! They were tentmakers! Acts 18:3 Yet their time under sound preaching, and the training they had received from Paul allowed them to identify error, and through the gentle influence of the Holy Spirit they were able to boldly and kindly catch the educated preacher up on his doctrine. Even more impressive than the grace this couple displayed is how Apollos received the correction. While the text does not allow the reader to sit in on their conversation, the resulting recommendation to Corinth from Ephesus to Corinth speaks for itself. Paul would later refer to the young man in his letter to the Corinthian church, confirming the effectiveness of his sound teaching. Through Apollos’ ministry, the seed Paul planted was watered, and the stagnant church experienced a wave of evangelism. Peyton Jones. Church Zero: Raising 1st Century Churches out of the Ashes of the 21st Century Church (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2013), Chapter 5, Logos Bible Software. Aquilla and Priscilla are incredible examples of how a local church does its part to develop pastors into their ministry. They dared to approach the gifted theologian and ask, “Do you understand the theology? We think we can help you improve your ministry.” What an example for every healthy church in which people train their pastors to be better pastors! Bruce Larson. “Letting the Laity Pastor.” In Mastering Pastoral Care, 29. Mastering Ministry. (Portland, OR; Carol Stream, IL: Multnomah Press, 1990), 29. Conclusion The witness of Scripture is clear: God calls and positions people to assist and shepherd others as they grow their spiritual lives. Sometimes the “help” may not be expected, or come from an unlikely source – like an in-law! Other times it comes from someone far younger or less educated, like Nathan or the couple in Ephesus. It is the wise shepherd who sees when God is leading him or her into a mentoring relationship, and continues therein until it is complete. No doubt frustrations may arise, and personality conflicts may hinder the work temporarily–or even require a shift in roles, but the focus of growing for God’s glory must always be held firm. It is encouraging that the biblical examples of mentoring are not cookie-cutter. There are all types of people requiring different, and sometimes multiple, mentors. Both mentors and mentees must maintain a teachable spirit, a spirit of humility, and a passion for the work of God to prosper and continue beyond their time. Jesus’ commission to make disciples is truly marvelous, it is the perfect way for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of individuals to mature them so that they can perpetuate the Gospel.  Bibliography Anderson, Kieth R., and Reese , Randy D., Spiritual Mentoring. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999. Bruce , F. F., The Book of the Acts. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988. Dever, Mark. Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016. Goetz , D. L.. The power of loving your church: leading through acceptance and grace. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1998. Jones, Peyton. Church Zero: Raising 1st Century Churches out of the Ashes of the 21st Century Church. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2013. Larson, Bruce. “Letting the Laity Pastor.” In Mastering Pastoral Care, 29. Mastering Ministry. Portland, OR; Carol Stream, IL: Multnomah Press, 1990. Losch, Richard R., All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008. Miller, Calvin. Letters to a Young Pastor. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2011. Stott , John R. W.. Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. Tidwell, Charles. Church Administration: Effective Leadership for Ministry. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1985. Wright, N.T., Paul: A Biography. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2018. 1