Mentoring Guidelines
Because some older women asked my advice on mentoring younger women I have written this post—not to gain any more montorees myself but to share what I have done.
My general definition of a “mentor” is an advisor or coach for someone with less experience— providing expertise, guidance, advice, and knowledge from a more experienced perspective. I try to understand a mentoree’s need, and using my own personal experience, endeavor to help that person advance in one or more areas. Advisor. Teacher. Supporter. Encourager. This is a picture I have in mind.
Over the years I have had the privilege of mentoring some younger women, both in developing their creative writing skills and in helping them grow in their Christian faith. First, a younger woman has to ask me to speak into her life. After I pray, if I feel this is right, I will tell her what I’d like to see her achieve in four specific ways as we will talk together over the next months or years—usually via phone or online if not in person. I’d like to see her achieve at least these goals:
1.To have a daily time of devotions to worship and seek God—through prayer and Bible reading. Private prayer is a vital discipline: “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6 NKJV) “Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:2-3 NIV) “LORD, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.” (Nehemiah 1:11 NIV)
2. To get a prayer partner to pray with her on a regular basis—via phone or in person, Married couples may decide they are the strong prayer partners. There is power of agreement in a prayer partnership: “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:18-19 NIV)
The word “agree” derives from a Greek root from which we get our English word sympathy. It means “to sound together…to be in accord concerning a matter.”
Prayer partnerships can span the globe. Faith-filled prayer, when it is in agreement with the will of God, need not be limited by geographical proximity or even by time zones. In fact, distance really doesn’t matter. Today many Christians pray together by phone or online connections—at a regular time, whether daily, or once a week but they keep the time commitment! (I prayed five days a week for years on the phone with my prayer partner, Lib, and daily with my husband).
3. To learn to tell her testimony in a short time span. I’d advise her to practice in advance so that when the time is ripe, she can share her testimony with another person who needs to hear.Peter, the disciple said, “But you are the ones chosen by God…God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” (1 Peter 2: 9-10 The MESSAGE) Another says: “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you…that you may also fellowship with The Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” (I John 1:3)
A testimony is “to tell something you know firsthand, or to authenticate a fact.” When sharing her testimony, she can testify to what Jesus has done for her and hopefully help influence others for Christ. The New Testament is full of instances about people who shared their story. They went and told! She can tell the most important change she has undergone since she made Jesus her Lord and hopefully that person will not only want to hear more but will ask to know how Christ can impact her too.
4.To eventually mentor another woman. As she grows or matures in her specific filed, I’d ask my mentoree to consider mentoring someone else by sharing her own natural skill, talent, knowledge, or experience in practical ways. And to consider training someone in Scriptural truths to help that one grow in her walk with the Lord. I’d encourage her not to be afraid to share from her own trials and as well as her triumphs.
Paul wrote: “What you learned and received, heard and saw in me, these do.” (Phil:3:8) Peter advised: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 NKJV)
While mentoring isn’t mentioned in the Bible “go make disciples” was a command Jesus made. Paul wrote Titus that the older women were to train the younger women ( Titus 2:2-4).
One Christian speaker describes a mentor as “someone further down the road than you who is willing to hold the light to help you get there–to realize your full potential.”
Let’s do that. Let’s go help some younger women achieve their destinies.
Because I want to help equip and encourage the younger generation of women whom God brings across my path, I hope they can say, “I caught what she taught” and exceed me in their outreach for Jesus. 1
Footnote: 1. Excerpted from my book Cast Your Shadow: Influence on Purpose.
NOTE: Books I wrote, some with Ruthanne Garlock, which I sometimes used when I mentored: ( If some aren’t still available, online used bookstores usually have them). A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare; A Mother’s Guide to Praying For Your Children; The Beginner’s Guide to Receiving the Holy Spirit (e-book); Cast Your Shadow: Influence On Purpose; Lord, Help Me Break This Habit; A Christian Woman’s Guide to Hospitality; Lord, I Need To Pray With Power; Prayer Partnerships; and for older ones, Grandma, I Need Your Prayers; Praying Prodigals Home; Hope For A Widow’s Heart.
,
Comments (0)