“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Did you know that even superstars need coaches? The top singers in the world have vocal coaches, and the top Olympic athletes have coaches. The top CEOs have business coaches. Coaches help you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
- This principle of coaching or mentorship is found throughout the Bible: Joshua was mentored by Moses.
- Elisha was coached by Elijah. The Disciples were coached by Jesus.
- Solomon was mentored and coached by David, and David was mentored by Samuel.
The Apostle Paul mentored and coached Timothy and many other people. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:2,
“You have heard me teach . . . Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (NLT).
- Paul mentored Timothy, and then he expected Timothy to go and mentor faithful men who would then mentor and coach other faithful men.
- That is a span of four generations of coaching and mentorship (Paul -> Timothy -> 1st Faithful men -> Other faithful men…)
- God expects the same of faithful men and women today, because that’s how we grow in discipleship.
In fact, you’re benefiting right now from the spiritual coaches who have mentored me over the course of my life and who have helped me grow in different areas of life.
The Bible says that God has given five different kinds of “coaches” for His church. So your coaches are part of God’s gifts to you. All of those coaches are working toward a specific purpose:
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
- Did you catch the purpose that these different coaches are working towards?
- They’re working so God’s people would learn and be trained (equipped) … and … grow strong (mature).”
- If you want to learn, grow, and be strong, then you need a mentor.
A mentor could be a spiritually mature friend and accountability person (or partner) who gets real with you and points out sin and weakness, while also encouraging your strengths and growth. They help you stay on the path of God’s purpose for you.
If we’re really serious about making the most of our lives, then we need to get a coach or mentor to help us fulfill our purpose. (This applies to different aspects of our lives as well).
They don’t necessarily have to be perfect. They only have to be one step ahead of you. And, as you grow spiritually, you can be a mentor to someone else!
Reflection:
- Do you find it difficult to think of someone who could be a mentor to you? How can you surround yourself more with people who are at least one step ahead of you in faith?
- What are some of your fears about having a coach/mentor? What do you think God wants you to do with those fears?
Can you spend one minute in prayer right now? Ask God to lead you and help you take the next step in finding a mentor. Then ask Him to give you more faith and wisdom so you can be an effective mentor to someone else.
Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved!
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Disclaimer: this post contains portions of messages and text originally shared by Ps Rick Warren and Bishop Dag Heward-Mills (both of whom are my mentors in the faith).