3/4 - Mentoring for Kingdom Purposes: Three more Key Components By Bill Niconson & Josimar Salum
5 - Accountability
Mentoring also provides a means for accountability. Just as Jesus held His disciples accountable we must do so as well.
The one flaw with accountability is that it is only as good as the integrity of the individual. I know that sounds contradictory but it’s true. You will only be accountable as you CHOOSE to be. I can’t make you no one can make you.
That is the reason trust is a vital factor in the mentor relationship. We will only share our thoughts, problems, victories and triumphs to people we trust.
I suggest that in order to be successful in a mentorship process a covenant agreement should be made between the two mentoring parties, the mentor and the mentoree. This agreement should include transparency, accountability, meeting times, confidentiality and a prayer covenant. This paves the way for Mutual respect.
6 - Mutual Respect
A mentor never control or dominate the life of the one he or she is mentoring.
Abusive models of what many have called “discipleship” have caused more damaged to people than helping them.
The mentor based on biblical principles never makes decisions, never interferes with directions and never demands exclusive submission or total obedience to the people he or she mentors.
It must be understood clearly that we “make disciples” for Jesus. The disciples are not ours, but the Lord’s.
“The next day John was again with two of his disciples. He saw Jesus walking by. John said, "Look! The Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this. So they followed Jesus.” (John 1:35-37)
The mentor is not superior to the one is mentored. Nor is the mentored superior to the mentor. Both parties will learn from each other.
A true servant of Jesus Christ knows that it’s by the grace of God that they are who they are, a human being who was once enslaved by sin and now being transformed by the Holy Spirit. A true child of God no matter how new they are in that relationship have begun to live and experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
We are all on a path towards transformation which means that no one is superior to the other. God is performing that work in all of us. “I am sure that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
A mentor should be willing to open up completely to the person that they are mentoring. Any question is “NOT” off limits.
A full transparent relationship is required in order for the mentoring relationship to move forward. Authenticity matters. It’s one way and a significant way that the world knows we are who we say we are.
7 - Self denial and Sacrifice
“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
In the same way, any of you who do not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-33)
Jesus appointed areas of self denial you and I will follow through when becoming His disciples.
It will affect our values and priorities in life.
Jesus Christ becomes the exclusive source of our trust, loyalty and learning resources.
Jesus Christ becomes the ultimate reason for living for or dying for.
Jesus becomes the exclusive dedication of our lives no matter what we loose or give up
The self denial and sacrifices of the mentor and the mentoree relationship is towards Jesus Christ and not to themselves. Because mentors and the ones they mentor are all equal disciples of Jesus Christ.
It is Jesus who places His priorities in our lives. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, brothers and sisters have theirs places already on Jesus’ list. Whoever prioritizes ministry over family had become worse than the unbelievers.
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (I Timothy 5:8)
To be continued
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