Mentorship, Mentor and Mentee - PsalmistInk

Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be older or younger than the person being mentored, but he or she must have a certain area of expertise. Christian mentoring is largely about modeling a mature Christian life and being there for the student when questions arise. This does not mean that the teacher is perfect, but that he has more knowledge and experience with the word of God and is seeking to live a victorious Christian life. So many character defects and deviation from biblical principles can be traced to the absence or failure of mentorship.

1: BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF MENTORSHIP 

Mentorship is a process that always involves communication and it is relationship-based. It is learning and development partnership between someone with vast experience and someone who wants to learn. (2Kings 1:1-3). Scripture does give numerous examples of mentoring. Moses was mentored by his father-in-law Jethro, first as son-in-law and then as leader (Exodus 18). Moses in turn mentored Joshua (Num.27:18). The mentoring relationship between Eli and Samuel prepared Samuel for the tasks and responsibilities that were after his after Eli’s death. Jesus Christ mentored His disciples (Luke 9), and both Barnabas and Paul excelled in mentoring (Acts 9:15). Paul had a clear mentoring relationship with with Timothy (1 Tim.1:1-4) and Titus (Titus 1:4)

Mentorship also has a serious link with you he personality trait of a mentor. A godly mentor is expected to be a genuine believer and follower of Christ (1 Cor.11:1), spirit-filled (Isa.11:2) and full of wisdom (Deut.34:9). Patience is an indisputable quality (1 Thess.5:14). A mentor must have a thorough knowledge of the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15), bold (2 Cor. 10:1) and of good report (1 Tim.3:1-7).   

 2 :BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN MENTORSHIP

One of the numbers of the benefits is psychological /emotional support. When a mentee, (the person being mentored), is troubled in life, he/she should be able to approach his/her mentor for psychological/emotional comfort (2 Kings 6:1-7). Guidance is a no benefit of mentorship: the mentee will be guided to live a responsible and accountable life in order to fulfill God’s purpose ( 1 Sam.3:7-9), Godly counsel is an added value through acquisition of doctrinal knowledge that can be passed unto others (2 Tim. 2:2).The mentee will also learn from the experience of the mentor, follow the steps and avoid the mistakes made by the mentor thereby saving the mentee from avoidable errors (Exodus 18:13-19; Prov. 11:14). Mentorship helps to establish the mentee in the faith for proper spiritual maturation (1 Thess.3:2-6; 4:9,10; 5:11-15).

 OLAYIWOLA DAVID O.

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