Time and time again, we see examples in scripture of seasoned believers coming alongside those new in their faith, whether recent adult converts or young faithful followers. Eli and Samuel, Paul, Lois, Eunice and Timothy, Jesus and His disciples, Jethro and Moses, Elijah and Elisha. God has set a precedent through scripture of the value that mentorship adds to a community.
Early in Moses’s time as the leader of Israel, his father-in-law Jethro saw the potential pitfalls in Moses’s leadership. Moses, like many of us, was overworked and stretched thin.
“You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out…you cannot handle it alone….Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens…That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain.” (Exodus 18:17-23)
Jethro understood both our human limitations and our giftings. Jethro empowered Moses to empower the people because he knew that God desires each of us to know Him and walk in His ways, not just our leaders.
Because of Paul and Timothy’s relationship, we have two books of the Bible filled with advice and Godly wisdom from a mentor to a mentee. And, from what Paul writes about Timothy, we know that he is the product of several mentors, including his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5).
Not only can a mentoring relationship benefit the mentee and her or his community, but God often uses the mentee to draw the mentor closer to Him. In 1 Samuel 3, Eli, who had taken Samuel into his care, recognizes that God is trying to speak to Samuel. He instructs Samuel to present himself as a servant, eager to hear from God’s heart. But when God speaks, his message is for Eli. Eli experienced the heart of God more because he was willing to equip Samuel (1 Samuel 3:18).
At Dwelling Place, we believe discipleship is an essential aspect of being Christian community. In order to support this vision, we promote intentional discipling relationships in our community groups and offer a variety of discipleship and equipping in the Charlottesville area where members have the opportunity to grow in relationship and in pursuit of the knowledge of God with other believers. We encourage you to prayerfully consider how our Loving Father may want to grow you through relationships with others.
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