Mentoring Others Into Minisry - Allowing God To Use You To Help Others

Mentoring Others into Ministry – Allowing God to Work Through Us to Help Others

Titus 2:1-10

Strengthening our Faith – 2009 Black Creek (3/29/09)

God has richly blessed us with many new converts over the recent months and years. God has richly blessed us with new opportunities for ministry – what are we doing with them? God has promised us that “He’ll be faithful – if we are faithful to Him.” Are we being faithful to Him? Are we helping younger believers progress in the faith? Are we teaching our children and youth the ways of the Lord? Are we living in a way that would help lead someone to Christ?

Today, we discuss allowing God to work through us to help others – Mentoring if you will.

MENTORING AS A CHURCH PRACTICE "...In most churches, the congregation pays the pastor to preach, win the lost, and build up the saved—-while the church members function as cheerleaders (if they are enthusiastic) or spectators. The "converts" are won, baptized, and given the right hand of fellowship, then they join the other spectators. How much faster our churches would grow, and how much stronger and happier our church members would be, if each one were discipling another believer. The only way a local church can "be fruitful and multiply" (instead of growing by "additions") is with a systematic discipleship program. This is the responsibility of every believer, and not just a small group who have been ’called to go.’" Source: Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c 1989). The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 28:16). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

TEXT

I. Older Believers Helping Younger Believers

Unfortunately, the epitaph of many a man is well expressed in the words "Died, age 26; buried, age 64." If you stop learning and growing today, you stop ministering tomorrow. [Dr Howard G. Hendricks - A Mandate For Mentoring - SEVEN PROMISES OF A PROMISE KEEPER].

1 Timothy 6:17 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

Matthew 28:19 – Go ye therefore and TEACH all nations!

a. Doctrine (knowing what you believe/teaching what you believe)

"Discipleship is like the generation gap between parents and children: We often tell kids to grow up. They can’t grow up. They need mentoring. They can’t grow up because they’ve never been there before. We as parents, have been there. The goal is not for them to grow up but for us to become like them and show them how. That’s what Jesus did. He became like them to show them how." --Dan Riemenschneider, Heathy Church Initiative Director, The Missionary Church, Inc.

b. Living (living out what you believe)

James 1:22 – We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only

Many folks say it – but few folks do it

c. Helping (helping out in the good and bad times of life)

d. Encouraging (a pat on the back doesn’t hurt)

Writing in a recent issue of Focus on the Family magazine author Stu Weber illustrates the need for a Christian "buddy" to help us survive the tough times. In 1967 a grizzled old noncom at Fort Benning, Ga. taught [the soul-buttressing impact of "mutual mentoring"] ... to a formation of ramrod-straight troops: "Never go into battle alone!" The war in Vietnam was building to its peak, and one stop for young army officers was the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning. The venerable, steely-eyed veteran told us the next nine weeks would test out mettle as it had never been tested. The sergeant said many wouldn’t make the grade--it was just too tough. (Turned out he was right. Of 287 in the formation that day, only 110 finished the nine weeks.) I can still hear that raspy voice cutting through the morning humidity like a serrated blade. "We are here to save your lives," he preached. "We’re going to see to it that you overcome all your natural fears--especially of height and water. We’re going to show you just how much incredible stress the human mind and body can endure. And when we’re finished with you, you will be the U.S. Army’s best. You will not only survive in combat, you will accomplish your mission!" Then, before he dismissed the formation, the hardened Ranger sergeant announced our first assignment. We’d steeled ourselves for something really tough -- running 10 miles in full battle gear or rappelling down a sheer cliff. So the noncoms first order caught us off guard. He told us to find a buddy. Some of us would have preferred the cliff. "This is step one," he growled. "You need to find yourself a Ranger buddy. You will stick together. You will never leave each other. You will encourage each other, and, as necessary, you will carry each other. It was the Army’s way of saying, "Difficult assignments require a friend. Together is better. You need someone to help you accomplish the tough course ahead." Stu Weber, "Some One to Lean On" Focus on the Family Magazine (June 1996).