Mentoring
by Rachael Stelzer
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And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
Paul sits in a Roman dungeon in chains. He is suffering persecution at the hands of Nero. He can feel that his life is coming to an end. This is the time for his last will and testament. This is his chance to say what is really important. And his thoughts turn to his son in the faith, Timothy.
Paul has been with Timothy at many important times in his faith and life. Timothy has learned so much from Paul. What can Paul say to encourage Timothy in his ongoing ministry?
Paul writes, ‘You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus’. Be strong in arguments? No. Be strong in military might or physical power? No. Be strong in grace.
And Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned and teach it to those who can teach others. Paul uses metaphors for Timothy’s ongoing work. He is a soldier, trying to please his commanding officer. He is an athlete, competing according to the rules. He is a farmer, who works hard for his share of the crops.
Psalm 145:4 says, ‘One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts’.
As an educator, and more recently as a school chaplain, one of my greatest joys is to talk with students about God and tell them of the wonders of God’s love in their own language. And I have been sharing these things for so long that occasionally I have the great joy to hear an adult in their 20s or 30s recite back to me something I told them years ago. I may have forgotten, but they have not.
We all have mentors, and we can all be mentors. Can you think of a mentor, a Paul figure, who has imparted wisdom to you? Do you act as a mentor to one or more Timothys, loving and encouraging them in the ways of God? And if you have not considered yourself a mentor in the past, could you commit to intentionally encouraging others, in your church, family or workplace? Small groups are a wonderful forum for this encouragement, but they are certainly not the only place that mentoring can take place.
May God bless you as you share his grace with those around you.
Heavenly Father, please inspire me with gratitude to those who have mentored me. Please help me to look for those I can mentor, encourage and teach, as one generation commends your works to another. Amen.
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