Mentoring:
Jesus Spent the Majority of His Time with Twelve, Not Twelve Hundred
Luke 6:12-19
In less than one generation, the disciples of Jesus progressed from ignorant laborers to bold spiritual leaders in what is now the largest organization in the world. How could this transformation occur?
It happened because Jesus spent the bulk of His time with them. The Son of God invested the vast majority of His time with twelve, not twelve hundred. Jesus practiced the axiom: More time with less people equals greater kingdom impact.
Like all good mentors, Jesus provided:
1. Handles: He simplified truth into something his men could grasp, practice, and pass on to others.
2. Roadmaps: Roadmaps give you the big picture; they reveal where you are; they show you what roads to take; and they tell you what roads to avoid. Jesus did this consistently with the Twelve.
3. Laboratories: Labs are safe places for experimentation. Jesus didn’t just lecture, He provided labs for His disciples to practice what they learned.
4. Roots: Jesus gave His followers a firm foundation and a sense of heritage. They sunk their roots into solid ground and were willing to die for him and His teaching.
5. Wings: Jesus empowered His men to soar beyond where he went Himself (John 14:12). He pushed them and cheered them on in their victories.
Sunday AM
Mentoring
21 Christian Growth Issues in the Bible
1 Thessalonians 1:5-8
I. Investing in People Provides the Greatest Leadership Return
a. 1 Thess. 1:5-8
II. Leaders Who Disqualify Themselves from Mentoring Others
a. Luke 11:37-54
III. A Pharisee Comes to Learn from Jesus
a. John 3:1-21
IV. Paul Mentors with Integrity
a. 1 Thess. 2:1-20
Sunday PM
Noble Souls Search The Scriptures
Acts 17:10-15
I. Noble in Searching for Truth
a. Acts 17:5-9
b. Matt. 7:7-8
c. Luke 8:9-11
II. Noble in Recognizing the Source of Truth
a. Matt. 16:17
b. Heb. 1:1-2
c. John 17:17
d. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
III. Noble in Testing Teachers
a. 1 Thess. 5:21-22
b. 1 John 4:1, 6
IV. Noble in Embracing & Obeying the Truth
a. Acts 17:4
b. Acts 17:11-12
c. Acts 19:1-5
V. Conclusion
a. Acts 17:11
b. Rom. 6:3-4
Choose Your Mentors Well:
Elisha Risks the “Big Ask”
2 Kings 2:9, 10
Every leader needs mentors, especially emerging leaders. After watching the great Elijah for many years, Elisha reached down and found the guts to ask Elijah for a double portion of his spirit.
God took Elisha through the preparation necessary under Elijah. The younger man waited for the right time, then made his request. The result? Scripture records that Elisha performed twice as many miracles as did his mentor. Note several principals outlined in 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2 underlying his preparation:
Elisha’s Preparation:
1. He was anointed to replace Elijah
2. Elijah found him plowing a field
3. Elisha touched Elijah’s mantle long before he entered his ministry
4. He asked to kiss his parents good-bye
5. He burned his farming tools
6. He stuck with Elijah wherever he went
7. He absorbed all he could from Elijah
Here are the correlating Leadership Principles:
1. Leaders must understand their call and role
2. Leaders must have a servant’s heart
3. Leaders must wait patiently on God’s perfect timing for their authority
4. Leaders must respect parental authority
5. Leaders must surrender former ambitions
6. Leaders must pursue good mentors
7. Leaders must hunger to grow and develop