Mentoring

Nov 21st, 2012 Mentoring

Today’s Passages –Acts 17 – 19

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)

“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” – (Acts 18:24-26)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – (2 Timothy 2:2)

In our text today we read about a man named Apollos, who was a bold witness for the Lord Jesus in the synagogue in Ephesus. The Bible tells us that this man was eloquent in the Scriptures, and had some knowledge of the Scriptures, but he had not yet been taught all that he needed to learn in order to be the most effective witness for the Lord. When Aquila and Priscilla find him, they take him under their wings, and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly”, meaning they gave him instruction and guidance that would help him to better serve the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:2 says that we are to take what God has given us, and “commit” them to faithful men. I thank God for the men who mentored me when I was a young Christian. These folks not only taught me Biblical principles, they also helped polish and refine some of my rough edges. They invested in my life and ministry, and now I am better equipped for the Lord’s work as a result. Even today, though I have been saved for over twenty years, and have been pastoring for eleven, I still find myself drawn to some of the older pastors, who can continue to instruct and guide me along the way. I recently went on a men’s retreat with Pastor Charlie Horton, a man in his 80’s who has been serving God full-time for over half a century. Our church also just had Dr. Paul Fedena, who is also near 80 years of age, in to preach for our Harvest Banquet. I can learn much from these men. They have had a lot more experience than I have had, and they have also gleaned much knowledge through the years that I can put to use in my ministry. I would be foolish not to welcome their counsel.

My challenge to you younger Christians out there is to find someone who has been saved, separated, and serving Jesus longer than you have, and latch on to him (or her). Glean what you can glean, learn what you can learn. Don’t ever get to the place where you think that you no longer need to grow and learn more. I am always looking for people who are a little further down the road than I am so that I can follow and learn from them as they follow the Lord.

My challenge to you older Christians is to find a young believer, and invest some time and energy in him. Pay back a little of what others have given you to help get you where you are today. There is no greater blessing than to mentor a young, eager servant of the Lord.