Sermon by Jamie Wilson - 2nd Timothy 1:1-14 - May 13, 2007 - www.coastvineyard.org
—

We need mentors to raise the bar for each other.

Mentoring means getting out of individualism and self sufficiency and into a posture of dependency and learning.

Mentoring Relationships

1. Mentoring is a commitment to love regardless of the circumstances (Paul most likely had been sentenced to death by Caesar Nero at the time that he wrote this letter to Timothy)

2. Regular prayer is the foundation for great mentoring. (Who is praying for you and who are you praying for?)

3. The healthiest mentoring relationships are open enough to share both joy and tears (not just a knowledge transfer).

4. At its best, mentoring is spiritual parenting. (parenting heart).

Mentoring Roles

1. Mentoring begins with seeing potential in others.

2. Mentors encourage others (and empower them by sharing God given resources)

3. Mentors have the ability to break fear (the cowardly type, not the fear of God type) in the next generation

4. Wise mentors help others depend on both God’s power and God’s love.

5. Mentors call others to mental discipline.

The Responsibility of the Mentor

1. Mentors have the responsibility to model courage for us.

2. We need examples of faith that stays focused.

3. Mentors challenge us to guard what God has given us. (”triumphant nonsense- don’t accept it just because it tastes good.”)

Moving forward as a Community of Learners

1. Who does God want us to learn from?

2. Who does God want us to invest in?

—

My Thoughts:
Often we don’t want to be involved in mentoring relationships. We don’t want to be mentored because we don’t want the responsibility of being held accountable to living the way we are called to live, instead of the way we want to live. We don’t want to be mentors because we don’t want the responsibility of making sure someone else’s needs are met. We ask questions, like…”how can I provide answers for questions I have not faced myself?” Well, mentoring is not about answers, instead its about seeking answers together from God. I really like how Pastor Jamie puts it, that the purpose of a mentor is to raise the bar. If we have no one sharpening us, expecting us to reach some lofty potential, we tend to stagnate in the comfortable status quo.