Mentoring is a multi-phase process.
Although described in different ways by
different people, each description of the
process illustrates the essential steps for
developing someone from being a follower
into becoming a mentor. According to one
description, the steps go like this: 1) I do, you
watch; 2) I do, you help; 3) You do, I help; 4)
You do, I watch; 5) You do, someone else
watches (thus it comes full circle). Each of us
has been mentored in one way or another,
whether intentionally or unintentionally. It is
part of our growth. In order to learn, we must
have someone to show us—someone to
follow. And, in order to learn and grow and
improve, we have to practice in the areas in
which we are trying to grow. In order to “make
it to the next step,” we eventually have to do
what it is that we have been shown and taught
to do.
We see in the gospels the works of Jesus,
and also his mentoring process with the
Twelve. We read elsewhere in the NT the
words of inspired authors, most of whom were
part of the Twelve, and virtually all of whom
encountered Jesus in one way or another. We
see them in a mature state, having been
mentored by Jesus or by his first followers,
and now mentoring us through the power of
Scripture.
As Christian people, we by definition
are followers of Christ. Learning from
Jesus means to practice what Jesus
practiced. To learn godliness is to practice
godliness. To learn kindness is to practice
kindness. To learn holiness is to practice
holiness. And so on.
“Although he was a son, he learned
obedience from what he suffered” (Heb.
5:8). Thus, to learn obedience is to
practice obedience. It is integral to
following Jesus.
–Ricky