Spiritual Mentoring

Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

1. Upward

2. Sideways (Peer)

3. Downward

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

What spiritual mentoring is “not.” (Adapted from David Benner’s Sacred Champions.)1. New2. Authoritarian3. Giving advice4. Curriculum controlled discipling5. Preaching6. Moral guidance7. Counselling8. Teaching9. Coaching

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

An intentional, relational process for spiritual formation by which one person becomes a spiritual guide for one or several others

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Formation

God’s first concern is who we are, not what we do

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Formation

Why is spiritual formation important? – Ministry Reasons

• Key Reason for Ministry Failure (Galatians 2:11-14)- Usually character failure- Peter’s character flaw (cave in to strict Jewish laws)

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Formation

• The Components of Christlikeness

1. Knowledge

2. Character

3. Relationships

4. Service

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Formation

• Formation Resources

1. Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:12-18)

2. The Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

3. God’s community (Proverbs 27:17) – People shape people

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Mentoring

• Components of Spiritual Mentoring

1. It is relational

Some variations:

a. Formal Informal

b. One-directional Mutual (best)

c. Official Unofficial

d. Individualistic Small groups

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Mentoring

• Components of Spiritual Mentoring

2. It is autobiographical – share part of your own life (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

3. It is done in partnership with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:12-18)

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional FriendshipsI. Spiritual Mentoring

• Components of Spiritual Mentoring

4. It is purposive

a. Encouragement: Moses – Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

b. Discernment: Eli – Samuel (1 Samuel 3:8)

c. Accountability: Nathan – David (2 Samuel 12)

d. Spiritual Reminding: Abigail – David (1 Samuel 25)

e. Wisdom for decision-making: Naomi – Ruth (Ruth)

f. Empowerment: Elijah – Elisha (2 Kings 2)

g. Teaching and Correction: Priscilla & Aquila – Apollos (Acts 18)

h. Appeal for Growth: Paul – Philemon (Philemon)

Spiritual Mentoring: Growing Lives Through Intentional Friendships

I. Spiritual Mentoring

• Components of Spiritual Mentoring

5. It requires listening (James 1:19)

6. It requires discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

7. It is a ministry for all believers (1 Thessalonians 5:11)