CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

Mentoring Overview

"Mentoring is a recent term especially in Christian circles, but what it describes has been the focus of Christian community since the early church. It is a dynamic relationship of trust in which one person enables another to maximise the grace of God in his/her life and service. It has a sound biblical and theological basis with Jesus as the ultimate model, retaining all that is consistent with his life and teaching."

 

Extract from "Mentoring to Develop Disciples and Leaders" by John Mallison

WATCHING OVER ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

John Wesley's 'General Rules for Methodist Fellowships' (Societies) released in 1743 included, 'Watch over one another in love'. This was the key to his success in retaining those who were converted through that revival. In class meetings and one-to-one, they cared for one another.

PART OF THE FABRIC OF LIFE

Mentoring has always been part of the fabric of society. Parents play a major role in mentoring their children, especially in their earlier years. The artisan/apprentice relationship or the coach of an individual sportsperson or team are common forms of mentoring or coaching. There is a growing emphasis upon mentoring at all levels of commerce, industry, education and public life. An abundance of secular training courses and resources on the subject are widely promoted.


Increasingly, those who take their Christian discipleship and service seriously are seeing the value of having a friend and adviser with whom they can share openly and to whom they can be accountable. As the wise old sage said, 'Two are better than one' (Eccl. 4:9)

JESUS - OUR PRIME MODEL

Jesus, interacting with his disciples, provides our prime mentoring model.  The New Testament is full of ‘one another’ and ‘together’ passages, pointing to Christianity as a relational lifestyle, about community, the power of togetherness.

YOU CAN DO IT

Mentoring is a very significant role every Christian disciple can fulfil - irrespective of age or experience - it is not restricted to ‘giants of the faith’.   The basic requirement is a living relationship with God and an ability to listen and respond sensitively, and to encourage.  If this is true of you, you can be God’s agent in enriching another person’s life.

Note: To read documents/articles (in PDF format) on this page you need ADOBE READER (free). Click HERE to download and install it.

Mentoring Book By John Mallison

Mentoring Book

"Mentoring To Develop Disciples and Leaders". Click HERE for contents, commendations, reviews or to order.

 

 

Resources For Mentoring Sessions

Diagnostic tools, discussion starters, Bible studies, articles, etc, for use in mentoring and training sessions and retreats.

DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS
DISCUSSION STARTERS
BIBLE STUDIES

The following Bible studies can be used between mentoring sessions, in training or during retreats

MENTORING/DISCIPLESHIP ARTICLES

In this section experienced Christian leaders share their reflections on specific issues/challenges they have faced, how they sought to deal with them and the actual outcomes. These are not "sermonettes" but open, honest sharing of the struggles faced by those who seek "to live and walk in the Spirit" , making Jesus Christ their Lord. A few reflective questions accompany each resource. Mentors can occasionally have their mentorees work on one of these resources between sessions with the aim of relating it to their own situations and reporting back their responses.

OTHER MATERIAL

Resources For Transition Retreats

For those passing through a significant change in their life and/or the vocation/ministry, the following link contains comprehensive notes for leaders and resources for retreatants. They are designed and used extensively by John Mallison.

Articles by John Mallison to Promote Mentoring

Helpful Ideas On Mentoring By Other Authors

Legal Pitfalls In Mentoring And How To Avoid Them

Most denominations have their Codes of Ethics with which all helpers need to be cognisant. This resource focuses on legal matters of which it is imperative we are fully aware, especially in the current climate of litigation.

Recommended Reading for Mentoring/Discipleship

           (By no means an exhaustive list)

 

   You will find detailed descriptions and reviews of most of these books at Amazon

   UNDERSTANDING DISCIPLESHIP, CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP FOCUS AND MENTOR TRAINING
  GENERAL MATERIAL FOR USE IN DISCIPLING RELATIONSHIPS
  ASSURANCE OF SALVATION RESOURCES
  JERRY BRIDGES BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
  OTHER RESOURCE BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
  DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES - VARIOUS

These resources are from the RBC Ministries website (www.rbc.org) - there are many more similar articles within the Discovery Series area (all files are PDF format).

  DOCTRINE
  TARGETED BIBLE STUDY MATERIAL - BIBLE, GENERAL

Links to other Mentoring/Discipleship Sites

The Bible Unpacked

Barnabas Network - Rev. Mike Robinson's website

Campus Crusade for Christ

Christian Mentoring: Equipping Believers to Evangelize, Nurture, Disciple and Multiply

Discipleship Encounters

Discipleship Library

Discipleship Resources from the Upper Room Bookstore (USA)

Evangelism Toolbox

General Board of Discipleship

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary - Dimensions of the Faith courses

Gospelcom - Discipleship Resources

John Mark Ministries

The Navigators

Omega Discipleship Ministries - discipleship courses for sale

RBC Ministries

The Theology Program- theology training site with discussion forum