CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE
- Mentoring Overview
- Mentoring Book by John Mallison
- Resources for Mentoring Sessions
- Resources for Transition Retreats
- Articles by John Mallison to Promote Mentoring
- Helpful Ideas on Mentoring by Other Authors
- Legal Pitfalls in Mentoring and How to Avoid Them
- Recommended Reading for Mentoring/Discipleship
- Links to Other Mentoring/Discipleship Sites
Mentoring Overview
"Mentoring is a relatively 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. "Watching over one another" is the essence of mentoring.
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.
- Men - Although many often fear to share their inner struggles, thoughts and feelings, lest disclosure erodes others’ confidence in them, they can bond with others to provide exemplary support.
- Women - are natural mentors and co-mentors, because they usually find it easy to talk about deep issues with friends.
- Busy people - Some of the best mentoring is done by those who are very active.
- Housebound - Many who are housebound because of young families or physical disability mentor effectively by means of their phones, email or by inviting others to visit them.
- Seniors - Mentoring can be a very fulfilling role for those of mature years, allowing them to grow older as participants rather than spectators!
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Mentoring Book By John Mallison
"Mentoring To Develop Disciples and Leaders". Released 1998, revised August, 2004 and reprinted 2010. 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
- Identifying Your Needs Worksheet - An aid for mentorees as they seek to identify their needs for discussion with their mentor.
- Whole-Person Wellness Instrument - A questionnaire for mentors to give to mentorees, to aid mentors in identifying the needs of mentorees (revised Spetember, 2007).
- Year-End Journey Worksheet - A list of questions to aid mentorees in reflection on the past year and for looking ahead to the new year.
- Enriching Our Marriage - An aid for mentorees and their spouses for assessing key areas of their relationship.
- Managing My Personal & Family Life - Questions about caring for yourself, your spouse children & friends
- A Prayer for the End & Beginning of a Year - by Leighton Ford
- Reflections on Old & New Years - Based on Leighton Ford's prayer above
DISCUSSION STARTERS
- Postcards on a Journey ... Reflections of a Christ Follower. Most of the chapters in John Mallison's latest book make an excellent practical resource for mentoring sessions. Both mentors and mentorees could read a chapter beforehand and use any appropriate insight as part of their reflection together. (See Appendix: A Guide to Engaging with Each Other.). Order the book HERE.
- Perceived Causes of Failure in Leaders
- Disadvantages of Trying to Make it on Our Own
- How Can a Minister Stay Focused on Ministry (article by C Lloyd Wyman) - discussion starter for training or mentoring session
- Professional Supervision of Christian Leaders - discussion starter for training session
BIBLE STUDIES
The following Bible studies can be completed by a mentoree and then reflected on in a mentoring sessions. They are useful resources in training events or during retreats.
- The Apostle Paul's Advice on Finishing Well
- The Sermon on the Mount
- Juggling our Jezebels
- Don't Go it Alone
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.
- God, I'm Angry With You and Your People! : A story of burn out - honest reflections and hope for God's healing
- The One Minute Ministry - John Planner: Making the most of opportunities in our busy schedules
- When Ministry Skills are not Enough - Ian Jagelman: A refreshing look at leadership
- God's Guidance in a Crisis - Gordon Dicker: Why it's sometimes difficult to know God's guidance
- An Insatiable Desire - Ken Cornwell: Dealing with the desire to please others
- My Seductive Mistress - Mike Robinson: Encouragement to return to our first love
OTHER MATERIAL
- Action Plan - For use by mentorees as follow up to mentoring sessions or during/following a transition retreat
- Finishing Well - Some research on failure, and how to succeed
** Video Interview of John by Rowland Forman **
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 have been used extensively by John Mallison with positive outcomes.
Articles by John Mallison to Promote Mentoring
Helpful Ideas On Mentoring By Other Authors
- Encouragement in Mentoring - Robyn Claydon
- My Unique Me (Mum) - Julie Freund
- Women Are Natural Mentors (Mentorees)
- Managing My Personal and Family Life - Arrow Leadership Program
- Mentoring With Gladwrap - Cornerstone Communities
- Mentoring and Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Para Vista (South - Australia) - Stephen Trautwein
- Mentoring: In Good Company - Paul Fenton
- My Heroes - Waylon Moore
Legal Pitfalls In Mentoring And How To Avoid Them
- Legal Pitfalls in Mentoring ... and How to Avoid Them - Prepared by a legal team headed by Phillip Leslie. LLB., B.D.
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
- Mentoring Matters (Rick Lewis, 2009, Monarch Books)
- The Divine Mentor (Wayne Cordeiro, 2007, Bethany House Publishers)
- Down to Earth Discipling (S. Morton, 2003, Navpress)
- The Lost Art of Disciple Making (Leroy Eims, 1978, Zondervan/Navpress)
- Disciples Are Made Not Born (Walter A. Henrichsen, 1974, Victor Books)
- Spiritual Discipleship (J. Oswald Sanders, 1990, The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago)
- Lifestyle Discipleship (Jim Petersen, 1993, Navpress)
- The Master Plan of Discipleship (Robert E. Coleman, 1987, Baker Book House Company)
- Transforming Discipleship (Greg Ogden, 2003, InterVarsity Press)
- Built to Last - Towards a Disciplemaking Church (Edmund Chan, 2001, Covenant Evangelical Free Church - Singapore)
- Discipleship For the Man in the Mirror (Patrick Morley, 1998, Zondervan)
- Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, orig. 1937, (now) Fortress Press)
- The Cost of discipleship (Deitrich Bonhoeffer, SCM Press)
- Discipleship (David Watson, 1981, Hodder & Stoughton)
- Christ's Call to Discipleship (James Montgomery Boice, 1986, Kregel Publications)
- Discipleship - The Next Step in Following Jesus (Greg Laurie, 1993, Harvest House Publishers)
- The Disciple-Making Church (Bill Hull, 1990, Fleming H. Revell)
- The Disciple-Making Pastor (Bill Hull, 1988, Fleming H. Revell)
- The Disciple-Making Church (Glenn McDonald, 2004, Faith Walk Publishing)
- Christian Discipleship - A Step-By-Step Guide to Fulfilling the Great Commission (Dr. Steven Collins, 1989, Hensley publishing)
- Jesus Christ - Disciplemaker (Bill Hull, 2004, Baker Books)
- Growing True Disciples (George Barna, 2001, Waterbrook Press)
- As Iron Sharpens Iron - Building Character in Mentoring Relationships (W. Hendricks, H. Hendricks, 1995, Moody)
GENERAL MATERIAL FOR USE IN DISCIPLING RELATIONSHIPS
- Discipleship Essentials (Greg Ogden, 1998, InterVarsity Press)
- The Navigator Bible Series Handbook (1994, Navpress)
- Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life (D. Whitney, 1991, Navpress)
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION RESOURCES
- Why Am I a Christian (J. Stott, 2003, InterVarsity Press)
- God in the Dark - The Assurance of Faith Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt (O. Guinness, 1996, Crossway)
- Assurance of Salvation (PDF) (from RBC Ministries Website)
- Why Believe? (C. Stephen Evans, 1996, Eerdmans/InterVarsity Press)
- Reasonable Faith (W. L. Craig, 1994, Crossway) - Advanced
- Faith Has It's Reasons (Kenneth D. Boa, R. Bowman, 2006, Paternoster) - Advanced
JERRY BRIDGES BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
- The Pursuit of Holiness (1985, Navpress)
- The Practice of Godliness (1985, Navpress)
- Trusting God (1991, Navpress)
- Discipline of Grace (1994, Navpress)
OTHER RESOURCE BOOKS - CHRISTIAN LIFE, GROWTH AND DISCIPLESHIP
- Unloading the Overload - Stress Management for Christians (C. Baker, G. Baker, 1998, Strand Publishing)
- Humility (Andrew Murray, 1982, Whittaker House)
- A Fresh Start (John Chapman, 1997, Matthias Media)
- Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster, 1989, Hodder & Stoughton)
- Margin - Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives (R. Swenson, 2004, Navpress)
- Face to Face -Praying Scriptures for Intimate Worship, Volume 1 (Kenneth D. Boa, 1997, Zondervan)
- Face to Face -Praying Scriptures for Intimate Worship, Volume 2 (Kenneth D. Boa, 1997, Zondervan)
- The Heart of God -Praying the Scriptures to Expand Your Vision (Kenneth D. Boa, 2005, Zondervan)
- The Call (O. Guinness, 1998, Paternoster)
- Renovation of the Heart (Dallas Willard, 2002, InterVarsity Press, UK/Navpress)
- The Great Omission (Dallas Willard, 2006, Harper Collins)
- A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Don Carson, 2002, Baker Books)
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).
- How Do You Live the Christian life?
- What Does it Take to Follow Christ?
- What Does God Think of Me Now?
- What is a Personal Relationship With God?
DOCTRINE
- Basic Christianity (John R. W. Stott, 2008, Intervarsity Press)
- Decide For Yourself - A Theological Workbook (G.R. Lewis, 1970, InterVarsity Press)
- Bible Doctrine (Wayne Grudem, 1999, InterVarsity Press, UK/Zondervan)
- Essential Truths of the Christian Faith (R. C. Sproul, 1992, Tyndale)
TARGETED BIBLE STUDY MATERIAL - BIBLE, GENERAL
- Explorer's Guide to the Bible (John Grayston, 2008, Scripture Union)
- The Language of God (R. Julian, J.A. Crabtree, D. Crabtree, 2001, Navpress)
- How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth (G. Fee, D. Stuart, 2003, Zondervan)
- How to Read Proverbs (T. Longman, 2002, InterVarsity Press)
- The Message of the Old Testament (M. Dever, 2006, Crossway) -
audio version available at www.capitolhillbaptist.org - The Message of the New Testament (M. Dever, 2006, Crossway) -
audio version available at www.capitolhillbaptist.org - Grasping God's Word (Duvall, Hays, 2005, Zondervan) - Advanced
Links to other MENTORING/DISCIPLESHIP WEBSITES
Peter Corney - Foundations: Perspectives on the Christian Faith and Culture
A counseling, consulting, preaching, mentoring, seminar and writing ministry, especially for pastors, ex-pastors, church leaders and their spouses.
The Bible Unpacked - Paul J. Mallison
Mentoring Disciples- Waylon B. Moore's comprehansive Discipleship site
Barnabas Network - Rev. Mike Robinson's website
World Vision (Australia) Kid's Hope Program (see Kid's Hope endorsement below)
Rod Denton - Equipping the next generation (ENG). See John's endorsement of Rod Denton below.Christian Mentoring: Equipping Believers to Evangelize, Nurture, Disciple and Multiply
Discipleship Resources from the Upper Room Bookstore (USA) - S A Media Com
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary - Dimensions of the Faith courses
Gospelcom - Discipleship Resources
Omega Discipleship Ministries - discipleship courses for sale
The Theology Program- theology training site with discussion forum
Christian Menotring would like to ensdorse the Kid's Hope program which originated in the USA and was introduced into Australia by World Vision when John Mallison was Chari Person of their national committee responsible for this innovation. Here is some detail about what they do:

"World Vision's KIDS HOPE AUS is an early intervention mentoring program for primary school children. The KIDS HOPE AUS model - 'One Child, One Hour, One Church, One School' works by establishing a partnership between a local church and a local primary school. The church commits to appointing a coordinator who is trained to recruit, screen, train and support a team of mentors who will meet one-to-one with a primary school child for at least one academic year. A mark of the success of these mentoring relationships is the fact that most mentors choose to continue mentoring their child for several years. In just five years, more than 3000 children have been matched with their own caring mentor from a local church."
Here are 2 examples of 'stories of the week':
Jocelyn has been mentoring Kate for a year. Throughout last year Kate was always in trouble at school - on detention and summoned to the Principal's office. Half way through the first term of 2010, Kate ran up to Jocelyn with some very exciting news - she hadn't been in trouble once this year. Jocelyn and Kate were over the moon!
After a wonderful Christmas KIDS HOPE AUS. Party last December (Jumping Castle and all ) one of the mentored children whose Mum, Dad and brother attended was saddened, as she was going to High School the following year and would not be mentored any more. Her solution was to ask her whole family to come to our church. They were welcomed and cared for and have attended regularly ever since!
For more information please visit the Kid's hope website. To receive regular 'Stories of the Week' contact the Kid's Hope Office at World Vision directly on (03) 9287 2606 or email chris.wright@worldvision.com.au.
Rod Denton - Equipping the Next Generation (ENG)
Allow me to introduce you to Rod Denton, one of my long term mentorees who two years ago began a new season of life in a ministry he has entitled Equipping The Next Generation.
Following 28 years as a pastor serving in Melbourne and Adelaide, Rod together with his wife Sue, have stepped out in faith to respond to the great need of investing in leaders in Australia and also in a number of Asian countries. Rod's ministry includes mentoring, seminars, consulting in Churches, writing and recording of leadership materials, preaching and various retreats.
Rod is one of Australia's most outstanding Christian leaders who in an exemplary fashion has led a very effective missional church, skillfully managing, mentoring and developing a large leadership team.
Many leaders nationally and internationally have greatly benefited from his well received leadership training events.
His varied skills, wide experience and intimate relationship with Christ will enable him to equip many new and mature leaders to serve and finish well. He is a devoted husband and father.
To find out more about Rod and his ministry, please go to his web site at www.roddentoneng.com.au
.....John Mallison
