Adapted from The Word in Life Study Bible (page 444)

Four easy-to-remember action words on mentoring:

1. Care
2. Convey
3. Correct
4. Connect

Close observation from Scripture reveals four key functions of a kingdom-style mentor:

1. Mentors care about those who follow them. Their primary interest is not what they can gain from the relationship, but with what they can give to it. They also realize how much they have to learn from (those they are mentoring). Ultimately, they fulfill Paul’s admonition to look out not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil 2:4).


2. Mentors convey wisdom and skill. Through modeling and coaching, and eventually by turning over responsibility to their followers, kingdom-style mentors seek to make (others) more capable than the mentors have been (Matt 10:25).


3. Mentors correct their followers when they are wrong. An excellent example is Barnabas’ challenge to Paul over taking John Mark along on the second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-39). Later Paul changed his perspective, and asked Timothy to bring John Mark to him (2 Tim 4: 11). Kingdom-style mentors do not avoid confrontation.


4. Mentors connect those they are mentoring to significant others. As Acts 9 shows, Saul’s entrée into the early church was Barnabas. Kingdom-style mentors introduce those they are mentoring to relationships and resources that will further their development and increase their opportunities.