Sponsor/Mentor

Galatians 6:1–2 NKJV

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Introduction:

We came here for freedom and found a simple program of recovery. Than we discovered the difference between the words “simple”, and “easy” and the canyon that is between them in meaning. Simple is not easy!

Then we discover that we where never ment to do this alone; the Lord provided three basic places for help. The small group that meets right after this service.

Step studies.

Lastly, through the Sponsor/mentor relationship.

1. The steps are simple not easy.

We can read the steps and in a very basic way understand them.

The problem is it is simple to understand but not easy to do.

If we don’t start living out the principles our lives will never change.

If our lives never change we will never know freedom.

how do we do this?

We get help.

The help we need comes from three places:

1. The small groups at the after this “Big Group”

This is why staying on topic is so important in the small group.

This is why you need to concern yourself with whether or not you share at every opening. (do you know the difference between a friend group and a small group? Are you in such need of friendship that you are in every program you can find?

Have you learned how to listen? or rather are you waiting to share better than the next guy or gal?

If you have not learned to listen to others you may find that you are cutting yourself off from the fellowship that you need.

If you are having a hard time listening stop looking for opportunities to share.

I was so eager to be used by the Lord, I had a hard time listening, also I am an extreme extrovert. I want to know everyone in the room. I want to know their story. Slowing my brain down sometimes feels impossible, I started caring small notebooks so I could right down questions that come to mind when getting to know someone. Another thing I have learned to do is ask people if what I think they are saying is actually what they mean to say. Half of the things Brandon thinks I have added to conversations where simply me summarizing what I heard him say. Brandon has had some wonderful conversations with himself with my ears and mind in the room. It is simply a tool that I learned to use when wanting to be a good listener. I listen because I care.

In contrast, some of us may not listen because we fear no one cares… I am just going to leave that right here.

before I move on from this rather long sub-point I would like to point out that many of us came here with massive insecurity, many of us after years of being in and around ministry and recovery are still dealing with them. You are not alone! small group is a great place to share those insecurities and watch your progress.

2.Step studies are a good place to learn that you are not terminally unique.

Recovery @ The Rock works in partnership with Steps Abilene. We recommend the step studies through them.

We hope to use the Re:Generation materials as soon as we can get two woman from The Rock to compete step studies and the required additional training.

3. Lastly, we find help through a sponsor/mentor.

Don’t get a sponsor so that you have someone to call. Get a sponsor because you see that God is working in their life and you want what they have spiritually.

Let that sponsor challenge your desire to cover your wrongs and short comings.

You can develop a very deep relationship with a sponsor mentor much like we develop with family. However, don’t rob yourself of the freedom you came here to find by misusing the relationship.

2. A Sponsor/Mentor is in your life to walk through your heart and soul as you move toward the Lord through steps.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

This journey confronts the lies that built your prison.

This Journey dismantles the prison that you built through acting on the lies we all believed.

3. Your sponsor/mentor helps you confront your fears as you get into the action steps like making amends.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

fear is a real thing.

one of the main thing that fear wants to do to us is render us parallelized, unable to act or move. This allows the prison that brought us here to stand.

How does fear accomplish that? through Isolation.

Sponsor/mentor gives one less opportunity to do that."A spiritually effective sponsor doesn't just help you get through steps or listen when you call; they continually point you back to Christ, the source of true freedom. They guide you spiritually by example, consistently directing your heart to scripture, prayer, and deeper intimacy with God.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NKJV

9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Conclusion

Tonight we learned that simple may not be easy, we learned in addition to this program we might need to develop deeper relationships by becoming better listeners and friends so we don’t end up in a bunch of bible studies and groups and still feel alone. thereby not getting what we need in the friendships or the groups.

We learned by having a mentor/sponsor we learn that the true lies in our hearts and lives. We also learn that we are loved despite our many deep wrongdoings. This comes from honest step work which is why we are here.

We learn that when we do our homework and participate in a step study we are not terminally unique.

Finally, we learn that through the proper use of a sponsor/mentor, we diminish the opportunity to be parallelized and isolated by fear.

The proper motive for working the program of recovery not only brings us out of prison faster,it also brings us closer to Christ, community, and being used for His glory.

Small Group Discussion Question: “Which of the three areas (small groups, step studies, or sponsorship/mentorship) do you currently find most challenging, and how can you practically strengthen your engagement in that area starting this week?”