Mentoring

Intro

“What It Takes To Make It”

If I set a goal to be a successful graphic designer, then there are some things that I’m going to have to do to make it there, right?

I probably need to see if there are courses available for that that I can take (maybe get a degree).

There are YouTube channels about graphic design that I can immerse myself in.

I can also make friends with others who are pursuing this and maybe are already ahead of me.

I’m also going to have to put myself out there and start trying it and getting better at it.

So I’ve given you each an envelope. There is an objective that you’re trying to reach as a person in that envelope. Below it, you have to list at least 3 steps you believe you should take on the road to eventually arrive at that objective. Once everyone is done, we’ll see how close you get to what it actually takes in real life!

Begin exercise

Objectives

Barber

NFL Quarterback

Missionary to France

Pastor in Raleigh, NC

Astronaut

Music Director at New Life Rector

Writer

Youth Pastor

Graphic designer

Governor of Arkansas

So, for everything that we set as a goal there has to be steps taken to get to that place. We don’t just snap our fingers. We have to do the right things if we want to end up in the right place!

“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” - My neighbor was learning this proverb the other day as he was attempting to run and jump over an open fire.

Also, “Do the right things, win the right prizes.”

Lesson

Growth Disciplines

So here’s what we’re talking about for the next few weeks: Growth Disciplines.

Can anybody tell me about what a “discipline” is?

discipline - an activity that one engages in regularly to train or improve oneself

Disciplines are not always necessarily fun.

running

lifting weights

studying

practicing

You already practice disciplines every day, in some way.

Ben - taekwondo

If anyone in this room has done homework - boom. You’ve had disciplines going.

Daily life disciplines are small, consistent actions performed regularly—often despite not "feeling like it"—that build habits, strengthen character, and lead to long-term success, health, or personal growth. These "slight edge" habits are easy to do, but just as easy not to do, and (here’s the key) they compound over time to create significant results.

But here’s what we’re digging into the next few weeks: SPIRITUAL disciplines. And they work the same way.

You don’t alway feel like doing these.

But you need to.

They will build you spiritually into being who God has called you to be.

They are fairly easy to do, but just as easy not to do.

And (again, this is so important) they do compound over time to do some amazing things in your life.

So… now that the lid is off and we all know the topic (spiritual disciplines), what are some examples of spiritual disciplines?

prayer

fasting

Bible study

praise

giving

witnessing

serving

fellowship

Some of these are inward disciplines (they don’t involve anyone else but you and God). Others are outward disciplines (they involve others).

For the next three Wednesdays, we’re going to talk about some of these individually. We don’t have the time to talk about every single one of them. But what I have done is this: I have hand-picked some disciplines that you should prioritize for your spiritual growth. That is why we’re saying “growth disciplines.”

Mentoring

Prayer and Bible

Praise and Producing Fruit

I know that we’ve spent significant time talking about the Endtime, right? And it can be very interesting. It also gives you some perspective. Things are wrapping up and we have such an important mission from God.

So, we can’t just only be stirred about all of that. We have to actually do the things we know we need to be doing.

Well, if you will really soak up the next few weeks as we talk about this, you’re going to be moving quickly in the direction of becoming powerful in God. And I hope you want that. You’re called to more than just being here. You guys have enormous potential and I’m already proud of where you’ve come.

It’s time to step into who God wants you to be. Let’s dive in!

Mentoring

For the next few moments, we’re looking at “mentoring.”

Spiritual mentoring has been a part of living for God through the entire history of our world.

It is His will that we each would come alongside someone who is further ahead of us in their walk with God, and LEARN. Become a SPONGE.

2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Proverbs 9:9 NKJV

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 13:20 NKJV

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Paul and Timothy

Elijah and Elisha

Moses and Joshua

What we have to do is take after these people. Where are the opportunities here?

Pastor

Youth Pastor

Parents

Elders

Friends

But it starts with a hunger to go deeper and to be nearer to God.

Exodus 33:11 NKJV

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Conclusion

So here’s what you can do:

Be near these people when they worship, pray, witness, speak, preach, do life. “Some things are taught; some things are caught!”

Make it your business to figure out what it is they’re doing right.

Ask questions. Things can’t be understood if questions aren’t asked.

“Why do you do this when you pray?”

“I felt something in the Spirit I wanted to ask you about.”

“Something happened in service that I need to understand.”

“There’s this Scripture/Subject I need help understanding.”

Allow yourself to be developed. This is not something that you can wait on someone else to do for you. You have to be hungry and all in on your growth.

I believe this group is on track for massive growth! But if you take your growth seriously in these things, it’s going to go above and beyond!