Special Studies Past. Lead. Lecture 4
Special Studies in Pastoral Leadership • Sermon • Submitted
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A leader who develops people,adds. A leader who develops leaders, multiplies - John Maxwell
The first few pages of chapter 4 gave several examples of people that obviously need mentors, whether they know it or not
What is Mentoring?
What is Mentoring?
Have students give their ideas on what a mentor is
Is there a difference between a mentor and a coach?
Shepherds feed, protect, and care for sheep; mentors pull up alongside human beings and model behavior, values,and faith through the shared life. — Anderson
The term “Mentor” originates in Greek Mythology. When Odysseus left for Troy, he left his house and his son’s education in the care of a character by the name of “Mentor”
The term “Mentor” is generally understood to mean “advisor” or “wise man”
In our culture, a mentor is often understand to be a special kind of role model: one that is a personal, hands on, role model
It is very common for people in various profession to look to older people in the same profession as mentors
Over time, they even begin to take on some of the characteristics and practices of their mentor
Mentoring in Scripture
Mentoring in Scripture
In Biblical culture…a mentor would be known as:
Teacher
Master
Rabbi
Anderson asserts that human nature is designed by God with an innate need for mentors: it begins during our early childhood and continues on through the various seasons on life.
Anderson asserts that human nature is designed by God with an innate need for mentors
Jesus is our role model for mentoring - His is the servant style of leadership and, therefore, mentoring
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Paul : important role model for mentoring
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Cor
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
2 Thes
Mentors develop mentors
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.
Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The Apostle Paul taught and demonstrated Godly leadership/mentoring
Taught and demonstrated Godly leadership/mentoring
He instructed his men-tees to do the same
Timothy, Titus, and probably dozens of others over his years of ministry
All of us should expect to mentor others at different points in our lives…but there is definitely an acknowledgment of the importance of spiritual leaders in the church
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
Elder: presbuteros — “The older one”
Implies age and experience — not only older in years, but older (and more mature) in the faith
Someone that has already been where their men-tee is heading
Since they have been there and survived…they can do more than just show us the way, their stories give us hope to go forward into the “unknown”
Fly on the wall exercise - part 1
Read Paul’s farewell address to the Elders of the Ephesian churches (Acts 20:17-38)
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
What came to mind as you listened to Paul pour out his heart?
Fly on the wall exercise: part 2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:1-
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
1 Timothy 6:3-
Connect the dots
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:26-
BREAKOUT:
As a group, skim through 1 Timothy and find as many examples of Paul mentoring Timothy as you can
Each one in the group will share a segment/passage that really stood out to them
What do we learn about spiritual mentoring from Paul in these examples?
Mentoring in Today’s Church
Mentoring in Today’s Church
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Since leading by example and spiritual mentoring are so vital it is essential that we intentionally forge clear paths in which it can take place now, and into the future
How can we make sure this happens?
Keep a soft/humble heart before the Lord
Even when you are not feeling it…keep pressing into His presence through His word, worship, solitude, simplicity, and an honest perception of youself
Reproduce ourselves
Some of this happens organically: within our immediate family, as we lead and do ministry (people are watching…being influenced)
Much of this happens through developing and implementing various systems and methods that will enable you to intentionally and systematically develop spiritual leaders and therefore spiritual mentors
All of this happens when the mentor truly loves and cares for those they minister to
The book gives several examples of positive modern day mentors
All of them were people with very full lives and yet, their heart was to love, encourage and develop people (saved, unsaved, old, young, wounded, confused, hungry for the Lord, etc.)
One of the key things about these kind of people is really important
The way they mentored others created a desire in some of them to become the same kind of mentor to others
Domino effect
No matter where we are on the journey, we are likely to follow the path of other people who have been following Jesus ahead of us — Anderson
The modern-day church shouts the need for godly men and women to serve as spiritual mentors - Anderson
If we don’t provide the flock with positive mentors, many sheep will flock to negative mentors by default - Anderson
What kind of mentor should you be?
What kind of mentor should you be?
A winsome mentor “wins” more than “some”
This type of mentor naturally influences others to want to be like them
Define winsome — attractive or appealing in appearance or character
Synonyms: appealing, engaging, charming, winning, attractive, sweet, endearing, lovable, captivating, etc.
Describe one person you know that is like that — even if they are not your mentor
Charles Hefton
Doyle Fulkes
Isreal Concepcion
Isaac Tellez
Dean Hackett
A strong mentor: shows you how to live
Hands-on
On the job training
Like teaching children the motions to a song by doing the motions, rather than explaining them
Today’s church families desperately need strong mentors
single parents that are overwhelmed
broken people in broken and chaotic families
We need strong leaders to show us how to handle alcohol, money, sex, stress, temptation, and burnout - Anderson
Let’’s add a few more categories to keep up with our fast-paced world
Have them list other categories as a class
Epidemic opioid addiction - destroys families every day
The “disconnect” caused by social media
The gradual disappearance of Biblically based values
Time investment: 2-3 hours a week; impact: eternal — Anderson
Strong mentors show you, through sometimes painful trial and error; how to deal with criticism, how to know when to be quiet and observant instead of plowing ahead, etc.
Faithful mentors inspire HOPE
Faithful mentors inspire HOPE
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
We look up from our pity party and there, way out ahead of the congregation, we see a gray head bobbing, as a mentor strides calmly on ahead of the pack — Anderson
Faithful mentors do not become weary in well-doing
Their bodies and minds might get tired…but their hearts never give up on people
This kind of mentors walks with people through all kinds of pain and struggles — many times — while maintaining the same listening ear and compassionate heart. In fact, this kind of mentor grows more loving and compassionate the more they experience
This kind of mentor is often used and abused, mistreated and/or taken for granted, underappreciated
In all of this they do not become bitter or hateful — because they know who they serve and they know He hasn’t given up so why would they?
We are human mentors, not the Savior
People will, given enough time, find the chinks and flaws in our armor.
This is good…because we are only fellow travelers following our supreme guide - Jesus
SECTION TWO OF LECTURE 4: MISC
What is a triad and how can it help us to be better spiritual leaders?
Definition of a Triad
A group of three or four individuals, who covenant to meet
weekly, build intentional relationships with one another, and
challenge one another to become more passionate, fully-
devoted followers of Jesus Christ — Greg Ogden
Discuss
What are Greg Ogden’s 3 characteristics of a leader?
1. Holy
Jesus is our example - therefore our leadership should reflect Him
Jesus is holy — it is only through Him that we can live holy lives and set an example for others
It is obviously essential that we “remain” in Jesus in order to reflect Him to others
The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is the recognizable reflection of Jesus
2. Habitual
True leaders are in love with Jesus and, therefore, regularly cultivate that relationship through consistent time with Him and in His Word
3. Humble