AVIZANDUM: Mentoring/Discipleship

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum Having a mentor or being a mentor is very much in fashion today. It's used extensively in Christian circles, although there may be some confusion about its meaning. I always thought that a true mentor was an individual who came alongside someone.

with a particular focus on giving them practical help and counsel. A mentor who helps the theory to be put into practice. Ideally, that mentor provides a flesh and blood example. I never thought of a mentor as someone who met with someone occasionally for a cup of coffee and talk generally about life. That's probably more of a life coach than a mentor.

When I completed my legal studies, I thought I knew a lot of law, and in a sense, I did. But I had to learn to practice law in real life situations.

So I worked with lawyers who had years of experience and could help me implement legal theory in real-life situations. I watched them as they interacted with clients. as they dealt with difficult legal issues. as they conducted cases in court. We didn't use the term mentor in those days, but they were providing great help.

When I couldn't handle a particular situation or was handling it badly, an experienced lawyer, a mentor, would come alongside me to help and teach me as necessary. In the providence of God I had very capable mentors when I was in private practice as a lawyer. And also when there's a criminal prosecutor. These relationships were not just occasional or remote, but were constant. In this way, the mentor was imparting not just knowledge or even practical expertise.

But wisdom. When we come to the New Testament, our Lord Jesus gives the great commission at the end of Matthew 28. He commands us to go and make disciples of all the nations. The command to make disciples was given to disciples. The eleven disciples had been with Jesus for at least three years.

They'd had them speak. observe the miracles. stood by as he rebuked the Pharisees and scribes. But not only had they observed the Lord Jesus, He had sent them out two by two to preach the kingdom of God. Then they came back and reported to Jesus all they had done.

They were with him. They were sent out by him. and they were accountable to him.

Now this glorious message of the gospel Which was entrusted to the disciples was to embrace the whole world. Making disciples is presenting the gospel. Is helping the individual grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is to provide an example of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. It is to equip them.

to be able To serve Jesus. Authentic discipleship is intentional. and requires commitment both by the mentor and the mentee. If someone asks me to disciple them, I want to know if they're serious. are they prepared to read the Scriptures I assign to them?

Memorize scripture. Put into practice what they're learning in their personal lives, in their home, at work, in the church. Are they willing? To disciple others. At Calvary, our mission is to be and make authentic followers of Jesus Christ.

Our mission is not just to reach people. or even to see them come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Our goal is to bring them to spiritual maturity. Much of this I plan I believe comes through preaching and teaching. But it also comes through the disciple personally studying the Word of God.

and not only observing others serving the Lord, but actually serving the Lord themselves. and then obtaining feedback From others.

So I don't want to discourage mentoring. I want to challenge those who consider themselves mentors. to think more of the biblical term discipleship. rather than a more general term of mentoring. If someone just wants to meet occasionally with someone to chat about life, including their spiritual life, there's nothing wrong with that.

In fact, I would encourage it. But biblical discipleship is more. I've observed that much of so-called mentoring Totally ignores the local Church of Jesus Christ. The church of the living God, the pillar. And the ground of the truth is central to true spiritual growth.

Don't neglect the church.

Now, whatever you call mentoring or disciple. Let's all make sure we keep pointing people to Jesus Christ. To his word, to his church. and also provide models. of what it is to be an authentic follower of Jesus.

Abyssando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com slash the verdict.