Mentor Young People

“At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.” Proverbs 7:6-7

Most young people yearn for someone to invest in them time and wisdom. They know deep in their heart they need help to handle heartaches. Their naïve knowledge has yet to graduate them from the ‘school of hard knocks’, so they need loving and wise instruction. Who in your circle of influence is a candidate for your caring attention?

It may be a son or daughter, a colleague at work or a friend from church? God places people in our lives for a purpose. Perhaps you prayerfully pursue a mentor relationship with a teachable young person. They can learn from your mistakes as much or more, as from you wise choices.

Mentors are not perfect, just wiser from failures and humbled by successes. Look around you and ask the Lord to lead you to a young person who may be edging in the wrong direction. Reach out, and you will have returned the favor to someone who mentored you.

Indeed mentors take time for others because they are eternally grateful for those who took time for them. Gratitude to God is a great reason to go the extra mile with someone younger. Read books together, maybe a book a month for a year. Meet over coffee to discuss how the book challenged your thinking and changed your behavior for the better.

A young leader can preclude problems when he or she is able to model the wise habits of their mentor. Also, be open to inviting an older adult into your life who can educate you in the ways of God. Moreover, the mentoring process is valuable to both parties. It provides accountability, encouragement, love, and obedience to Christ’s commands. Mentor young people so that they follow the right path, and in turn, help someone else do the same.

The Bible says, “. . . encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children . . . likewise, urge the young men to be sensible . . .” (Titus 2:4,6).

Question: What young person in your life is the Lord leading you to invest time, wisdom and resources?

Related Readings: Job 32:6; Psalm 119:9; Matthew 28:20; Titus 2:1-8