Two Things Keeping You From Mentoring
September is a great month to start a mentoring group. Vacations are done. People are getting back into the school routine. And you can be ready to mentor some ‘younger ones’ if you’ll start prepping now.
Two things keep guys from mentoring.
The first one is fear.
“I’m afraid I’m not ready…I’m already so busy, I don’t know where I’d find the time…I have no idea what I’d say or what I’d do for 8 or 9 meetings.”
Look, people do what they want to do. And if God is ‘poking’ you right now, why not go ahead and take the next step? You can move your mouse a couple of inches and sign up (for free!) as a Radical Mentor. Every single question you can come up with is answered on this website or in our collective brains. There’s never going to be a right time to get started doing something you’re afraid of failing at. Set aside your fear and just do it. Sign up. That’s step one (or you can read more about us here).
The second problem is finding a following. We just watched the ‘Final Four’. Why not focus on finding your ‘First Four’ . . . your ‘first four’ mentees. That’s all you need to get a group started.
You’ve got almost two seasons . . . about 5 months to find a following. There are younger men in your church, business, neighborhood, club, social organization or the non-profit you’re involved with. They sell services to you, they’re friends of your adult children, they sit near you in church. It’s up to you to reach out to them . . . to buy them a cup of coffee without an agenda. To get to know them by telling them a little about yourself and learning a little about them. To share your heart for doing your bit to help next-generation leaders. To confess your fears but also confess your desire to make a difference and share what you’ve learned . . . what God has done in your life.
Your best mentees will be at least two seasons of life behind you. If you’re an empty-nester, two seasons back would be married guys with kids. If you’re married with small kids, two seasons back would be singles or engaged people. Get it?
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear (or timidity), but of love, power and a sound mind” says 2 Timothy 1:7. Over and over, Jesus told us “Do not be afraid” and “Fear not.” So don’t!
Finding a following takes intentionality. But it’s not rocket science! Put yourself out there with younger guys, one or two at a time. Let them get to know you . . . and get to know them. You can find these guys, but you’ll have to try. Jesus said “Go and make disciples.” So get started while you have plenty of time.
Question: Will you step out of the stands and get in the game for Jesus? Will you become a Radical Mentor this September? Tell us why or why not here.
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Responses (1)
If you’re a member of a decent sized church, you’ve got all the would-be mentees you’ll ever need just waiting for you to get the word out. When I began five years ago, I networked my way into the young married guy cohort and began having “information” sessions after church. We probably had about 45 guys attend one or more of about five sessions, and 20 of them signed up (I had also recruited a few other mentors). Since then we haven’t had to do any information sessions because new guys are hearing about it from the “graduates” and their wives hear about it from the graduate wives. Including this year we’ve mentored 77 young men. Lives have been changed — mine included. Commit to a start date, and the group will materialize. If you are reading this blog you have some interest in the subject, and you will NOT regret doing this.