Know These 3 Important Things When Following a Mentor

A mentor helps and guides us in a particular area. With a mentor’s help, we can grow more quickly and with clearer direction.

For example, we might be able to learn to drive a car without a mentor. However, of course, the risk would be scraping or crashing here and there. We would need a longer process before becoming truly skilled. Besides that, the car’s engine would quickly be damaged because it was driven carelessly.

With a mentor beside us, we can learn to drive more quickly, safely, and correctly. If there is something we do not understand, we can ask questions and receive an explanation from the mentor.

Many Bible figures succeeded in life because they followed God’s counsel through the prophets or the teachings of Jesus. They were just like us, with many shortcomings, but through the guidance of a mentor, they were able to do great things and glorify God.

Let us learn from three Bible figures who received guidance in living their lives. Why do we need to have a mentor? What should we do, and what should we avoid doing, when following a mentor?

1. Joshua: The Humility to Keep Learning

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp. But his servant Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent. – Exodus 33:11

When the ten Israelite spies delivered an inaccurate and exaggerated report about Canaan (Numbers 13:25-33), Joshua still believed that the Lord would bring them into the promised land.

"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into that land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey." – Numbers 14:7-8

Joshua’s faithfulness to God did not grow overnight. While serving as his attendant, he learned from Moses’ faith and followed everything Moses did. It is not easy to be a servant, but humility kept Joshua learning from the right person. As a result, later it was Joshua who led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan (Joshua 11:23).

2. King Joash: The Importance of Standing Firm (2 Chronicles 24:27)

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. – 2 Chronicles 24:2

Joash was only seven years old when he became king of Judah. In the years that followed, as a young leader, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He was also able to make various right decisions because he followed the counsel and teaching of Jehoiada the priest.

However, after Jehoiada died, Joash was influenced by evil things and did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.

After Jehoiada died, the leaders of Judah came and bowed down before the king. From then on the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of this guilt, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. – 2 Chronicles 24:17-18

Joash’s story teaches us not to depend on our mentor, no matter how great he may be. Depend fully on God. Have a firm conviction and make it a habit to be discerning in receiving our mentor’s teaching.

Why is that?

When our mentor leaves, or dies, or disappoints us because his actions do not match his words, all the good things he taught can still be carried out consistently by us. Not because we need recognition or approval from the mentor, but because we know that is what pleases God.

3. Simon Peter: Learning Directly from Jesus

So also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men." And after they brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Jesus. – Luke 5:10-11

Peter and his friends were only ordinary people whose lives were changed when they followed Jesus. They listened to His teaching, did what He did, served the crowds, and prayed with Him. From Jesus, they learned how to face many kinds of people and situations while proclaiming the word of God.

When the council saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were ordinary, uneducated men, they were amazed; and they recognized them as followers of Jesus. – Acts 4:13 Because they obeyed all the counsel of Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), it is no wonder that His disciples, including Peter, grew into courageous people. In his learning process, Peter was not free from mistakes and weaknesses. He was at times careless (Matthew 26:36-46), afraid (Matthew 26:69-75), and lacking faith (Matthew 14:22-33). However, Peter experienced rapid growth, from a fearful disciple to becoming an apostle who persevered in proclaiming the gospel, because he kept learning and applying what he learned from Jesus.

A servant learns from his master, a king needs advisers, and a disciple follows the example of his teacher. Whatever our profession may be now, we need a mentor so that we can keep moving forward and develop our abilities. In spiritual matters, seek a guide or brother / sister whom you respect, and learn from them. Follow the example of their heart attitude in following Christ.

We may be great and intelligent in certain things, but let us not become easily satisfied. Remain humble. Be open to receiving counsel from those who guide and direct us. Depend fully on God, and carry out consistently what our mentor teaches us.

May the Lord bless your learning process.