Having a mentor is a popular concept these days. Research shows that young adults are very keen to learn from and interact with those from previous generations. In fact, one statistic revealed that 68% of young adult Christians identified the opportunity to receive advice from people with similar experiences as “very important.”
The concept of mentoring is biblical. Although the word “mentor” itself is not mentioned in Scripture, there are numerous examples of mentoring relationships taking place throughout the Bible:
- Moses mentored Joshua and the elders of Israel.
- Eli mentored Samuel, who mentored Saul and David.
- Elijah mentored Elisha.
- Mordecai mentored Esther.
- Priscilla and Aquila mentored Apollos.
- Jesus mentored the twelve apostles.
- Paul mentored Titus, Timothy, and many others.
- Lois and Eunice mentored young Timothy.
Selling people on the idea that mentoring can be an effective relational tool for personal and professional growth and development is not the issue. It is often more the challenge of knowing how to go about finding (the right) mentor that will result in a meaningful and beneficial relationship.
So how does one find (the right) mentor? Here are three tips to set you on the path towards finding a meaningful mentor relationship:
- Reflect. Take some time to sit with a pen and paper, and together with God, prayerfully reflect on what areas of your life you’d like to strengthen–this could be personal, professional or spiritual. Ask: God, what are my growth edges in this season? And then ask: God, who can help me get there? And write down whoever He may lay upon your heart.
- Reach Out. Once you have identified a few potential mentors whose experiences you can learn from, be bold and reach out. Send them an email telling them something you have observed about their life that you admire and would like to learn from and then make the simple and direct ask: Will you consider becoming my mentor? If they say yes, then you can move on to the final tip.
- Road Map. It is likely the case that the person who has agreed to mentor you has a full life. Therefore, it is important to show from the start that you respect and greatly value the time they will give you. It will help set the relationship on the right course if you make it as easy and clear as possible for them what your expectations are. Letting them know specifically what area in which you are desiring mentoring, how often and where you will meet and who will set the meetings will be much appreciated.
Mentorship should be a mutual blessing, rather than a burden, and these tips will help make that happen. And don’t be discouraged if it takes a few ‘no’s’ until you get a ‘yes.’ Trust God to be in the process and to be leading you to the right person in the right time.