Christian Mentoring Program
It is our firm conviction that God commands us to disciple-making, and Christian mentoring is one powerful means of growing disciples of Christ in the military. We believe there are biblical reasons for recommending mentorship as an essential part of leadership development and offer this call to action to you—be a Christian mentor and seek a Christian mentor.
Background of OCF’s Focus on Mentorship
How does this fit OCF’s ministry model?
It is explicit in our Mission and Vision that our ministry must invest in the spiritual and professional development of US military leaders so that their Christ-like character produces godly performance and behaviors in their roles as military leaders, spouses, and parents.
What’s the strategic intent?
To embolden, equip, encourage, and engage OCF members toward holistic growth, who are effective in living out their Christian faith as servant-leaders with transformational effect in the military society. The strategic end-state of this approach is that Christian military leaders unapologetically produce other Christ-centered men and women who continually mature in their Christian faith, character, and lifestyle.
What’s the goal?
To develop junior, mid-grade, and senior leaders in spiritual maturity, professional leadership, and fruitful service to the Body of Christ and the nation. Our venues include staff-led ministries, locally-led ministries, and non-OCF settings.
What’s the methodology?
The three dimensions of our approach to spiritual leadership development are instructional, self-development, and experiential. We provide curricula and trained staff and instructors to deliver the instructional material. We also provide and recommend quality materials for self-development, and events at the retreat centers and the local OCF communities offer opportunities for experiential learning. Mentoring is a part of self-development and experiential development.
9 examples of Mentorship in the Scriptures
Is there biblical direction and guidance for mentoring? We suggest that the following 9 relationships are evidence that mentoring occurred in the biblical eras.
Jethro and Moses
(Exodus 18)
This story indicates that Moses and Jethro had a warm relationship and that Moses must have honored and trusted his father-in-law, and it illustrates our contemporary concept of a trust-based, candid mentoring relationship.
Moses and Joshua
(Deuteronomy 31:1-8; 34:9)
The Scriptures do not give us much information about the relationship between Moses and Joshua. How Moses mentored Joshua, we do not know; we do know that the impact was a strong leader who was a man in whom [was] the Spirit (Numbers 27:18).
Samuel and David
(1 Samuel 16:1-13)
Again, we see that when the mentor is “listening” to the Holy Spirit, He will guide the mentor to the right mentees, even unlikely mentees.
Elijah and Elisha
(1 Kings 19:16-21; 2 Kings 2:1-16; 3:11)
Again, we learn how specific God can be when “appointing” a mentoring relationship. Elijah, who saw in Elisha someone who could continue his ministry, discipled him and eventually “passed his baton” on to him.
Naomi and Ruth
(Ruth)
A unique story that emphasizes the mutual benefit of a mentor/mentee relationship.
Barnabas and Paul
(Acts 4:36; 9:26-31; 11:23-30; 13:1-4; 13:13)
Barnabas was a godly, joyful person with the gift of encouragement. His relationship with Paul shows how a mentor can study and minister with a mentee until that mentee becomes the ministry leader.
Paul and Timothy
(Acts 16:1-5; Philippians 2:19-24; 1 & 2 Timothy)
Paul literally had Timothy in physical presence alongside him for several years. The relationship continued after they were apart.
Priscilla and Aquila with Apollos
(Acts 18:24-28)
This is a marvelous example of how a husband and wife might mentor together and how a mentor can help a competent man or woman reach the next level of excellence. It also illustrates how a mentor introduces the mentee to a support network.
Eunice, Lois, and Timothy
(Acts 16:1-3; 2 Tim 1:5-7; 3:14-15; 4:5)
These relationships illustrate the importance of a) parental mentoring in shaping the godly character and b) receptivity of the Holy Spirit’s leading in the mentorship of another.
What are the implications of biblical mentoring?
The examples in the previous section are biblical calls to and guidance for mentoring relationships. The implications include:
- Christian mentors remain wise and knowledgeable by pursuing righteousness, by continuously learning, and by working with other wise men and women.
- Men and women need experienced and knowledgeable mentors to gain insight, and a mentee must pursue a godly mentor to grow wise.
- Godly men and women hold each other accountable and encourage the best from each other.
Mentees need mentors who love Jesus, grow in Jesus, and share Jesus. - We must worship with godly people to find godly mentors.
- Mentors and mentees must apply what the Holy Spirit is teaching them in Christian mentoring relationships.
- Mentors must be worthy of emulation because their lives glorify the Lord. Mentees will produce godly results when they emulate godly mentors. Mentees must become replicating mentors.
- Mentoring relationships will inspire close friendships.
- The ultimate purpose of Christian mentorship is spiritual maturity and glorifying God.
Mentoring Guides
We pray that you find these 4 guides inspiring—that you take the initiative to be a mentor or to pursue a mentor. We believe that God calls us to mentorship, either as a mentor, mentee, or both.
The Call To Action guide provides foundational information about and the scriptural basis for Christian mentorship. The three companion guides provide the “how-to” ideas and techniques for 1) area coordinators and program directors to establish and sustain local mentorship networks, 2) mentors to be supportive and godly as they mentor, and 3) mentees to find and respond to mentorship from another Christian leader.
We pray that you will use these techniques and mentoring ideas to sustain a trusting mentor-mentee relationship that is guided by the Holy Spirit. Finally, we pray that the Lord richly blesses all who choose a mentoring relationship as part of their personal and professional development.
Do you have questions about Being a Christian Mentor or Seeking a Christian Mentor?
If you have further questions about any of the content on this page or just a question about mentoring in general, fill out the short form to contact us, and we’ll have someone get in touch with you to help you with your questions.