MENTORS FOR MEN OF GOD

Mentor was the elderly friend and adviser of Odysseus, hero of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. When Odysseus went to fight in the Trojan War, he made Mentor the guardian of his son, Telemachus. From this name, we get our English term for a faithful and wise counselor. Mentoring is the process where the teacher’s life and teaching is poured into the disciple. We recognize it in the relationship of Moses and Joshua, of Elijah and Elisha in our text, of Jesus and the Twelve, and of Paul and Timothy.

Let’s consider first THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (2 Kings 2:1-11).  The Great Commission is about mentoring—reaching people and teaching people.

GOD HAS A SET TIME FOR HIS PEOPLE (v.1,11).  Elijah had a deadline he was going to keep. So do we. Therefore we must redeem the time and make our days count. The greatest thing we can leave behind is a heritage of faith that has been embraced by another generation.

GOD HAS A SUSTAINED TASK IN HIS PURPOSE (v.9).  God’s people come and go, but God’s purpose remains fixed. The mentor cultivates an understanding of the work to be done and develops a desire in the one mentored to continue that work. The bond between mentor and pupil is crucial (v.9-10).

Then, there is THE INTENTION OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (v.12-18).  The intent of the mentoring process is that the work continues undisrupted by the absence of the mentor.

Note THE SEVERING OF THE RELATIONSHIP (v.12).  The tearing of his garments was not only a sign of his dismay, but also a symbol of his dividing asunder from Elijah. The test of a successful mentor is whether the one mentored can stand alone.

Next we have THE SEIZING OF THE RESPONSIBILITY (v.13-15).  Elisha takes up the mantle and ministry of Elijah. An important part of that ministry was mentoring, so he will assume that role also. He will mentor the sons of the prophets. Paul told Timothy to take that which he taught him and commit it to faithful men who could teach others also (2 Tim.2:2).

We’ve seen the importance and intention of the mentoring process, and conclude with THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (v.19-25).  There are profound implications when true mentoring occurs.

One of the unmistakable results is THERE WILL BE MINISTRY(v.19-22).  These people had a problem and turned to the man of God for a solution.  Anyone can spot problems, but good leaders solve problems.

THERE WILL BE AUTHORITY (v.23-25).  Those who mock God will mock us—we can expect it. But heavenly authority rests upon us. God will settle the scores.

Have you matured to the place where you can be a mentor? If not, are you being mentored so you can mature?

There is no success without a successor. God help us to become like Christ and be able to say with Paul, “Follow me in the same way I follow Christ.”