I’m delighted to introduce you today to my dear friend, Kayla J. Nelson, as she guest posts for me here on the blog. I know her well, and I can tell you that every word she offers to you here today is true - her heart for mentorship and discipleship is so evident to all who know her. I pray that her words serve as just as much of an encouragement, inspiration, and grace-filled kick in the pants to you as they have been to me!
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It’s like mentoring and discipleship have been hardwired into my DNA…for as long as I can remember, it has been a passion of mine to see the younger ones grow up, to help build them up as people and as believers.
The passion has never been more purposeful until recently, though.
During my time working with our local youth group as a small group leader, God put it on my heart to offer the girls each a different “date” to connect more personally. I had several accept the invitation, but since that day, the growth and depth that I have seen come from those girls in their faith is incredible.
None of this, however, is my doing. I just responded to the call, and God has moved.
Over the last several months though, the passion for discipleship and mentorship has become so heavy on my heart. I long to see others be built up and step into these roles as well.
We are, after all, all called to build disciples and to be mentors.
The Call to Discipleship and Mentorship
Let’s take a look at the call from Scripture:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” ~Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus Himself said the words, “make disciples of all nations.”
And Paul reiterates this call:
“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. o them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” ~Colossians 1:24-29
Defining a “Disciple”
What IS a disciple? And how does discipleship compare to mentorship? Aren’t they the same?
The short answer is no, they are not the same.
A disciple is someone who knows and follows, someone who is learning. As a discipler or disciple-maker, you are teaching, instructing, and providing tools that the disciple can use in everyday life.
Mentorship is a less direct role. It is a role in which you come alongside and do life together. You can challenge each other, and encourage each other, and give a real-life example of using the tools received during times of discipleship.
We will never outgrow the role of disciple when it comes to following Jesus. We will forever be learning from Him and following Him. However, we CAN outgrow the role of disciple in regards to another person as we grow in wisdom. There comes a time when we are able pass on to the next generation of believers what has been taught to us.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Both mentorship and discipleship should be done in an “older to younger” set up, but doesn’t always have to be.
If we take a look at Scripture for examples, we find this:
Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. ~1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
One of my most favorite examples of mentorship from the Bible comes from Ruth chapters 1-4. I’m sure you know who I am talking about…Naomi mentored Ruth in her faith. She allowed her in, invited her, and Ruth longed for it.
No matter how long you have been a believer, you are called and commanded to be in discipleship and mentorship in one way or another. Maybe you are new to the faith - then you should be diving into the role of disciple, learning what you need to in order to follow Jesus to the best that He created you to be.
If you have been walking the road of faith for quite a while, you definitely need to be actively passing that faith and faithfulness on to the next generation as a disciple-maker or mentor.
Answering Common Objections
Maybe you feel like you’re too busy to be involved in discipleship and mentorship. I’m going to be blunt: if that is the case, then you need to open your schedule. As a believer, Jesus has said, “Go and make disciples.” That doesn’t mean you can just obey when it is convenient for you. That doesn’t mean, when you “find” the time for it. It means right now. Today.
If you are a mama at home with your kiddos, THAT is your discipleship ground. THEY are the next generation of believers, and you need to be actively teaching them the tools they need to have a faith that survives outside of your four walls.
But I’m not going to lie, you CAN do more. Maybe you have only one hour a day - why not give it to invest that hour into someone at church? A girl from the youth group maybe, or someone that you know who is new to church. Invite them to come over to your house for coffee or a snack (or meet over Zoom, as may have to be the case right now!).
You can do so much without ever even leaving your home.
Here are some real-life and workable ideas that are things that my husband and I have done in our own ministry:
- Offer a coffee date with someone (you could go out, or invite them to your home)
- Get involved in the youth group, Sunday school, or children’s church at your church
- Get involved (or even just show up!) to women’s ministry
- Open your home for dinner/movie nights/games
- Help out at youth events at your church (I bet your youth pastor could help you find childcare!)
- Begin a study (you don’t even have to teach, look into RightNowMedia.com and use their tools instead!)
These are things that have all worked for my husband and me. Yes, even with a tiny baby. In fact, our youngest came to a youth retreat when he was still nursing. The kids loved it, and it gave me the opportunity to still help out. Our kids often join me and my husband in our youth events, they hang out, they learn from the older kids, and they watch them. It gives them the opportunity to become disciples of the bigger kids.
The relationships that have grown from my time in youth ministry, discipleship, and mentorship are invaluable. Seeing the growth in these kids has opened my heart in a whole new way.
You can have that too. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and into the call to make disciples. You won’t regret it. Find creative ways to do it, sure, but pray about it. Pray that God would show you where you can fit it in, who you can disciple or mentor, and how you can go about doing so.
I believe in you, Sister. Thank you for standing for the faith.
Kayla has been married to her husband, Andrew, for nearly a decade and together they have four boys ages eight, six, four, and two. Kayla homeschools their oldest two boys, does freelance design work as her stay-at-home job, and runs Joyful and Free Paperie, a ministry designed to encourage, grow, and inspire young women in their faith. She loves camping, graphic design, and game nights with friends, and her heart is for sharing her story and encouraging others. You can connect with Kayla via her website, Instagram, or Facebook.
