Fought well you have, my old Padawan

Definition of Mentoring:
Passing on to others what God has given to you.

- Ted Engstrom

First, don't mind the STAR WARS reference. If you get it, good for you... if not, well... we'll all have to go watch the STAR WARS movies for class sometime.

Anyways, on to sunday school business.


MENTORING
We are beginning to look at the issue of mentoring. It is interesting that many businesses have begun to have mentoring programs as they see the importance of this type of training. Yet, the church (which prides itself on being more relational, relevant, and life-changing) has relatively very few people in mentorship type of relationships.

We hope to change this at TCBC.

Jasmine and I hope to start off slow, we want to ask ourselves a few questions.

• Do you feel you NEED a mentor?


• What TYPE of mentor do you feel would be most effective with you?

CHALLENGE
We're hopeful that everyone in the class will be able to find a mentor by the month of January.


DIFFERENT TYPES OF MENTORING
In class, we looked at 9 types of mentoring (adapted from Stanley and Clinton). They were categorized by three different modes due to their differing natures of relationship.

1. Intensive - highly deliberate, with more depth and awareness of effort, usually quite structured, often longer-term.
2. Occasional - focused interaction for a short duration, with specific goals; supplementary to more intensive models.
3. Passive - often less deliberate, often unstructured or intermittent.

Here are the 9 types:

Discipler (intensive)
Spiritual guide/director (intensive)
Coach (intensive)
Teacher (occasional)
Counselor (occasional)
Sponsor (occasional)
Contemporary model (passive)
Historical model (passive)
Divine contact (passive)


BARNABAS AS MENTOR
We also did a short devotional on Barnabas as a mentor. Here are a few bible references that you can look up and see how God has used him to influence others.

A. Barnabas' family background (Acts 4:36) - key preparation for his ministry

B. Barnabas as example in Jerusalem (Acts 4:37) - spiritual qualities that point toward future fruitfulness in ministry and mentorship

C. Barnabas as "divine contact" for Saul with Jerusalem church (Acts 9:19b-30)

D. Barnabas as trusted advisor linking Jerusalem church and Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)

E. Affirmation of Barnabas' character (Acts 11:24)

F. Barnabas coaches Paul through co-ministry in Antioch (Acts 11:25-30)

G. Barnabas and Paul - "authority switch" for 1st missionary journey (Acts 12:25)

H. Barnabas' key advisory role in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1)

I. Barnabas splits with Paul, mentors John Mark in Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41)

J. Conclusion - types of mentoring clearly demonstrated by Barnabas

1. Barnabas as "contemporary model" - exemplary life, worship, fasting
2. Barnabas as "divine contact" - strategic intervention in Saul's life
3. Barnabas as "sponsor" - introduces Saul to Jerusalem and Antioch ministries
4. Barnabas as "teacher" - preaching and encouraging ministry, esp. in Antioch
5. Barnabas as "coach" - year-long modelling and co-ministry with Saul
6. Barnabas as "counsellor" - trusted advisor for both Antioch and Jerusalem leaders, role at Jerusalem Council

**on this basis, Barnabas becomes a "historical model" for us.**