Why Do You Need a Mentor?

by Rick Warren — December 9, 2022
From Building Character

“You have heard me teach . . . Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)

Even superstars need coaches. The top singers in the world have voice coaches, and the top Olympic athletes have coaches. The top CEOs have business coaches. Coaches help you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

This principle of coaching or mentorship is found throughout the Bible. Joshua was mentored by Moses. Elisha was coached by Elijah. Solomon was mentored and coached by David, and David was mentored by Samuel.

The Apostle Paul mentored and coached Timothy and many other people. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:2, “You have heard me teach . . . Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (NLT). Paul mentored Timothy, and then he expected Timothy to go and mentor faithful men who would then mentor and coach other faithful men.

God expects the same of faithful men and women today, because that’s how you grow in discipleship. In fact, you’re benefiting right now from the spiritual coaches that have mentored me over my lifetime, who helped me grow in different areas of my life.

The Bible says that God has given five different kinds of “coaches” for his church. All of those coaches are working toward a specific purpose: “Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:11-13 CEV).

Did you catch the purpose that these different coaches are working towards? They’re working “so his people would learn . . . and . . . grow strong.” If you want to learn, grow, and be strong, then you need a mentor.

A mentor is a spiritually mature friend and accountability partner who gets real with you and points out sin and weakness, while also encouraging your strengths and growth. They help you stay on the path of God’s purpose for you.

If you’re serious about making the most of your life, then you need to get a coach or mentor to help you fulfill your purpose. They don’t have to be perfect. They only have to be one step ahead of you. And, as you grow spiritually, you can be a mentor to someone else!          

Talk It Over

  • Do you find it difficult to think of someone who could be a mentor to you? How can you surround yourself more with people who are at least one step ahead of you in faith?
  • What are some of your fears about having a mentor? What do you think God wants you to do with those fears?
  • Spend one minute in prayer right now. Ask God to help you take the next step in finding a mentor. Then ask him to give you more faith and wisdom so you can be an effective mentor to someone else.

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.