This week Leslie reflects on the Mentoring Young Women online summit and shares timely encouragement for mentors who are seeking to influence others towards truth. This episode is a breath of fresh air filled with spiritual principles Leslie has gleaned in her 20+ years of ministering to today’s young women. Take courage and heart as she answers your top mentoring questions!
Series: Living a Life That Counts
Part:
Date: April 4, 2019
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
Today we’re answering some of the most common mentoring questions that I receive from those who are in positions of leadership. Whether you lead a small group, are seeking to be an encouragement to a younger girl, or are a pastor’s wife or ministry leader, this will encourage and equip you to do that even more effectively.
Question #1: How do I learn to communicate truth more effectively?
First of all, remember:
- God so often uses the weak things of the world to shame the wise.
- Some of the “least impressive” vessels have been used by God to communicate His most important messages. (Study out the lives of David, Moses, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Don’t forget about those in Christian history as well! i.e. DL Moody and R.A. Torrey.)
- It doesn’t matter how powerful the speaker is but how powerful the truth is.
- Strip away any bells and whistles and speak from the heart. People are hungry for uncompromising truth.
- God will equip you for what He has called you do.
- Your job is to lift high the name of Jesus in whatever ways you can.
- Humbly offer fishes and loaves, and watch Him multiply them.
Tip #1: Blend Truth With Humility
Neither false humility or lecturing your hearers will lead them to the victory and freedom found in Jesus Christ. Learn to humbly share your own story — lessons God has taught you, how you have arrived at certain convictions, etc. — and others will be pointed to Christ as you blend uncompromising truth with humility.
Tip #2: Make Scripture Your Lifeline
Avoid becoming dependent — or leading others you are mentoring to becoming dependent — on others’ words. Take up Scripture and dive into its Truth. Lead young women to know how to study the Word on their own by using helpful websites such as blueletterbible.org. We all need to know how to stand on our own two feet when it comes to engaging with the Word of God.
A great way to prepare yourself for ministry both in season and out of season is to immerse yourself in Truth at every turn. Seek ways to listen to and meditate on Scripture using an audio Bible. This can help prepare you for when you’re asked a question or encounter a challenging situation. Listening to classic Christian biographies also steeps your soul in faith and gives you great examples and illustrations to support truth you may be called upon to share.
Question #2: How do I confront sin in another person’s life?
Firstly, determine whether or not you’re in a position to confront sin in someone else’s life. If you haven’t been given a place of spiritual authority or accountability in someone’s life, then it’s best to take the issue before the Lord rather than confront the individual directly. However, if you do have a place to speak into her life, set the stage with prayer ahead of time. It can soften a girl’s heart and prepare her to hear the truth you want to share with her.
Above all, it is important to communicate with the character and nature of Christ. Speak the truth in love, communicate humbly, appeal to them in love. And, it can be helpful to ask intentional questions that might open the door to talk about areas of weakness or wrong decisions she might be making.
Question #3: How do I deal with discouragement I face as a mentor?
First of all, remember:
- The more powerful of an impact you’re making, the more you can receive discouragement from the enemy.
- In our weakness (when we’re facing discouragement), His strength will be made perfect!
- The enemy can often hit us with discouragement to keep us from moving forward in serving the Lord.
Tips to overcome discouragement:
- Don’t over analyze what you said/didn’t say.
- Realize you’re just a tool in His hands and entrust the results to Him.
- Don’t get ruffled by negative comments.
Question #4: How do I teach those I’m mentoring the principles of prayer and Bible study?
It can be helpful to locate classic Christian books that teach on prayer and go through the book in your times spent together. Also, remember to model prayer for her just as Christ modeled prayer for us! Pray with those you are leading so that they can gain a vision for prayer.
To lead someone in studying the Bible, look on Bible websites that have tools where you can look at the original Hebrew and Greek. Going deeper into studying words and the context of the portion of the Scripture gives you incredible depth and insight into that specific verse. It will aid you in getting a clearer picture of what God is trying to communicate through that verse. Encourage them to turn to Scripture first and lead them to see the importance in memorizing its words. Remember, words of men should be an accent to the foundation of truth in their life.
Question #5: How do I counsel someone who doesn’t seem to respond to truth or change?
- Realize that the enemy will tempt you to give up on this individual. Don’t!
- Be diligent, consistent, and keep investing truth into their lives.
- Pray diligently until you see the break through come.
- Sow seeds of truth in their lives, and let God water and bring the increase.
- Remember that the enemy might be at work trying to block the ears of your hearers. Resist any enemy interference.
FINAL THOUGHTS
God can use you exactly where you’re at and in the season you’re in. Ask Him to show you who to invest in and pray for today. He will be faithful to bring forth amazing fruit in your life!
KEY SCRIPTURES
- John 12:32
- Philippians 3:12
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
If you are looking to grow in your walk with Christ, we encourage you to join us for the upcoming Set Apart Conference, June 7-8th, here in Windsor, CO or anywhere you are via simulcast! Visit our website to learn more about this powerful, life-changing weekend!
