Today is National Mentoring Day, originally established as a month in 2002 by MENTOR National, along with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In 2016, the month became focused on one day, the 17th of January. The day was chosen to honor boxer Muhammed Ali. It was his birthday and, since he was known for mentoring children and adults alike, it was deemed a fitting gift.
The school system uses mentors, although we know them by another name: tutors. Elementary aged children will get help with reading from individuals who love children and want to make a difference in their lives. Others will come to help a student with math, science, history, or English. Hours will be spent gently leading a child to a better understanding of a subject.
Another mentoring program has been available called Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. On their website, it says, “Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.”1 This program has been especially helpful to kids whose parents are incarcerated, serving in the military, or are just absent.
As innovative as it might seem, mentoring programs are nothing new. In fact, God instituted a mentoring program for the church. Titus 2:1-10 says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: (2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (6) Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (9) Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; (10) Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
It would seem like older men and women have a job to do. Verses 9-10 also seem to teach that we are to be doing job mentoring, showing young workers how to be good workers. Sadly, many older Christians take the attitude that they are done, they did their part, they served their time, and now they get to coast into Glory! And, if the truth be told, many younger people have pushed the older away, rejecting their experience and wisdom.
BOTH scenarios are wrong! Dead wrong and detrimental!
We have our Wednesday night programs at church this evening. It’s a good opportunity to see the various age groups in action. Ask yourself, “Who am I mentoring? Who am I influencing? Where am I making a difference?” If you’re coming up with a blank, it’s time to do something about it. Make yourself available. Start with a smile and being friendly.
Be that mentor that someone desperately needs.
