The Genesis of Christian Mentoring

Mentoring, coaching and spiritual direction in a Christian context are all terms used to describe various facets of discipleship, whether it is personal, in small groups or one-on-one. Discipleship, which refers to learning from or being a follower/disciple of Jesus, is one way people grow spiritually in their faith.

With discipleship as an integrative element of Christian mentoring, spiritual growth can deepen leadership and vocational skills. It can inspire people to develop skills and concentrate on specific vocational and spiritual areas. In all contexts, discipleship remains firmly Christ-centered.

Sharon Dolaz Parks, known for her work on faith development theory, suggests a classical definition of Christian mentoring, which she defines as “an intentional, mutually demanding, and meaningful relationship between two individuals.”¹ She further develops the notion of discipleship within communities surrounding institutes of higher educational faith as a practice that involves “a young adult and an older, wiser figure who assists the younger person in learning the ways of life.”¹

Christian mentorship occurs irrespective of age, economic status, race, background or affinity group, although online modalities make it easier for mentorship to happen more frequently and with less travel. Whether peer-to-peer mentoring, reverse mentoring, formal or informal, Christian mentorship can develop in any location or context. It transpires inside the confines of the home, among colleagues in the workplace and within the university classroom and community.

Instead of focusing on the where, when, why or how, mentorship in the Bible focuses on the who. It follows Christ’s lead in a particular relationship with a purpose and relies on God’s Spirit within the intentional mentor–mentee relationship to guide development and faith growth. This is best exemplified throughout God’s redemptive story in the Bible.

When considering Christian mentoring in the Bible, Jesus and his disciples come to mind. Interestingly, the type of mentoring Jesus modeled with his disciples emerged before the Gospels were written. Traced back to Genesis, biblical mentorship emanates from God, the creator of heaven and earth. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, was with God in the beginning (John 1:1). This means Jesus actively engaged creation in the beginning when God created humanity. Through the biblical connection between John 1 and Genesis 1, we are given a glimpse of how God initiated and entered into a long-term mentoring relationship with humanity.

Biblical mentorship traces its roots back to the very first pages and words of the Bible: “In the beginning, God created…” (Gen. 1:1). Christian mentorship commences with God, reveals itself through the Godhead and emanates from God’s nature. Within the first act of creation, God initiated a one-on-one relationship with humanity. In other words, when God created humanity, he not only initiated a mentoring relationship with Adam and Eve, but also created humanity with an innate desire to cultivate that type of relationship.

If you are curious about discovering examples of mentoring in the Bible, the best place to start is in Genesis. Let’s take a look at it in light of the biblical narrative of Genesis 1 and 2 to find five principles from the biblical truths in Genesis about how God modeled mentorship.

Biblical Truth #1

Under God’s mentorship, Adam and Eve were created for community within community (Gen. 1:27; 2:18; Jn. 1:1-5).

When God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over…” He first created them to be like him (Gen. 1:26-28). Genesis 1, together with John 1:1-5, indicates that all three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) had active involvement in creation. This communal understanding of God conveys an in-depth perspective of what it means to be his image-bearer.

God innately designed a desire for healthy, loving, flourishing interdependent relationships within humanity’s DNA. Often referred to as the “imago Dei,” we also see this in the creation of Eve. God uniquely proclaimed it was “not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God modeled interrelationship within himself through Trinity and created humanity to walk this out with one another.

Biblical Truth #2

Under God’s mentorship, Adam and Eve received their purpose: “...So that they may rule over…” (Gen. 1:26). God imparted a sacred purpose to humanity, which would have dominion over all of his creation, which was no small task. He set them apart from all the other creations, presenting them with an opportunity to develop their leadership gifts by learning from him. In Genesis 1:28, he gives the “cultural mandate or creation mandate” to “be fruitful and multiply.” He presents them with direction and purpose so they will flourish. God never initiated this relationship haphazardly, but always with intention and purpose.

Biblical Truth #3

Under God’s mentorship, Adam and Eve received a covenantal blessing and a mission: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it,” (Genesis 1:28). Biblically, blessings were bestowed upon others in covenantal relationships. God’s covenantal love meant that he was committed to this relationship and to seeing this assignment through to fruition. God’s blessing was far-reaching and impactful. God then took Adam and gave him work to do in the Garden of Eden. He assigned Adam [and Eve] to steward the Garden and take care of it. He gave them specific instructions for a mission to follow. In the following verses, he came alongside Adam to help him understand the work and complete the task.

Biblical Truth #4

God initiated the mentoring relationship by creating humanity in his image (Gen. 1:26-27). Within the act of creation for humanity, God initiates a special relationship. Genesis 1:26-27 emphasizes that humanity was created in God’s image on four different occasions, which highlights the significance of such a relationship that only God can inaugurate.

Biblical Truth #5

God’s mentorship never faltered, even when Adam and Eve did. God never left them and walked with them through the depths of their sin with the hopes of restoration (Gen. 3:8-9; 3:21).

When we consider the fall of humanity, and what happened with Adam and Eve, God is often viewed as angry instead of heartbroken. Genesis 3:8-9 and Genesis 3:21 reveal God’s commitment to Adam and Eve despite their grave choice to sin against God and eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 3:8-9 shares that God called out to them and sought after them as he was walking in the garden. This portrayal of God suggests that he was actively seeking them. God already knew what had happened and knew where they were; he was looking for their response.

Genesis 3:21 again shares that God covered their shame and sought out their good. Although they were banned from the garden, he never left them. He continued to reveal himself to them. Throughout the rest of God’s story, his love and faithfulness are unending. Jesus himself engendered this commitment by saying, “Surely I will be with you, even to the end of the age,” (Matthew 29:20).

What can we learn from the Genesis account? How can we apply these truths and principles to our own lives? From the beginning of God’s story to today, mentorship has been a biblical concept. It can be summed up in Corinthians 1:11, as the Apostle Paul says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Ephesians 1:1-2 also says, “Be imitators of Christ as dear Children…” Of the many powerful applications enabled by understanding these biblical truths, the following are but a few examples of how to apply them in Christian mentoring.

• Biblical Principle and Application #1: Christian mentoring is meant to be walked out in community and within community, although it occurs most effectively within community.
• Biblical Principle and Application #2: Christian mentoring shares a sacred purpose in the confines of the mentoring relationship. It is a purposeful relationship. It can be for a short or long period of time depending on both mentors and mentees.
• Biblical Principle and Application #3: Christian mentors bless their mentees by coming alongside them with assignments that promote healthy growth. Healthy mentorship blesses others and works toward a specific assignment.
• Biblical Principle and Application #4: Christian leaders benefit from initiated mentoring relationships. Establishing intentional relationships with mentees nurtures healthy inter-generational leadership.
• Biblical Principle and Application #5: Christian mentors engender faithfulness long-term. The mentoring relationship is a work in progress and should be prepared for both valley and mountaintop experiences.

One way to become an effective Christian mentor is by becoming part of the GCU community! GCU provides many opportunities to learn, grow spiritually and receive mentorship from welcoming faculty in a biblically principled, Christ-centered community.

GCU’s College of Theology offers a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies where you can take the next step to enroll in a program with faculty whose experience, scholarship and expertise enriches students.