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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
