Are You a Spiritual Mentor?

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Are You a Spiritual Mentor?

Is there a particular woman you look up to? Perhaps a woman in your church whose devotion to the Lord encourages you, a mom in your community whose parenting style inspires you, or a friend whose love for serving motivates you to step out and serve as well?

It’s most likely you know a woman whom you’ve admired due to her integrity and character. A woman who is salt and light. Someone who is not perfect, but a woman who is comfortable with who she is and whose she is – a woman who allows her light to shine as she reflects God’s love in all that she does.

You may even be that woman in someone else’s eyes! Even if you feel you have nothing to offer, there’s someone out there who sees you as an inspiration and has thought, “I wish I could be more like her.”

“Charm can be deceptive and physical beauty will not last, but a woman who reveres the Eternal should be praised above all others. Celebrate all she has achieved. Let all her accomplishments publicly praise her.” Proverbs 31:30-31 (VOICE)

Spiritual Mentors Teach What is Good

A spiritual mentor is invested in your spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional growth. As shared in Titus 2:3-5, spiritual mentors encourage women to train up the next generation for discipleship.

The Holman Study Bible for Women shares that “one of the greatest ministries that God has given to women in the church is the opportunity to invest in the lives of other women.” Titus 2 serves as a guide for spiritual mothering. The concept of spiritual mothering refers to the investment that spiritually mature women make in the lives of younger women.

Spiritual Mothering is one of my favorite mentoring terms. I define spiritual mothering as God’s way of using the experiences and wisdom of senior women to encourage and equip younger women in their faith walk.

It’s no secret that the many women who have joined me in my journey have served as my spiritual mothers. These women supported and comforted me during my struggles. These same women have also been there to celebrate my milestones and share in my victories. Their love and encouragement have carried me through some challenging times. My spiritual mothers helped me overcome obstacles that I had allowed to hold me back. Their mentoring was and still is essential to my growth.

“Likewise, older women should be reverent in behavior, and not be false accusers, not be enslaved to much wine, but teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, and to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.” Titus 2:3-5 (MEV)

Titus 2 Mentoring

The Book of Titus was written by Paul to his brother-in-Christ, Titus. It is a personal letter encouraging Titus to serve the church in Crete despite the challenges and adversity. Most importantly, Paul warned against false teachings and explained the significance of modeling proper behaviors to the younger members.

Titus 2 has served as the model for spiritual mentoring for generations. Let’s examine the characteristics of a spiritual mentor as illustrated in Titus 2:1-5, Proverbs 31:10-31, and Revelation 22:18-19.

The Characteristics of a Spiritual Mentor

1. Spiritual mentors are to proclaim things consistent with God’s Word. A spiritual mentor is to guide by sound doctrine, God’s Word, and His Word is not to be diluted or miscommunicated. We are warned in Revelation 22:18-19 (NKJV),

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

2. Spiritual mentors should be reverent in behavior. Women who wish to serve as spiritual mentors are to be respectful in their conduct and actions. They are to serve with honor and respect. Spiritual mentors are called to reflect God in their actions, words, and deeds.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (HCSB)

3. Spiritual mentors should not be false accusers. Spiritual mentors and leaders of the church should speak with honor and be trustworthy with their speech. Gossiping, slander, and dishonesty have no place among church leaders or followers. Their words and actions are to reflect God’s Word and His standards. Words to encourage others and build them up.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 (HCSB)

4. Spiritual mentors must be self-controlled in their daily lives. Women who drink excessively or exhibit unhealthy habits in their nutrition, speech, or shopping must be aware of the potential influence they may have on a mentee. Spiritual mentors are to display self-control in their daily lives. Self-control is so significant that it is mentioned three times in Titus 2 (CSB).

“And here’s what I want you to teach the older women: Be respectful. Steer clear of gossip or drinking too much so that you can teach what is good to young women.” Titus 2:3-4 (VOICE)

5. Spiritual mentors are to teach what is good and true. God’s Word is the foundation for all teaching. A spiritual mentor seeks to teach the younger woman God’s standards for Christian living.

“Be a positive example, showing them what it is to love their husbands and children, and teaching them to control themselves in every way and to be pure. Train them to manage the household, to be kind, and to be submissive to their husbands, all of which honor the word of God.” Titus 2:4-5 (VOICE)

As you read through the characteristics listed above, take time to ask God to reveal how you can serve as a spiritual mentor to younger women. And if you need spiritual guidance for personal growth, consider seeking out a spiritually mature woman from your church or community. It is quite common for a spiritual mentor to seek mentoring as she also serves as a mentor to another.

These attributes of a spiritual mentor are meant to encourage us as we continue our pursuit of serving others through mentoring. This week, I challenge you to be go-getters for God, teaching what is good and true according to His Word.

If you have any questions about spiritual mentoring or would like to serve as a spiritual mentor, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to discuss your interest in serving as a spiritual mentor with you.

Keep on shining!