Biblical Mentorship: Nurturing and Guiding Women Toward Christ

There is a certain beauty about being so deeply known... and loved. Perhaps even more beautiful is hearing an older woman earnestly bring your burdens before the throne of God and plead for your healing and growth in Christ.

In my previous blog, I wrote about the profound impact of everyday mentorship. In this post, I

speak of another relationship I have with an older woman - one that is more structured and

scheduled.

I was floundering in the depths of depression - held captive by my past, in bondage to chronic anxiety, and crumbling with emotional instability. Then, by God’s grace she entered into my journey, and God has used her mightily in my life.

She has committed to meeting with me one morning a week in her home for about an hour and a half. She usually begins our time together by asking me about any victories I had in the past week, and then we delve into the challenging topics - the hurts, the trials, the disappointments, the fears, the longings.

Although there are more defined boundaries in this mentoring relationship compared to the one in my previous post, she still allows me to contact her during the week if I am particularly

struggling.

I am thankful my mentor always directs me to Christ. She teaches me how to spiral upwards

instead of downwards and how to use my triggers as cues to run to Jesus. Through the Word, she speaks truth into the lies I often believe and reveals the need for total heart transformation. She exhorts me to be diligent in my Bible reading and prayer and affirms the areas where I have grown. Hearing her speak of Jesus makes me want to love him even more.

Melissa Kruger in her book, Growing Together, illustrates how an older woman can assist in the growth of a younger woman. She tells the story of a young, thin tree damaged by a storm. A man takes a rope and binds the young tree to an older, stronger tree - one that could offer support and stability. The older tree can’t make the other tree grow. “It simply stands beside the younger tree and offers its strength for a season.” Likewise, in a mentoring relationship, a younger woman is tethered to an older, more mature believer. An older woman offers the strength that she herself has gained over the many years of walking with the Lord.

I am tethered to my mentor, and she is invested in my spiritual growth. Through her nurturing

care and guidance, I have come to experience the love of Christ in a new way. Her wisdom,

patience, and love have been a wonderful example to me in how to come alongside others.

I have come a long way in my healing journey, and I still have a long way to go. But I know, by

God’s grace, my mentor will stay by my side for as long and as far as she can.

Questions for consideration:

1. Do you long for a mentor? Or have you considered mentoring someone?

2. If you are a mentor, how have you seen significant growth in your mentee’s life?

3. What role does Scripture and prayer play in biblical mentorship?

4. How do you want your mentor to challenge you?

5. How often do you meet with your mentor/mentee? Do you have access to your mentor

through texting or phone calls in between your scheduled visits?