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MENTORS

In their book, "A is for Abductive", Sweet & McClaren write, "The duties of a spiritual coach are to bring out the best in a player. Coaches cannot play the game for their people, but they can teach, correct, discipline, motivate, mentor, inspire and praise their players to spiritual greatness. A personal spiritual coach helps disciples of Jesus to realize God's dream for their lives, maximize their soul's potential, and lead faithful, abundant lives true to the gospel."

—"A is for Abductive", p. 67. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

MENTORING

In Everyone’s Favorite Space Cowboy, Din Djarin, is fleeing from a post-imperial attack aimed at seizing from him the precious little asset known as “the Child,” who’s often colloquially referred to as “baby Yoda.” As the Mandalorian and his posse make their way to a secret hideout, they discover his friends and coworkers have all been killed, other than their mysterious leader, the Armorer.

The Armorer asks the Mandalorian, “Show me the one whose safety deemed necessary such destruction.” Upon seeing the creature, she notes that the Mandalorian’s quest is now to bring the Child back to its own people. She recalls, “The songs of eons past tell of battles between Mandalore the Great and an order of sorcerers called Jedi.” When it expresses surprise at this unusual mission, the Armorer simply answers their creedal mantra, “This is the way.”

The Child will never become whom it is born to be if he is not eventually adopted by a Jedi master as a padawan. The Mandalorian’s care for honor, and for the Child, means that he will go to great lengths to see this accomplished. Din Djarin cannot educate the Child to the point of actualizing its full potential. The Child needs an example, a model, from its own people. — Jim Wilson and Jon R. Pennington

--The Mandalorian, “Chapter 8: Redemption,” Season 1, Episode 8, Written by Jon Favreau, Released on Disney+ on 27 December 2019. The dialogue is also used in the Season 2 Official Trailer.

In the same way, we grow when we learn to imitate those who live the Christian life well.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB)

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

MENTORING

Discipleship needs the kind patterning that can only happen in healthy and authentic Christian relationships. Jim Wilder wisely observes, “Who we love has far more impact on character than what we believe.” — Jim Wilson and Jon R. Pennington

--Jim Wilder, Renovated: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church That Transforms (Colorado Springs: Nav Press, 2020), Kindle Edition, 48.

1 Thessalonians 1:5–6 (CSB)

because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.