In the great commission we see a command that is given not just to pastors or missionaries, but to each and every Christian. That command is to go and make disciples. For many that might mean preaching and witnessing or even a “discipleship class” but what the Bible is telling us is that we must help people grow spiritual by investing our life and time in them. The question then comes, who are you investing your life in to make them the Christian that they should be. This relationship is called the Mentor/Mentee relationship. Even in the secular and business world these are terms that you hear often. The question that I want us to think about is, if I am to be involved in discipleship or mentoring, what type of person (mentee) should I be looking for. Even Christ was very specific about the men he chose to invest his life in. I would like to share with you five things to look for in a mentee, or disciple.
1. Are they goal-oriented?
Do they have personal goals that they are working and striving towards? No goals usually means no progress because you have no idea where you are headed. It’s like the old saying, “If you shoot at nothing your bound to hit it every time”.
2. Are they actively seeking challenging assignments and greater responsibility?
Are they the type person that accepts the status quo or are they always striving to do the undoable. This is the type person that doesn’t just accept “It can’t be done” but is willing to go outside their comfort zone to conquer new mountains.
3. Are they an initiator?
While we all need a little encouragement at times, a disciple who always has to be pushed and prodded will end up being nothing more than a drain on your time and energy. It’s those who are willing to go out and “grab the bull by the horns” that are going to get things done.
4. Are they eager to learn?
What we must come to understand is that ultimately the burden to learn rests on the learner not the one teaching. This requires of someone not only to have an eagerness to learn but also a willingness to be trained. Like the Chinese proverb says. You can give him a fish and he eats for a day, but if you teach him to fish he can eat for a lifetime.
5. Do they take responsibility for their own growth and development?
It is big man (or women) who is willing to admit their failures but a bigger one that is willing to do something about it. What many don’t realize is that there can be no growth in our lives if we are not willing to change.
The type of mentee or disciple that we should be looking for is one that responds to the interaction that we have with them. It is a person that when the ball is hit to his side of the court he is quick to return it so that the game may continue.
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