Mentoring Course Guide & Workbook
Mentoring Essentials Guidebook: Introduction
Why Mentorship? Why You?
Jesus didn’t just preach to crowds—He invested deeply in a few who then went out and changed the world. That’s what mentorship is. It’s not about having all the answers but about walking with someone, encouraging growth, and leading by example.a
Matthew 4:19 – “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Jesus didn’t just call people to believe—He called them to follow Him and become fishers of men, meaning they would one day lead others as well. This is the heart of mentorship: investing in someone, so they can one day invest in someone else.
Every believer is called to disciple others—not just pastors, teachers, or long-time Christians. If you have faith in Jesus or a heart for helping others grow, you are equipped to mentor.
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
What Is a Mentor?
A mentor is someone who:
✅ Walks alongside another person, helping them grow in faith or life.
✅ Encourages real transformation through conversation and example.
✅ Equips them to one day mentor someone else, continuing the cycle.
Mentorship is not about having all the answers—it’s about being present, listening well, and pointing people to Jesus or godly principles in life.
The Two Paths of Mentorship
In this program, mentorship takes two forms:
1. Faith-Based Mentorship (Jesus Encounters)
This path is for mentoring someone who is open to faith or already seeking Jesus.
Your role is to:
- Guide them through the Jesus Encounters:
- Rescue Encounter – Understanding sin, salvation, and Jesus’ victory.
- Discipleship Encounter – Walking daily with Jesus.
- Sharing Encounter – Learning to evangelize and share faith.
- Help them build a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:2 – “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2. Life-Based Mentorship (Principles of Life & Leadership)
This path is for mentoring someone who may not be ready for faith but is open to guidance.
Your role is to:
- Help them grow in wisdom, discipline, purpose, and character.
- Walk with them through practical life challenges while modeling a Christ-centered way of living.
- Trust that over time, God may use your influence to draw them toward faith.
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
👉 Your role isn’t to force people into faith. It’s to walk with them, lead by example, and let God work in their lives.
👉 As a mentor, you are not expected to create content or come up with discussion topics on your own. The Jesus Encounter and Principles of Life courses provide structured lessons to guide each mentoring session. Your role is to walk alongside your mentee, helping them process what they are learning, apply it to their life, and grow deeper in faith or wisdom. The structure is in place—your job is to bring encouragement, guidance, and consistency.
What This Course Will Teach You
As you move through this mini-course, you will learn:
📌 How to be an effective mentor – listening, guiding, and leading without forcing.
📌 How to walk someone through a Jesus Encounter or a Life Mentorship Track.
📌 How to handle tough questions, doubts, and obstacles.
📌 How to encourage your mentee to eventually become a mentor.
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Fast-Track Option for Busy Mentors
We understand that not everyone has time to complete the full mentorship course right away. That’s why we’ve provided a Fast-Track Option for those who want to get started quickly.
✔ If you want the full mentorship training, complete all six lessons.
✔ If you want to get started quickly, focus on:
- Lesson 1: The Role of a Mentor
- Lesson 2: Core Mentoring Skills (Listening, Asking Questions, Encouragement)
- Lesson 4: The Practical Side of Mentorship (Scheduling, Handling Challenges, Staying Committed)
These three lessons will give you the essential tools to begin mentoring right away. You can always come back and complete the rest when you’re ready!
📌 Look for “Fast-Track Option ✅” labels in the course to know which lessons to focus on.
Your First Step: A Personal Reflection
Before jumping in, take a moment to pray and reflect on your personal calling to mentorship.
✍️ Reflection Exercise:
- Why do you feel called to mentor?
- Who has mentored you in your life? What impact did it have?
- Who in your life could you mentor?
➡ Write down your answers below. They will help guide you as you move through this course.
📖 Bible Reflection: Read Exodus 4:10-12 and reflect on how God calls and equips those who feel unprepared.
Exodus 4:10-12 – “But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’”
📌 Key Takeaway: You don’t have to be perfect—God uses those who are willing, not just those who feel ‘ready.’
Next: Module 1 – The Role of a Mentor
Now that you understand the big picture, let’s dive into what being a mentor really means.
Fast-Track Option ✅Lesson 1: The Role of a Mentor
📖 “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Introduction: What is Mentorship?
Have you ever had someone in your life who made a real difference—not by teaching at you, but by walking beside you? Maybe it was a coach, a teacher, a parent, or a friend who saw potential in you and encouraged you to take the next step.
That’s what mentorship is all about. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about walking alongside someone as they grow in faith and life.
Jesus didn’t just teach from a distance. He invited people to follow Him, to live with Him, and to learn by walking with Him. That’s our model for mentorship.
The goal of this lesson is to help you see mentorship through a biblical lens and to understand the incredible role you can play in someone else’s faith journey.
Point to Remember: The Biblical Model of Discipleship
Jesus didn’t just preach and move on—He walked with His disciples over time.
The Bible gives us many examples of one-on-one discipleship relationships, showing that mentorship is not just a good idea—it’s God’s plan for spiritual growth.
- Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, learn from Him, and then go out to teach others:
📖 “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” – Matthew 4:19-20 - Paul mentored Timothy, encouraging him to stay strong in his faith and lead others:
📖 “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2 - Moses guided Joshua before he became Israel’s leader:
📖 “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8
📖 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Mentorship is not just a one-time conversation—it’s a relationship over time where faith is modeled, encouraged, and passed on.
Point to Remember: How Mentorship Differs from Teaching
Many people think that mentoring is the same as teaching, but it’s not.
- Teaching is about passing on knowledge.
- Mentorship is about walking with someone as they apply that knowledge.
- Teaching can be passive—mentorship requires active engagement.
Think about the difference between a lecture and a coach. A teacher might explain how to shoot a basketball, but a coach walks with the player, corrects their stance, encourages them, and helps them improve over time.
A mentor doesn’t just talk—they live life alongside their mentee, guiding and supporting them.
Point to Remember: The Power of One-on-One Relationships
We live in a world that values teams, communities, and large-scale impact—and rightly so. There is great power in groups working together for a shared purpose. Church communities, small groups, and even large gatherings have helped shape and encourage many people in their faith.
But when we think about the people who have truly changed our lives, it almost always comes down to individual relationships.
Real-Life Reflection:
Think about your own life. Who has influenced you the most?
- Maybe it was a parent who guided you over the years.
- Perhaps it was a mentor who taught you about business, life, or faith.
- Maybe a friend, co-worker, or spouse challenged and encouraged you in ways you never expected.
- Or a business partner, a coach, or even someone you only knew for a short season changed the course of your life.
Faith isn’t just taught—it’s caught. It spreads through relationships.
Jesus spoke to crowds of thousands, but He spent most of His time mentoring twelve men—and within that group, He focused even more on just three: Peter, James, and John. He knew that true transformation happens when people walk together over time.
In our spiritual journeys, we grow when we have someone to challenge us, encourage us, and remind us who we are in Christ. A one-on-one mentor can make the difference between staying stagnant and growing into who God has called us to be.
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
True mentorship refines and strengthens both people. A mentor shapes the mentee, and the mentee challenges the mentor in return.
How This Course Guides Your Mentoring
One of the biggest concerns for new mentors is knowing what to talk about in each session. The good news is—you don’t have to figure that out on your own.
If you are mentoring through the faith-based path, the Encounter Jesus series provides structured lessons to guide each conversation. Each session has a clear topic, key takeaways, and discussion questions so that you and your mentee can focus on reflection, application, and growth in faith.
If you are mentoring through the life-based path, the Principles of Life & Leadership series provides a similar structure, helping your mentee grow in wisdom, discipline, and character through structured topics.
📖 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
Your role as a mentor is not to create lessons—your role is to walk alongside your mentee, listen to their reflections, ask good questions, and help them apply what they are learning.
This structure makes mentorship easier, more effective, and more consistent. Instead of worrying about what to talk about, you can focus on being present, listening well, and guiding your mentee through each lesson.
Summary of Lesson 1: The Role of a Mentor
Mentorship is about walking with someone, not just giving advice. The greatest mentors in Scripture—Jesus, Paul, Moses—didn’t just teach; they lived alongside those they were mentoring.
📖 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
A mentor:
✔ Invests in relationships over time.
✔ Walks alongside, rather than instructing from a distance.
✔ Guides with patience, encouragement, and wisdom.
True mentorship is not about having all the answers—it’s about being available, being present, and being faithful.
Reflection & Action Step
Reflection Question:
What does being a mentor mean to you? Have you ever had someone walk alongside you in faith? How did it impact you?
Write a short reflection (1-2 paragraphs) about a time when someone mentored you—or, if you’ve never had a mentor, write about how you think mentorship could have helped you in your faith.
✍️ Write your answer here:
📖 “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Next Steps
- If you haven’t already, pray about who God might be calling you to mentor.
- As we move into the next lesson, we will discuss practical skills that make a great mentor.
📖 Preview for Lesson 2: Core Skills of a Mentor – Learning how to listen, guide, and encourage without overwhelming or over-teaching.
Fast-Track Option ✅Lesson 2: Core Skills of a Mentor
📖 “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
Lesson Overview: Why Mentors Need Core Skills
Mentorship is not about knowing all the answers—it’s about walking with someone as they grow. The most effective mentors are those who:
- Listen well and truly understand their mentee.
- Ask the right questions instead of always giving answers.
- Guide and encourage rather than control.
This lesson will equip you with three core mentoring skills that will help you build trust, encourage real growth, and develop a strong mentoring relationship.
📌 Applying These Skills in Structured Mentorship
Since this program encourages mentors to guide their mentees through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life, these core skills will be most effective when applied within that structure.
- Active Listening helps the mentee process what they are learning from each lesson.
- Asking Good Questions encourages deeper reflection on how the material applies to their life.
- Encouraging & Challenging at the Right Time helps them take action on what they’ve learned.
📖 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
Each time you meet, your role is not to teach—the lesson provides the teaching. Your role is to listen, ask, and guide as your mentee processes and applies what they are learning.
Core Skill 1: The Skill of Active Listening
Most people think they are good listeners, but pride often works against true listening.
Why Most People Struggle with Listening
When someone speaks, our minds do something automatically:
1️⃣ We hear a key phrase that seems important.
2️⃣ We assume we know why they said it (we create a “Why Story” in our mind).
3️⃣ We stop fully listening and start formulating a response.
📌 The Problem:
🚧 We think we know why they said what they said—but we don’t.
🚧 We miss part of their message because we’re focused on responding.
🚧 Our response is often incomplete or incorrect because it’s based on assumption.
📖 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13
The True Fix: Humility Before Practical Skills
Active listening isn’t just about techniques—it’s about asking Jesus for the humility to truly listen.
Pride tells us:
❌ “I already understand.”
Humility tells us:
✅ “Only God fully knows someone’s heart. I need to ask and listen.”
📖 “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5
Before conversations, pray:
🙏 “Jesus, help me listen, not assume. Help me be slow to speak and quick to understand.”
Instead of assuming why someone said something, tell yourself:
✔ “I don’t know the full meaning of what they said yet.”
✔ “Only they can explain what they mean.”
✔ “My job is to ask and understand, not assume and respond.”
📖 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart.” – Jeremiah 17:9-10
Breaking the Cycle of Poor Listening
Once you have a humble mindset, these steps come naturally:
1️⃣ Catch yourself when you want to respond.
- Ask: “Do I actually know why they said this, or am I assuming?”
2️⃣ Instead of assuming, ask for clarity.
- “What do you mean by that?”
- “Why do you feel that way?”
(We will go deeper into asking good questions in the next section.)
3️⃣ Listen all the way through.
- Don’t interrupt—let them fully express their thoughts.
4️⃣ Paraphrase back to confirm your understanding.
- “I want to be sure I understand—are you saying that…?”
- “So what I hear you saying is…”
5️⃣ Ask them to confirm you got it right.
- “Did I get that right?”
📖 “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19
What This Fixes
✅ Eliminates the bad habit of assuming meaning (The “Why Story” trap).
✅ Prevents responding before fully understanding.
✅ Builds deeper trust because people feel truly heard.
✅ Changes not just listening skills, but the heart posture toward humility.
📌 Key Takeaway:
💡 Great listeners don’t assume—they ask. And great mentors ask Jesus for humility before they listen.
Practice Exercise
This week, practice breaking the habit of assuming in everyday conversations:
- Did you assume you knew why someone said something?
- What would have changed if you had asked, “What do you mean by that?”
- How could your response have been different?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
📖 Final Encouragement:
🙏 Before your next conversation, pause and pray:
“Jesus, help me be humble. Help me listen fully before I assume. Let me hear others the way You hear me.”
Core Skill 2: The Skill of Asking Good Questions
A great mentor doesn’t just listen well—they also ask the right questions to help their mentee process, reflect, and grow.
📖 “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” – Proverbs 20:5
A mentor’s role is not to give all the answers but to help the mentee explore what God is doing in their life.
How to Ask Good Questions
1️⃣ Encourage Reflection.
- Instead of giving answers, ask:
- “What do you think God is teaching you through this?”
2️⃣ Clarify Meaning.
- Sometimes people speak vaguely—help them process by asking:
- “What do you mean by that?”
- “Can you explain that a little more?”
3️⃣ Understand the Why.
- Some people find “Why?” questions intimidating—try softer wording:
- “What makes you feel that way?”
- “What led you to that conclusion?”
4️⃣ Guide Toward Action.
- Help your mentee move forward by asking:
- “What’s one small step you can take this week?”
📖 “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” – Proverbs 1:5
What Good Questions Communicate
✔ I value your thoughts and perspective.
✔ I trust that God is working in you.
✔ I am here to guide, not to control.
📌 Key Takeaway:
💡 A great mentor doesn’t just listen—they help their mentee think deeply and take action.
Practice Exercise
Think of a time when you were struggling with something.
- What question do you wish someone had asked you to help you process it?
✍️ Write your answer here:
📖 Final Encouragement:
🙏 “Lord, help me not just to listen well, but to ask good questions that lead others to You.”
Core Skill 3: The Skill of Encouraging and Challenging at the Right Time
Mentorship requires discernment—knowing when to encourage, when to challenge, and when to simply listen and wait. As mentors, we must recognize that this is not a skill we master on our own. It is a practice of walking with the Holy Spirit and trusting Him to guide our words and actions.
📖 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
A mentor is like a coach—they see potential, celebrate progress, but also push when needed. However, without prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we risk offering our own wisdom rather than God’s direction.
How to Balance Encouragement and Challenge with the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
- Encouraging Someone Who Feels Inadequate
- Many people struggle with self-doubt. They need to hear truth spoken over them and be reminded that God is at work in their life.
- Examples of encouragement:
- “God has already equipped you for what He is calling you to do.”
- “I see real progress in you, even if you don’t see it yet.”
- Pray before speaking encouragement: “Lord, what truth does this person need to hear from You right now?”
- 📖 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
- Challenging Someone Who Is Hesitant to Take Action
- Some mentees know the next step but hesitate to take it. A mentor helps gently but firmly challenge them to move forward.
- Example:
- “What is stopping you from taking this next step? Let’s pray about it together before we discuss it further.”
- Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom: “God, is now the time to challenge them, or do they need more encouragement first?”
- 📖 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” – James 1:5
- Praying Before Speaking
- Instead of always deciding on your own whether to encourage, challenge, or wait, invite the Holy Spirit into the moment.
- This can be as simple as a quick prayer before responding:
- “Holy Spirit, guide my words.”
- “Lord, help me speak only what will build up, not tear down.”
- It’s also okay to pause in a mentoring session and pray together. If a mentee is struggling with a decision, consider saying:
- “Let’s take a moment to pray before we continue our discussion.”
- 📖 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” – Luke 12:12
What Spirit-Led Encouragement or Challenge Communicates
- I trust that God is working in you, not just my own wisdom.
- I will push you when needed but will also listen for God’s timing.
- I am not here to control or direct you—I am here to walk with you as God leads.
A mentor’s words and timing matter. If we always encourage but never challenge, the mentee may stay stagnant. If we challenge too often without encouragement, they may feel discouraged or overwhelmed. This is why prayer is essential—mentorship is not about our best ideas but about being used by God to help another person grow.
📖 “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21
Practice Exercise
Think of a time when you weren’t sure whether to encourage someone, challenge them, or just listen. What would have changed if you had paused to pray first?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
The best mentors pray for their mentees regularly and seek God’s guidance in every conversation. If you want to mentor well, make prayer a part of the process—not just something you do afterward.
Closing Thoughts on Core Mentoring Skills
Being a mentor is not about having all the right answers—it’s about being present, engaged, and willing to walk alongside someone as they grow. These three skills—active listening, asking good questions, and balancing encouragement with challenge—are essential for building strong, trusting relationships that lead to real growth.
📖 “Whoever gives an answer before he listens, it is folly and shame to him.” – Proverbs 18:13
If you apply these skills in your mentoring relationships, you will:
✔ Help your mentee feel truly heard and understood.
✔ Guide them toward self-reflection and personal ownership of their growth.
✔ Support them in both encouragement and challenge, allowing them to take meaningful steps forward.
These skills are not just for mentoring—they are skills for life. Practicing them daily will make you a better friend, spouse, co-worker, and leader. The more you use them, the more natural they will become.
📖 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5
As you move forward, make a habit of praying before your mentoring conversations. Ask God to give you wisdom, patience, and discernment so that you can be the kind of mentor who helps others grow closer to Him.
Reflection & Action Step
Think about a recent conversation where you had an opportunity to listen more attentively, ask a better question, or choose between encouragement and challenge. What could you have done differently?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
The best mentors pray for their mentees regularly and seek God’s guidance in every conversation. Before your next mentoring session or conversation, take a moment to pray:
“Lord, give me ears to listen, wisdom to ask the right questions, and discernment to know when to encourage or challenge.”
📖 Preview for Lesson 3: Facilitating Meaningful Discussions – How to lead your mentee through deeper faith conversations.
Lesson 3: Facilitating Meaningful Discussions
📖 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
Lesson Overview: Leading Conversations That Matter
One of the greatest advantages of mentoring through Encounter Jesus (faith-based) or Principles of Life (life-based) is that you don’t have to come up with what to talk about each time. The course gives you a structured guide, which keeps conversations focused and purposeful.
Your role as a mentor is to:
✔ Help the mentee process what they’re learning.
✔ Ask questions that help them reflect and apply the material.
✔ Keep discussions focused on growth, while allowing space for personal struggles and insights.
✔ Adapt when the mentee needs to talk about something outside the course material.
This lesson will help you use Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life effectively as your foundation for mentoring discussions while still making space for the mentee’s unique journey.
Point to Remember: Let the Course Structure Guide You
The biggest challenge new mentors face is knowing what to discuss each time. Using a structured course removes that pressure while still allowing flexibility. More importantly, mentorship is about walking alongside the mentee—not just guiding from a distance.
Instead of asking your mentee to complete the lesson on their own, you should experience it together. This builds trust, encourages shared reflection, and allows your mentee to see your reactions, insights, and personal engagement in real-time.
How to Use the Course as Your Discussion Guide:
- Start by watching the lesson video together.
- This ensures both of you are fully engaged and experiencing the same teaching.
- Seeing each other’s expressions and reactions helps build deeper conversations.
- Immediately after the video, go through the reflection questions together.
- Take your time with each question, allowing open discussion before moving to the next one.
- Encourage honesty—both from your mentee and yourself.
- Engage in the writing or journaling assignments together.
- If the lesson includes a personal reflection exercise, do it alongside your mentee.
- Share thoughts if appropriate, but let them write privately if they need space.
- Help them apply the lesson to their real life.
- “How do you see this lesson affecting your daily life?”
- “What’s one thing you can do this week to live this out?”
- Close by praying together.
- Thank God for what was learned.
- Ask Him to give wisdom and strength to apply the lesson.
- If the mentee has concerns or struggles, take time to pray specifically for those needs together.
📖 “The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.” – Proverbs 10:14
Point to Remember: When a Mentee Needs to Go Off-Course
While the Encounter Jesus and Principles of Life courses give a clear structure, sometimes your mentee will bring up struggles or questions that don’t directly relate to the lesson. This is normal—and important.
How to Respond When the Conversation Shifts:
- Don’t rush back to the lesson—some of the most meaningful discussions happen when a mentee is wrestling with real-life issues.
- Let them talk freely, but listen for connections to what they are learning.
- If they go completely off-track, gently guide them back by asking:
- “That’s a great thought—how do you think it connects to what we’ve been discussing in the lessons?”
- “How does this challenge or support what you learned in the last session?”
- If it’s a deeper issue, you might need to pause the structured course for a week to focus on what they’re going through.
📖 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
Mentoring isn’t about forcing lessons—it’s about helping your mentee grow in their faith and life.
While every session may take its own path, your goal is always the same—to help your mentee walk away with something valuable to reflect on and apply in their life.
Point to Remember: Making Every Session Meaningful
At the end of each discussion, your mentee should walk away with something to reflect on or act on.
How to Ensure Each Session Has Impact:
- Always end by asking about their biggest takeaway.
- “What’s one thing you’re walking away with from this conversation?”
- If possible, set a small action step for next time.
- Instead of “I need to trust God more,” ask, “What’s one way you can practice trusting God this week?”
- Instead of “I should pray more,” ask, “What time each day do you want to set aside for prayer?”
📖 “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
If a mentee walks away from every session with something specific to apply, they will continue growing between meetings.
Reflection & Action Step
Think about a time when you were in a structured study or course.
- Did you have someone helping you process it?
- What made those discussions helpful (or unhelpful)?
- How can you apply those insights to your mentoring conversations?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
📖 Next Lesson Preview: The Practical Side of Mentorship – How to create a consistent rhythm, schedule meetings, and handle challenges in mentoring.
Fast-Track Option ✅Lesson 4: The Practical Side of Mentorship
📖 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Lesson Overview: The Structure That Sustains Mentorship
A great mentor doesn’t just have good conversations—they build consistency and commitment into the relationship. Without structure, mentorship can fade away or become sporadic and ineffective.
Since this program encourages mentors to walk through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life with their mentee, having a clear schedule and structure is even more important. This lesson will help you:
✔ Establish a regular meeting schedule that both you and your mentee can commit to.
✔ Follow a structured rhythm for each mentoring session using the course materials.
✔ Handle common challenges, like cancellations or disengagement.
✔ Know when to step back if a mentee is no longer invested.
Being intentional about scheduling and structure will keep the mentoring relationship strong and allow for real growth over time.
Point to Remember: Establishing a Consistent Schedule
A mentoring relationship thrives on consistency. If you meet randomly or too infrequently, the impact weakens.
How Often Should You Meet?
- Weekly or biweekly is ideal for most mentorships.
- Monthly can work for some situations but is harder to maintain.
- If life gets busy, reschedule—but don’t cancel completely.
📖 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40
Since you will be going through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life together, you should have a set rhythm for completing each lesson.
📌 Tip: Set a specific day and time for meetings so it becomes part of your routine. If possible, meet at the same place or on the same video call platform for consistency.
Point to Remember: Structuring Each Mentoring Session
THIS WAS DISCUSSED IN LESSON 3, but restated here because it is important. Every mentoring session will be structured around the lesson from Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life that you and your mentee are completing together.
THIS WAS DISCUSSED IN LESSON 3, A simple mentoring session structure:
- Watch the lesson video together.
- This ensures both of you are engaged in the same content.
- Seeing each other’s reactions fosters trust and deeper discussion.
- Immediately discuss the reflection questions.
- Let the mentee share their thoughts first before giving your perspective.
- Encourage openness and honesty.
- Engage in the journaling or written assignments.
- If the lesson includes a personal reflection exercise, do it together.
- Some mentees may want to share their thoughts aloud; others may prefer to write privately.
- Help them apply the lesson to real life.
- “How does this lesson affect your daily life?”
- “What’s one thing you can do this week to live this out?”
- Close by praying together.
- Thank God for what was learned.
- Ask Him to give wisdom and strength to apply the lesson.
- If the mentee has concerns or struggles, pray specifically for those needs.
📖 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” – Psalm 143:10
Keeping a simple, repeatable structure helps mentees feel secure and stay engaged.
📌 Tip: If a meeting ever feels unproductive, ask, “What’s one thing we can focus on next time?”
Point to Remember: Handling Challenges in Mentorship
Even the best mentoring relationships face challenges. Here’s how to handle common obstacles:
What If Your Mentee Keeps Canceling or Losing Interest?
- Ask if they’re still interested in mentorship. Sometimes, life changes or they aren’t in a season where they want to grow.
- Instead of assuming, ask:
- “Is this still something that’s helpful for you right now?”
- If they aren’t committed, give them space—but leave the door open.
📖 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
What If They Don’t Open Up?
- Be patient. Some people take longer to trust.
- Keep asking good questions—but don’t pressure them.
- Pray for God to soften their heart and make them receptive.
What If You Feel Like You Aren’t Helping?
- You don’t have to “fix” your mentee—you just have to walk with them.
- Trust that God is working in ways you can’t always see.
📖 “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” – 1 Corinthians 3:7
Point to Remember: You Are Not Alone in This
Mentoring comes with challenges, and you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. As part of this program, you have access to:
- The Mentor Discussion Group (Available on the Website):
- A place where mentors can ask questions, share experiences, and get advice from others who are walking the same path.
- This group is monitored daily, and I personally respond to questions, ensuring you always have support when needed.
- Direct Messaging in the System:
- If you ever feel stuck, you can reach out directly to other mentors for guidance and encouragement.
📖 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22
You don’t have to mentor alone—stay connected and use these resources when you need help!
Reflection & Action Step
Think about your own schedule and commitments.
- How often can you realistically meet with a mentee?
- What challenges might come up, and how will you handle them?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
The best mentors pray for their mentees regularly and seek God’s guidance in every conversation.
📖 Next Lesson Preview: Helping Your Mentee Become a Mentor – How to guide them into mentoring others so that discipleship continues to multiply.
Lesson 5: Helping Your Mentee Become a Mentor
📖 “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Lesson Overview: Why Mentorship Should Multiply
The goal of mentorship is not just to help one person grow—it’s to create a cycle of discipleship where mentees become mentors, continuing the work of guiding others to Christ and godly wisdom.
Many people hesitate to become mentors because they feel unqualified or unsure of what to teach. The good news? They don’t have to create anything new. They can walk their mentee through the exact same path they just walked—the Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life online courses.
This lesson will help you:
✔ Reinforce the idea that mentorship is simply walking with someone else down the same path you just traveled.
✔ Recognize when your mentee is ready to mentor someone else.
✔ Encourage them to take that next step without fear.
✔ Reinforce the importance of staying connected to the mentor support network.
Point to Remember: The Path is Already in Place
Your mentee does not have to come up with lessons, topics, or materials—the path is already set before them.
- Just as you walked through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life together, your mentee can now take someone else through that same journey.
- They don’t have to be an expert—they simply need to walk with their mentee through the course, watching the videos together, answering questions, and reflecting on the lessons.
- If they feel uncertain, remind them:
- They already know the material.
- They are not teaching—they are guiding.
- The goal is not to have all the answers, but to walk alongside someone in faith or life.
📖 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
📌 Encourage your mentee by telling them: “You don’t need to be an expert to be a mentor—you just need to be willing to walk with someone the same way I walked with you.”
Point to Remember: How to Recognize When Your Mentee is Ready
Not every mentee will be ready to mentor someone else immediately, but here are some signs that they may be prepared:
✔ They engage deeply with the lessons and discussions.
✔ They begin encouraging and supporting others in natural ways.
✔ They have expressed interest in leading, serving, or teaching.
✔ They are living out the lessons, not just discussing them.
📖 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:8
If you recognize these qualities, affirm them in your mentee. Many people don’t see their own readiness and need encouragement to take that next step.
📌 Tip: If they hesitate, remind them that they aren’t creating something new—they are simply walking the path again, but now with someone else.
Point to Remember: How to Encourage Your Mentee to Become a Mentor
When your mentee seems ready, have a conversation about mentorship. Some good ways to introduce it:
- “You’ve come a long way in this journey. Have you ever thought about walking someone else through it like I did with you?”
- “One of the best ways to continue growing is to mentor someone else. What do you think about that?”
- “You don’t have to be an expert to be a mentor—you just have to be willing to walk with someone.”
📖 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
Many mentees will hesitate at first. They may say things like:
🚧 “I don’t know enough yet.”
🚧 “I’m not sure I can do it as well as you did.”
🚧 “What if I mess up?”
Reassure them that every mentor feels that way at first, but God calls us to lead others, not because we are perfect, but because we are faithful.
📌 Tip: If your mentee is uncertain, suggest that they start small—mentoring just one person through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life.
Point to Remember: Reinforcing the Mentor Support System
New mentors need support, just like you did. That’s why staying connected to the mentor discussion group and direct messaging system is so important.
✔ Engage in the mentor discussion group.
- Ask questions when you need guidance.
- Offer insight when other mentors ask for help.
- Share your experiences—what worked for you, what challenges you’ve faced, and what God has taught you through mentorship.
✔ Be willing to help others.
- Just as someone helped you when you started, you now have wisdom that could encourage someone else.
- You don’t have to be an expert to provide valuable insights. Even sharing one small lesson you’ve learned could make a huge difference to another mentor.
📖 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
✔ Stay engaged, even after you start mentoring.
- The best mentors are always learning, always growing, and always helping.
- Your involvement in the mentor discussion group strengthens the entire mentorship community.
📌 Tip: Think of mentorship as a team effort—you are not doing this alone, and the more we help each other, the more effective we will be in guiding others.
Reflection & Action Step
Think about your own journey through mentorship:
- Did someone encourage you to take this step?
- What gave you the confidence to begin mentoring?
- How can you now help someone else take that step?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
📖 Final Lesson Preview: Living as a Mentor Beyond This Course – Staying engaged in mentorship as a lifelong commitment.
Lesson 6: Living as a Mentor Beyond This Course
📖 “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Lesson Overview: Mentorship as a Lifelong Calling
Now that you have completed this course, you are equipped to walk alongside others as they grow in faith or life principles. But mentorship doesn’t end here.
A great mentor:
✔ Continues to learn and grow, both spiritually and in mentoring skills.
✔ Remains engaged in the mentor community, offering wisdom and support to others.
✔ Is always looking for the next person to walk with—discipleship is ongoing.
This lesson will encourage you to see mentorship as a long-term investment, not just a one-time role.
Point to Remember: Keep Mentoring, Keep Growing
Mentorship is not just a seasonal commitment—it’s a way of life. Whether you are:
- Currently mentoring someone,
- Between mentoring relationships, or
- Feeling unsure about your next step…
Your call to invest in others does not stop here.
📖 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25
✔ Keep seeking God’s guidance on who to mentor next.
✔ Keep walking the path of Encounter Jesus and Principles of Life—because each time you walk it with someone new, you grow too.
✔ Keep developing your mentoring skills—the best mentors never stop learning.
📌 Tip: If you’re unsure what to do next, simply ask: “Lord, who are You calling me to walk with?”
Point to Remember: Stay Engaged in the Mentor Community
As a mentor, you are part of something bigger than yourself. The mentorship community exists to:
✔ Encourage you when mentoring is difficult.
✔ Offer wisdom when you have challenges.
✔ Provide new perspectives and fresh ideas for mentoring.
📖 “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Ways to Stay Engaged:
- Check in regularly on the mentor discussion group.
- Continue asking and answering questions.
- Be available to new mentors who need guidance.
📌 Remember: Your involvement in the mentor community not only helps you grow—it helps others succeed.
Point to Remember: Always Be Looking for the Next Mentee
A mentor should always be on the lookout for who God is calling them to invest in next. Sometimes, it’s obvious—a person asks for help or expresses spiritual hunger. Other times, God may place someone on your heart who you wouldn’t have thought of naturally.
📖 “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19
If you don’t have a mentee right now:
- Pray about it. Ask God to show you who He wants you to walk with.
- Stay prepared. Just because you’re between mentees doesn’t mean you’re done.
- Be open. Sometimes, the best mentees are the ones we least expect.
📌 Tip: If you’ve mentored someone through Encounter Jesus or Principles of Life, ask them, “Do you know someone else who would benefit from this journey? Maybe we could walk with them together.”
Reflection & Final Action Step
Mentorship is not just about completing a course—it’s about a lifelong commitment to investing in others.
Reflection Questions:
- What has been the most meaningful part of this mentorship course for you?
- What is one key lesson you’ve learned about being a mentor?
- Who is God putting on your heart to mentor next?
✍️ Write your thoughts here:
📌 Final Encouragement:
You are now part of a growing network of mentors who are helping people encounter Jesus, grow in wisdom, and live with purpose.
This is just the beginning. Keep walking, keep mentoring, and keep trusting God to use you in ways you never imagined.
Final Wrap-Up: Keep Walking, Keep Mentoring
You have now completed the mentorship course—but the journey is far from over.
📖 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
A great mentor never stops learning and never stops walking with others. Whether you are about to begin mentoring for the first time or you’ve already walked with several mentees, God has more in store for you.
What to Do Next:
✔ Start mentoring someone if you haven’t already.
✔ Stay engaged in the mentor community. Ask questions, offer advice, and support others.
✔ Pray regularly for your mentee(s) and for God to send you more people to walk with.
✔ Continue growing as a mentor. Every mentorship experience will teach you something new.
📌 Encouragement: You don’t need to be perfect to be a great mentor. You just need to be willing.
You are part of something bigger than just one mentoring relationship. You are part of a movement of mentors, guiding people toward Jesus, wisdom, and a life of purpose.
🚀 Now, go and make disciples.