Mentor Like Jesus: Exploring How He Made DisciplesSample

Mentors are Selfless – It’s Not About Me

Mentoring like Jesus is a selfless endeavor. Jesus mentored out of obedience to the Father. He got nothing out of it personally. He simply responded to God’s call on His life and did what the Father led Him to do.

Mentoring like Jesus starts with selflessness on the part of the mentor. There has to be a drive or a calling to give back . . . to pay it forward. A commitment to the cause calls the mentor above selfish interest and toward selflessness.

Think about all the ways Jesus exhibited selflessness during his life on earth:

• He owned nothing so He could travel light and be totally focused on others.


• He gave up family to be about His mission.


• He often provided free food for people who were listening to His teaching.


• He helped fishermen catch fish.


• He healed people left and right and never asked for anything in return. Often He even asked people He healed not to tell anyone so that He wouldn’t even get the credit publicly.

But the “biggie” is His death on the cross. Jesus voluntarily gave His life so we could be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life.

What did Jesus get in return for this? Nothing. It was the ultimate act of selflessness . . . to give His life for the very people killing Him. That defines selflessness.

The selflessness of a good mentor is obvious. There’s a willingness to invest time in others when there is no return on investment for himself. In corporate settings, mentors often get recognized for their participation . . . a plaque, an article in the company newsletter and an awards banquet where they receive applause. But mentoring like Jesus did promises none of that. It’s is a one-way street . . . from mentor to mentee. No payback. No quid pro quo. Just selfless giving. And it’s wonderful.

Challenge: How many things completely selfless things do you do? Our Father in heaven is watching, and selflessness makes Him smile. Of all the human endeavors He likes, mentoring younger ones for kingdom purposes has to be one of His favorites . . . because that’s what His Son did when He was here. Will you say “yes” to His call to go make disciples?