Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Reflection - Redemptive Relationships - Mentoring Core Teaching

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 20, "Mentoring the Next Generation", Question 2, Page 136.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Read 2 Timothy 3:10-11.
PHOTO: Read 2 Timothy 3:10-11. Reflect on the various aspects of Paul's legacy in terms of teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, endurance, and sufferings.
Referring to the special mentoring relationship he had with the younger Timothy, Paul wrote, "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10-11). Paul's life was like an open book to Timothy, who learned from Paul's instruction and example in various key aspects of life. Notice the broad range of Paul's list. These things are best learned in the school of life, as an apprenticeship.

We should remember Swiss physician Paul Tournier's advice: "Success in retirement depends in great measure on the way we lived beforehand." Indeed, how we live in retirement draws a lot on how we have lived before. This is true not only for our personal growth but also for how we nurture and influence others.


Discuss what should be the core teachings we should leave behind among our family, friends, colleagues, and mentees.
There are five key actions that can bring a mentoring relationship forward.
  • See the potential of a mentee. Paul noted Timothy's heritage, calling, and giftedness (2 Timothy 1:3-7), and invested his time and effort in Timothy's life.
  • Encourage the mentee to guard his gifts. Paul indicates that Timothy must "guard the good deposit that was entrusted" to him (2 Timothy 1:14). In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we find Paul giving clear instructions to his protégé on how he can invest his special giftedness. Specifically, Paul uses three analogies to convey this message on guarding. Paul knows that if Timothy was to fulfil his life's passion, he must learn to think from the perspectives of a soldier, athlete, and farmer.
  • Warn the mentee of potential weaknesses. In 2 Timothy 2:20-23, Paul broadly mentions areas that will strengthen Timothy's life and ministry and others that will weaken and undermine him.
  • Emphasise perseverance. Paul realistically indicates the scope of difficulties that Timothy would have to face in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.
  • Be an example. Paul boldly declares that Timothy should follow his example when investing his life, so that he would not be disappointed (2 TImothy 3:14). We are called to the "ministry of example".

Older Christians have an important responsibility to nurture younger Christians through mentoring relationships. We need to ask, "Do I have my 'Timothys'? If not, can I spot any?" If we can pass on our blessings to those we leave behind, we may end our life like Abraham, who "died at a ripe old age, old and contented" (Genesis 25:8 HCSB). That is a good way to live, and a good way to die.
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Read 2 Timothy 3:10-11. Reflect on the various aspects of Paul's legacy in terms of teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, endurance, and sufferings. Discuss what should be the core teachings we should leave behind among our family, friends, colleagues, and mentees.

Read 2 Timothy 3:10-11. Reflect on the various aspects of Paul's legacy in terms of teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, endurance, and sufferings. [1]
Referring to the special mentoring relationship he had with the younger Timothy, Paul wrote, "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10-11). Paul's life was like an open book to Timothy, who learned from Paul's instruction and example in various key aspects of life. Notice the broad range of Paul's list. These things are best learned in the school of life, as an apprenticeship.


Referring to te special mentoring relationship he had with the younger Timothy
Referring to te special mentoring relationship he had with the younger Timothy
PHOTO: Referring to the special mentoring relationship he had with the younger Timothy, Paul wrote, "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10-11). Paul's life was like an open book to Timothy, who learned from Paul's instruction and example in various key aspects of life. These things are best learned in the school of life, as an apprenticeship.
Picture posted by  Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
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We should remember Swiss physician Paul Tournier's advice: "Success in retirement depends in great measure on the way we lived beforehand." [78] Indeed, how we live in retirement draws a lot on how we have lived before. This is true not only for our personal growth but also for how we nurture and influence others.


We should remember Swiss physician Paul Tournier's advice
PHOTO: We should remember Swiss physician Paul Tournier's advice: "Success in retirement depends in great measure on the way we lived beforehand." How we live in retirement draws a lot on how we have lived before. This is true not only for our personal growth but also for how we nurture and influence others.
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Discuss what should be the core teachings we should leave behind among our family, friends, colleagues, and mentees. [1]
There are five key actions that can bring a mentoring relationship forward.
  • See the potential of a mentee. Paul noted Timothy's heritage, calling, and giftedness (2 Timothy 1:3-7), and invested his time and effort in Timothy's life.

See the potential of a mentee.PHOTO: See the potential of a mentee. Paul noted Timothy's heritage, calling, and giftedness (2 Timothy 1:3-7), and invested his time and effort in Timothy's life.
  • Encourage the mentee to guard his gifts. Paul indicates that Timothy must "guard the good deposit that was entrusted" to him (2 Timothy 1:14). In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we find Paul giving clear instructions to his protégé on how he can invest his special giftedness. Specifically, Paul uses three analogies to convey this message on guarding. Paul knows that if Timothy was to fulfil his life's passion, he must learn to think from the perspectives of a soldier, athlete, and farmer.

Encourage the mentee to guard his gifts.PHOTO: Encourage the mentee to guard his gifts. Paul indicates that Timothy must "guard the good deposit that was entrusted" to him (2 Timothy 1:14). In 2 Timothy 2:1-7, we find Paul giving clear instructions to his protégé on how he can invest his special giftedness. Specifically, Paul uses three analogies to convey this message on guarding. Paul knows that if Timothy was to fulfil his life's passion, he must learn to think from the perspectives of a soldier, athlete, and farmer.
  • Warn the mentee of potential weaknesses. In 2 Timothy 2:20-23, Paul broadly mentions areas that will strengthen Timothy's life and ministry and others that will weaken and undermine him.

Warn the mentee of potential weaknesses.
PHOTO: Warn the mentee of potential weaknesses. In 2 Timothy 2:20-23, Paul broadly mentions areas that will strengthen Timothy's life and ministry and others that will weaken and undermine him. 
  • Emphasise perseverance. Paul realistically indicates the scope of difficulties that Timothy would have to face in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

Emphasise perseverance.
PHOTO: Emphasise perseverance. Paul realistically indicates the scope of difficulties that Timothy would have to face in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. 
  • Be an example. Paul boldly declares that Timothy should follow his example when investing his life, so that he would not be disappointed (2 TImothy 3:14). We are called to the "ministry of example". [79]
Be an example.
PHOTO: Be an example. Paul boldly declares that Timothy should follow his example when investing his life, so that he would not be disappointed (2 TImothy 3:14). We are called to the "ministry of example". 

Older Christians have an important responsibility to nurture younger Christians through mentoring relationships. We need to ask, "Do I have my 'Timothys'? If not, can I spot any?" If we can pass on our blessings to those we leave behind, we may end our life like Abraham, who "died at a ripe old age, old and contented" (Genesis 25:8 HCSB). [80] That is a good way to live, and a good way to die.


Older Christians have an important responsibility to nurture younger Christians through mentoring relationships.
PHOTO: Older Christians have an important responsibility to nurture younger Christians through mentoring relationships.  If we can pass on our blessings to those we leave behind, we may end our life like Abraham, who "died at a ripe old age, old and contented" (Genesis 25:8 HCSB). [80] That is a good way to live, and a good way to die.
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Dear LordPHOTO: "Dear Lord, please help us to conform to the various aspects of Paul's legacy in terms of teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, endurance, and sufferings. Paul's life was like an open book to Timothy, who learned from Paul's instruction and example in various key aspects of life. Due to the broad range of Paul's list, help us to learn them in the school of life, as an apprenticeship.

Lord, we learn that success in retirement depends in great measure on the way we lived beforehand. How we live in retirement draws a lot on how we have lived before. Thank You for having us realise that this is true not only for our personal growth but also for how we nurture and influence others.

Help us to leave behind the core teachings among our family, friends, colleagues, and mentees.

Allow us to see the potential of a mentee. Just like Paul noted Timothy's heritage, calling, and giftedness, and invested his time and effort in Timothy's life.

Lord, give us the ability to encourage the mentee to guard our gifts. Paul indicates that Timothy must ‘guard the good deposit that was entrusted’ to him. We find Paul giving clear instructions to his protégé on how he can invest his special giftedness. We learn that Paul uses three analogies to convey this message on guarding. Help us to be like Paul, and know that if our mentees were to fulfil their life's passion, they must learn to think from the perspectives of a soldier, athlete, and farmer.

Provide us with the skill to warn our mentee of their potential weaknesses. Paul broadly mentions areas that will strengthen Timothy's life and ministry and others that will weaken and undermine him.

We learn that we are to emphasise perseverance. Like Paul, help us realistically to indicate the scope of difficulties that our mentees would have to face.

Help us to be good examples. Then we can be like Paul, who boldly declares that Timothy should follow his example when investing his life, so that he would not be disappointed. We are called to the ‘ministry of example’.

Help us when we become older Christians, to be able to take up the important responsibility to nurture younger Christians through mentoring relationships. Help us to spot our mentees so that we can pass on our blessings to those we leave behind. We would like to end our life like Abraham, who ‘died at a ripe old age, old and contented’. That is a good way to live, and a good way to die.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
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Reflection - Redemptive Relationships - Mentoring Core Teaching
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 20, "Mentoring the Next Generation", Question 2, Page 136.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012




 
 
Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 
 

Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART III: REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, Chapter 20, "Mentoring the Next Generation", Page 133-135.

[78] Tournier, Learn to Grow Old, 19.

[79] Hays and Hays, "The Christian Practice of Growing Old", 17.

[80] Cf. King David who "died at a ripe old age, full of days, riches, and honor" (1 Chronicles 29:28, HCSB).
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Chronicles 29:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Chronicles+29%3A28&version=HCSB

2 Timothy 1:3-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A3-7&version=NIV

2 Timothy 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A14&version=NIV

2 Timothy 2:1-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A1-7&version=NIV

2 Timothy 2:20-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A20-23&version=NIV

2 Timothy 3:1-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A1-9&version=NIV

2 Timothy 3:10-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A10-11&version=NIV

2 TImothy 3:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+TImothy+3%3A14&version=HCSB

Genesis 25:8 HCSB - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+25%3A8&version=HCSB

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

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