• Model
• Mentor
• Instruct
• Coach
These may all sound like synonyms for teaching but there are
differences. The difference relates directly to how active
or passive you are in how you teach.
Modeling
Jesus gave us a great example of modeling when he washed his
disciples’ feet. John 13:12-15 records this. “When he had
finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and
returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done
for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,”
and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord
and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do
as I have done for you.”
Modeling can be done to anyone and
they don’t even have to be a willing participant. You model
a Christian lifestyle at work, at school, playing sports, in
front of friends and family members, and anywhere else you
go. Hopefully you model a good Christian lifestyle in all of
those places. This is ultimately your witness to these
people, any of them that know you are a Christian are going
to judge the Christian life by how you react.
If you frequently lose your temper and
fly off the handle in front of people, what kind of
Christian model are you? Similarly, if you are able to show
self-control under even the most difficult circumstances,
people will notice this and want to know how it is that you
are able to keep your cool.
As you model the Christian life
effectively, it will open up opportunities for you to
witness and engage in relationships where you can mentor,
instruct, or coach other people.
Next Section -
Mentoring
