In Part One, we looked at the powerful mentoring examples of Moses and Joshua. Let’s look now at the greatest mentor of all, Jesus, and how He developed some of His mentees during His years on earth.

Jesus the Master Mentor. Jesus’ impact on people and influence on their lives was and still is astonishing. The fact that Christianity spread to most of the known world at that time and is still alive and growing after 2,000 years bears wonderful testimony to the power of God and the efficacy of Christ’s earthly ministry. He and His ministry have powerfully touched individuals’ spiritual commitment and growth. Jesus has also been able to influence all other areas of individual lives—intellectual, emotional, social, and physical—always focusing His efforts on His mentees’ relationships with God. That’s Jesus’ portrayal of Discipling—what we choose to label here as Christ-centered mentoring.

Christ’s mentoring approaches were diverse, comprehensive, and effective. Consider these for your own mentoring ventures:

1. Jesus observed and listened attentively.

The gospels are full of examples of Jesus’ not only listening to but also understanding unexpressed concerns and questions.

2. Jesus stimulated trust.

The disciples’ hope was based upon His commitment to do the things He said. For example, when He kept His word and appeared to them after His resurrection, the disciples’ trust increased.

3. Jesus encouraged them.

Jesus encouraged His followers in many ways including using positively reinforcing words and phrases.

4. Jesus used powerful teaching.

He used provocative lectures, a multitude of settings and experiences, and employed “job shadowing” techniques, particularly with His 12 disciples. (That is, He asked them to accompany Him in order to see and hear Him doing His work.)

5. Jesus provided them with opportunities to excel.

Jesus gave his followers the chance to make a positive earthly impact followed by eternal opportunities. He gave His disciples opportunities to preach, teach, encourage, heal, and otherwise impact the world.

6. Jesus gave corrective feedback.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus offered corrective feedback to the distorted and uninformed beliefs of those who followed Him.

7. Jesus communicated a vision and His goal.

Followers of Jesus Christ understood that following Him implied sharing in His goals for them and serving His eternal purposes. He described His vision of how He hoped the disciples would serve the Kingdom after His death.

8. Jesus served multiple mentees, one-on-one and in groups.

Much of His most powerful mentoring was with His 12 disciples. He worked one-on-one with each man and selected three (Peter, James, and John) for extra time and intimate experiences with them. He also interacted with the group as a whole and had hundreds if not thousands of followers such as Cleopas, Nathanael, Levi the tax collector, and Joseph of Arimathea, who also developed because of His influence.

9. Jesus gave them authority, commissioned, and empowered them.

Most of us mentors don’t commission our mentees to go out and use the power and authority we grant them. Thankfully, Jesus did! He empowered His disciples for the specific purpose of their preaching the good news of the Kingdom and promoting their obedience to Jesus in all respects—not just enjoying the knowledge of His precepts.

For more information on Biblical examples of mentoring, see What the Bible Teaches about Mentoring: A Case for Discipling with a Capital D.