CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MENTOR
(1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
by: Sis. Theresa V. Diaz
Author: Paul
Date Written: Approximately A.D. 51 from Corinth; one of Paul’s earliest letters.
Purpose: To strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith and give them the assurance of Christ’s return.
Apostle Paul’s background:
Paul established the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. He wrote this letter a short time later to encourage the young believers there. He wanted to assure them of his love, to praise them for their faithfulness during persecution, and to remind them of their hope – the sure return of their LORD and Savior.
Born in Tarsus but became a world traveler for Christ.
Paul was a Jew, a Roman citizen, a Pharisee, an apostle, a preacher, a teacher, a tentmaker, & an evangelizer. And Paul was a writer. Thirteen of the Twenty Seven books of the New Testament are attributed to him, making him a prolific composer.
Occupations: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tent making trade, served as a missionary.
Apostle Paul was transformed by God from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ. Let us review what is the meaning of mentor? A mentor is a trusted friend, a wise counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person.
M - mature, E - encourager, N - nurturer, T - teacher, O -overseer, R - restorer
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MENTOR
1) Boldness & Endurance in suffering. V 1-2
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
“Our coming to you” refers to Paul’s visit to Thessalonica recorded in Acts 17:1-19. The Thessalonians knew that Paul has been imprisoned in Philippi just prior coming to Thessalonica. Fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from preaching the gospel. If God wants us to do something He will give us the strength and courage to boldly speak out for Him despite any obstacles that may come our way. Boldnessrequires courage to press through fears and do what is right.
2) Honesty & Purity. V3-6
3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
Paul could be bold in the face of opposition because he was certain that his exhortation did not come from deceit or error. Here was a man certain of what he believed and why he believed it. There is great danger when a man begins to preach without being certain of the source of his convictions.
Paul is not a crowd-pleaser but a God-pleaser. When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he didn’t flatter them, didn’t seek their praise and didn’t become a burden to them. He & Silas completely focused their efforts on presenting God’s message of salvation to the Thessalonians.
3) Gentleness & Love. V 7-8
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Gentleness is love in action – being considerate, meeting the needs of others, allowing time for the other person to talk and being willing to learn. It is an essential for both men & women. Maintain a gentle attitude in your relationships with others.
Paul used a family metaphor to identify the two key characteristics of an effective mentoring relationship: (1) a loving mother (“nurse”) and (2) a hardworking father. The Biblical language of verse 7 illustrates the gentle love of nursing mother. There is something very warm and tender about a mother’s love for her children. Just as mothers are absolutely indispensable to the growth and development of children, spiritual mentors are essential for the spiritual maturity of their students.
4) Giving of Self or Self Sacrificing. V 9
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
Why did the preaching of Paul and his companions have a great impact on so many towns? It may well have been the fact that Paul, Silas and Timothy offered more than the gospel - they offered themselves. If we would make those whom we seek to teach "dear to us" we would probably be more effective in our presentation. Preaching the gospel can never become simply a profession; it must be our very life itself. Our attitude must be: "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls" (2 Cor. 12:15).
5) Blameless in conduct. V 10
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
Paul, Silas and Timothy may not have met with great success everywhere they preached, but their work was never destroyed by their own wickedness. Right or wrong, people always judge the conduct of preachers more strictly and we need to be careful lest we destroy the effectiveness of our preaching by careless conduct. (Parents should also take a lesson from Paul and realize that they cannot teach their children to do things that they themselves are unwilling to do.)
6) Parental care & training. V 11-12
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful or fatal. In the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the gospel.
By his words and example, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to live in such a way that would be worthy of God.
CONCLUSION:
Always remember that we are mentors in everything we do. By modeling Christian behavior we are mentoring and leading others toward a path with Christ.
Is there anything about your daily life that would embarrass GOD?
What do people think of GOD from watching you?
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