MAN UP BIBLE SERIES IRON MAN 1 – A Call to Mentor Lesson Eight

The Real World A we continue this series on mentoring it is time to look at some strategies. This would be the agenda. Why you are meeting with a mentor and what you both expect from this relationship. This is so very important. You must know where you are going in order to know when you have arrived. There are several really good formal mentor programs out there in the world today. It is that important. Maybe your Corps is using one of these programs. Making no plans as you meet is a plan, :one for disaster.” Just hanging out is not what we are looking for. We want to meet with other men in order to grow into a better men. Accountability and growth are words we are looking at. The Navigators have the 2:7 Series which are ten lessons on being a mentor. Try using those as a start.

The Real Word Colossians 2 New International Version (NIV) 2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Spiritual Fullness in Christ 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces [a] of this world rather than on Christ.a 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh [b] was put off when you were circumcised by [c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.bc 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you [d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [e]de

Real Talk As you think about starting the mentoring process answer these questions: 1. What do I want? 2. What Price am I willing to pay? 3. How do I plan to accomplish my objectives? 4. How do I best learn?

Real Steps There are two kind of Mentoring Options: 1. Formal – Like the Navigators 2:7 Series. 2. Informal – Getting together for coffee. Doing a project together. Going to a game. There are two kind of goals: 1. Immediate – Help with Prayer Life Meet once a week to pray. 2. Long Term – Priorities change to make Prayer Time in schedule on your own. There are different expectations: 1. Too Much – Start where you are. Small adjustments over time. 2. Too Little - Just touching the surface. Dip down deep for change. Some Ways to Get started: 1. Go to his place. Work, Corps, Home. Go to him do not wait for him to find you. 2. Invite him to a fun activity. A ball game or to shoot hoops. 3. Help him out. Fix his fence. 4. Use a study guide. Nothing wrong with using some good teaching materials. 5. Ask for some advice on a big decision you are making. Everyone wants to help.

Time to Close They have invented a computer program that provides you a diagnosis for any sickness you may have. You go to the app and type in your symptoms and it will tell you what is wrong with you. The problem? It is not really interacting with you like your doctor. It takes in information and spits out a plan for you to get better. It always tells you that this is not a doctor and not a real diagnosis. Why? It is not talking with you. It does not hear the little tones in you voice. It is a program and we need people. This is what a mentor can provide to you that a book or computer program cannot. Real life is not fixed by pushing a button. It takes time and effort on both sides to find the solutions to life that result in positive change. Time to MAN UP!