Mentorship, Biblical Parenting, and Raising the Next Generation for Christ

Have you ever watched a relay race?

The runners don’t just focus on speed—they focus on passing the baton.

Because no matter how fast one person runs, if the baton drops, the race is lost.

This is exactly what mentorship and discipleship are about.

Christianity isn’t just about what you know or how much you grow—it’s about what you pass on to others.

So, let’s ask the hard question:

Are you stewarding your influence well? Or are you dropping the baton?

Because when it comes to discipleship, mentorship, and raising godly children…

What you fail to pass down may be lost forever.

1. Mentorship Is a Command, Not an Option

Many people think mentorship is for pastors, theologians, or professional counselors.

Wrong.

Mentorship is not a suggestion—it’s a biblical command.

Jesus said:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This isn’t just about evangelism—it’s about discipleship.

And discipleship isn’t just about teaching what to believe—it’s about guiding people in how to live.

Biblical Examples of Mentorship

✔ Moses mentored Joshua – He didn’t just lead Israel; he trained Joshua to take over (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).
✔ Elijah mentored Elisha – Before Elijah was taken up, Elisha had received his spiritual mantle (2 Kings 2:9-14).
✔ Jesus mentored the Twelve – He didn’t just preach sermons—He walked with His disciples daily.
✔ Paul mentored Timothy and Titus – They became strong leaders because of Paul’s investment in them.

Christian growth isn’t just about personal development—it’s about pouring into others.

And if we’re not mentoring, we’re breaking the chain of discipleship.

2. The Dos and Don’ts of Mentorship

Not every mentor is a good one.

And not every mentoring relationship is healthy.

Let’s get practical:

✔ DOs of Mentorship

✅ Lead by Example – People learn by watching more than by listening (1 Corinthians 11:1).
✅ Be Available – A mentor that’s too busy to guide is just a title without impact.
✅ Speak Truth in Love – Correction should build up, not destroy (Ephesians 4:15).
✅ Encourage Growth – A good mentor pushes people to think, question, and mature.
✅ Pray for and with Them – Jesus constantly prayed for His disciples (Luke 22:32).

❌ DON’Ts of Mentorship

🚫 Don’t Play the Hero – You’re a mentor, not a savior. Point them to Jesus.
🚫 Don’t Micromanage – You’re a guide, not a dictator. Let them grow.
🚫 Don’t Gossip About Them – A mentor who breaks trust loses influence.
🚫 Don’t Force It – Not every mentoring relationship is meant to last forever.
🚫 Don’t Expect Perfection – People make mistakes. Be patient.

Mentorship done well changes lives.
Mentorship done wrong damages destinies.

So… are you mentoring well?

3. Stewarding the Next Generation (Biblical Parenting & Spiritual Influence)

Raising godly children isn’t just biological parenting—it’s spiritual stewardship.

Because the next generation will not follow Christ by accident.

If we don’t intentionally invest in them, they will be discipled by:
❌ Social media
❌ Culture
❌ Entertainment
❌ Peers who don’t know God

Biblical Parenting & Mentorship Principles

✔ Teach Them the Word Early – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
✔ Show, Don’t Just Tell – Your example matters more than your instructions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
✔ Correct with Love, Not Fear – Discipline should guide, not traumatize (Ephesians 6:4).
✔ Encourage Questions – Kids who aren’t allowed to ask questions will seek answers elsewhere.
✔ Let Them See Your Walk with God – Authenticity is more powerful than lectures.

If we don’t disciple the next generation, the world will.

4. Passing the Baton Without Dropping It

The greatest failure of any generation is not passing on what they received.

A perfect example?

The generation after Joshua:

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10)

How did that happen?

Because someone dropped the baton.

✔ They fought battles but didn’t pass on the faith.
✔ They built cities but didn’t build disciples.
✔ They won victories but failed in mentorship.

If we’re not careful, this can happen again.

And the solution? Intentional discipleship.

Final Thought: Who Are You Investing In?

Christianity is a relay race, not a solo sprint.

If all we do is grow spiritually but never help others grow, we have failed.

So, let’s reflect:

Who is mentoring you?
Who are you mentoring?
Are you passing the baton, or are you dropping it?

Because what you fail to pass down might be lost forever.

Stewardship of Authority and Influence

Let’s be honest. Not everyone in a leadership position is actually a leader.

Some people are just… in charge.

The boss who loves the title but not the responsibility.
The church leader who demands respect but refuses to serve.
The government official who enjoys the benefits but ignores the people.

We’ve all seen it.
Maybe, at times, we’ve even been it.

But true leadership is not about control—it’s about stewardship.

God doesn’t just give influence for personal gain. He gives it for impact.

So, are you a leader, or are you just in charge?

Let’s break it down.

1. Leadership Is a Calling, Not a Status

Many people see leadership as a promotion, a reward, or a sign of importance.

But in the Bible, leadership is a calling—and it comes with weighty responsibility.

Biblical Examples of Leadership as Stewardship

✔ Moses didn’t apply for the job—he was called to lead Israel, despite his weaknesses (Exodus 3:11-12).
✔ David was a shepherd before he was a king. God trained him to lead by teaching him to care for sheep (1 Samuel 16:11-13).
✔ Jesus—the ultimate leader—served instead of demanding service (Matthew 20:28).

Leadership is never about status—it’s always about service.

2. Being in Charge vs. Being a Leader

Here’s the difference between real leaders and those who are just in charge:

Those Who Are Just in Charge	True Leaders
Love titles and positions	Love people and purpose
Demand respect and obedience	Earn trust through service
Avoid accountability	Accept responsibility
Make themselves comfortable	Make others better
Use authority to control	Use authority to empower

Being in charge is about power.
Being a leader is about responsibility.

3. The Danger of Misusing Influence

Many people step into leadership but fail the test of stewardship.

Power exposes character.

Pharaoh used his power to oppress Israel.
Saul used his position to hunt David out of jealousy.
The Pharisees used religion to burden people instead of helping them.

Modern-Day Examples

The church leader who uses authority to silence questions instead of guiding people.
The boss who micro-manages everything instead of trusting the team.
The politician who forgets the people once elected.

God doesn’t just judge what we do with leadership—He judges how we do it.

4. Stewarding Authority the Right Way

If God has given you influence, you have a divine responsibility to:

✔ Lead with humility – Pride destroys leadership. Humility sustains it (Proverbs 11:2).
✔ Seek wisdom – Leadership without wisdom is dangerous (Proverbs 4:7).
✔ Be accountable – Every leader needs someone who can correct them (Proverbs 27:17).
✔ Empower others – The best leaders raise more leaders.
✔ Serve first – “Whoever wants to be great must be a servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

Great leaders don’t cling to power—they release it for impact.

5. Are You Leading Well? (Self-Check)

Ask yourself:

Do I care more about the title than the people?
Do I use my authority to control or to empower?
Am I accountable to anyone?
If I lost my position today, would I still serve?
Would God say I’m stewarding leadership well?

If leadership is about service, impact, and responsibility—then many people aren’t leading.
They’re just… in charge.

Which one are you?

Final Thought

Leadership is a gift from God—but it’s also a test.

✔ How you lead determines whether God can trust you with more.
✔ The best leaders aren’t obsessed with power—they’re obsessed with purpose.
✔ If you don’t lead well, God can take the influence away (Luke 16:10).

So, are you a leader, or just in charge?

The way you serve, empower, and steward your influence will answer that question.

Tag: stewardship of influence

Discipleship Is Stewardship: Are You Passing the Baton?