"Teach Me, Father"

Most people would agree that one of the greatest ways to grow in any endeavor is by having a committed mentor. But let’s deal with reality. Very few people are so committed to discipling others that they are willing to enter into a mentoring relationship. Frankly, most people don’t have the time. Yet, the number one regret I hear from younger people, especially men, is that no one from the more-seasoned generation is willing to mentor them.

Most people partly fill this need through friendships, i.e., peer relationship. Group provides the structure required to take something that every one of us knows we desperately need and make it more intentional. Furthermore, I want to drop a plug in here for multi-generational groups. When the generations mix, it’s a beautiful thing! The more mature generation lends wisdom and prudence to the younger generation. They represent the “fathers” of the faith, people who have traveled the road of faithfulness and know the hazards along the path. What a blessing they are to the next generation. But the fathers also have something to gain from intergenerational relationships. They get to be fully-engaged in the battle with the powers of darkness. You see, a few decades earlier, they were on the front lines of the battle for the Kingdom of God. But now, they often feel as though the church has “outgrown” them and it’s not their church anymore. However, when they find a place where they can fill the God-designated role for them in His church, they once again feel as though they are contributing vitally to God’s work of redemption in the world.

Don’t have time to mentor? Get in a multi-generational group where you can pour into the life of the next generation. Need a mentor? Need peer relationships? Get into a multi-generational group where you will be exposed to both those who have incredible wisdom to share with the next generation and those alongside of whom you will be battling the forces of the evil one.