Information about mentoring is unlimited. Several approaches to mentoring indicate a number of options available for consideration.

For the next few weeks, we want to explore several areas related to the concept of mentoring and how Christians can use mentoring to achieve the second half of the Great Commission; “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Mentoring involves an experienced and trusted advisor who trains and counsels someone else. The mentoring relationship may extend any where from a few days to a few years depending on the nature and purpose of the relationship.

As a spiritual influence in the lives of others, we all want to pursue ways we can mentor someone in developing maturity in their faith.

The approach to mentoring we will examine in the weeks ahead will be based on ways Jesus mentored the disciples.

As we explore these areas, please examine ways to get involved in mentoring others, but also seek out someone who can be a mentor.

Before we begin to dig deeper next week, pray about someone who can be a mentor and pray for someone to mentor.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” Nido Qubein

Where have we been? Where are we now? Where do we want to go?

Evaluating the answers to these questions is invaluable in determining the thought of the day.

Our present circumstances will have a bearing on where we go, but only if we look at them as a place to start.

Our choices from yesterday determine what we live with today. The choices we make today determine the consequences we must live with tomorrow.

As we consider our present circumstances, we must make a choice, but make the choice with an understanding of the impact on tomorrow. This is the starting point for what could make all the difference in how we move into the future and prepare for a greater life, physically and spiritually.

This decision will also influence our leading others to do the same, as they must make the same choice.

Time is the most valuable commodity any person is given. The interesting fact about time is that we all have exactly the same amount of time each day. How we use the time we have is what makes the difference in leadership.

When Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus, he pointed out the need for these Christians to walk wisely making the most of their time (Ep. 5:15-16).

How can we approach the wise use of our time in daily practice?

Sit down and list the amount of time spent on every activity for one week. Contrast the activities that are spent with a self-centered focus, others-directed focus, and spiritual focus.

Take a moment to ask an important question: why? Why do we spend time in areas more self-centered and not others-directed? Why do we miss opportunities to spend time spiritually focused?

Check the balance of time spent in work with family. Is there a proper balance?

A few simple questions, a little evaluation, and refocusing our direction helps in using our time wisely.

“Do as I say, not as I do.” Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy of saying things and not doing them.

Hypocrisy in the home exists when parents tell their children to live a certain way, yet not living by the same standard themselves.

This is not to say that parents need to be perfect, regardless of the standard under consideration. However, there needs to be consistency.

Children already push the limits as close to the line as possible and measure every action by the consistency of parental guidance.

As challenging as parenting is for anyone, the best place to lead our children in establishing a standard to guide their lives throughout life is found in the home. Here is where the foundation must be laid.

We must develop a consistency in approaching how the standard is lived in the home.

When we fail to live up to the standard: admit it, apologize, and make restitution. Do not excuse it, ever!

Seek ways to help our children understand the purpose behind the standard.

This kind of example strengthens the development of our leadership in the home.

Playoff season is upon us. Fans from both teams headed to the Super Bowl are eagerly anticipating the big event this Sunday.

Since the season began, every NFL team in the nation has been training, studying highlights of previous games, scouting other teams, and focusing on reaching this point. The largest game of the year occurs this Sunday evening and one team will be crowned “champion.”

The amount of effort given and money spent to begin and finish a champion at the Super Bowl is beyond the understanding of most of us. The influence of true champions, however, will not be seen Sunday evening, or in the victory achieved with a touchdown.

True champions are formed through the acts of kindness, grace, and love demonstrated in providing for those in need. A bed, a home-cooked meal, a drink of water, a smile, a word of encouragement, a helping hand, are all key components to being a champion.

It is true that our influence as leaders provides an opportunity to be a champion in the eyes of others. What kind of champion describes how we want to be remembered?

One of the greatest challenges to every leader involves making decisions. When leaders are indecisive followers call leadership into question.

Leaders need to know the causes of indecisiveness to overcome the challenges it brings.

Fear: fear of making the wrong decision, fear of the unknown and fear of failure are leading causes of indecisiveness.

Trust: leaders who lack trust in their own abilities and the abilities of others are often uncertain or debilitated in making decisions.

Procrastination: the mindset of “why do today, what you can put off until tomorrow” leads to indecisiveness because there is no apparent urgency in making a decision.

Remember, decisions must be made, and our fear, lack of trust, or the tendency to procrastinate will not change the necessity of making a decision.

What can be done to help leaders overcome the challenges of indecisiveness?

Take time to do some research and gather all the facts to make an informed decision.

Make a list of pros and cons for each decision and pray about it.

Trust the instincts.

Establish a backup plan as a precaution.

Make the decision.

“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

What is it we are passionate about? Are there areas we cannot stop doing, regardless of the consequences? Do we find ourselves involved in certain activities for hours without any thought to the time? What is the driving force in our lives?

When we understand the answers, we know what breathes life and purpose into our existence.

The spiritual matters of the kingdom must be the foundation for this passion. When seeking the kingdom of God is a priority, when reaching out to the lost is the purpose of each breath, when worship of our God and Savior is at the heart of our activity, and when a love for understanding the truth drives us deeper into His word, we are setting in place the building blocks of passionate leadership.

Take a few moments and pray that God will help us use these four areas as the basis for being alive. The world will naturally see the results.

One post, or even a series of posts, would never suffice to cover the details involved in God’s mission.

Yet, there is nothing, as it relates to leadership, of more importance than God’s mission.

From Genesis through Revelation, God has guided, directed, moved, ushered, and advanced His will through individuals and nations to ultimately provide an avenue to reconcile all of humanity to Himself through Jesus.

The lessons presented throughout the Bible help us understand a direction for leading God’s people today based on the divine principles practiced throughout this history.

Humility, courage, trust, and service are all characteristics found in leaders through whom God displayed His power, wisdom and presence.

The key is seeing where God’s mission is at work today and participating with what He is already doing. The fact that we are fellow workers with God emphasizes a beautiful relationship.

Leaders need to be active in pursuing the work God is involved in and participate in the activity that honors and glorifies Him.

Success is the result of fulfilling God’s will on earth. Let us live to carry out His mission.

“What parents excuse in moderation, children will abuse in excess.” The home is the place where leadership begins.

The hearts and minds of our children are sculpted from a very young age. Our influence is far greater than we can imagine, until we begin to see and hear the expressions of our influence in the lives of our children.

Because this is true, as parents, we need to give serious consideration to the words and activities expressed in our own lives.

This post is not for the purpose of proclaiming what is right or wrong. Rather, the purpose is to share a perspective of an individual who has seen it in his own children and now observing it through them in his grandchildren.

We need to set the kind of standards within our home we are comfortable with seeing our children live out in excess. We face enough challenges in battling the worldly influence surrounding us. Why take chances on setting an example that questions the biblical precedence of a godly man or woman?

The type of movies we watch, use of alcohol, language expressed, activities we participate in, and a hundred more. Use the home as a refuge that is sanctified by the teachings of God’s word.

Leadership is about people; not just any people, but people searching for a promise from our heavenly Father.

People consist of young and old, male and female. They are tall and short, large and small, and everywhere in between.

People come from different racial, educational, emotional, religious, and financial backgrounds.

These backgrounds contribute to the thought processes determining their words and actions. Even when people live within the same neighborhood, there are differences among them.

The task before all leaders involves determining how to influence people. The results are physical and spiritual in nature.

Physically, leaders desire to provide the help people need to endure the difficulties brought on by the daily challenges of life.

Spiritually, leaders focus their priorities on laying a godly foundation to influence people with the goal of reaching heaven.

What determines the direction people follow depends on the ability of leaders to provide a combination of both physical and spiritual. Remember, there are times the spiritual need cannot be met until the physical. We find a great biblical pattern to follow in Jesus.