Issue #66 - October 2017

Mentoring is one of the key principles in a Christians life. This month, Debbie Turner shares her thoughts
on how it can be done effectively.

Debbie Turner
Debbie and her husband Darrie Turner have been missionaries in
Uganda for nearly 21 years.
They have 5 children (one went to be with the Lord, the rest are married
and living in the US) and 9 grandchildren.
She loves spending her time ministering to women from all walks of life
and sharing the word of God with them.
She feels a special burden to minister to young mothers so they can be
mothers who love and follow Christ.
1. Which relationship in your life do you recall as its not about making little Debbies; its about
having positively impacted you the most? encouraging people to be like Christ. Its not about me
teaching others my own philosophies or opinions,
There have been very many people but I can highlight
because apart from Christ those are futilethey dont
Elisabeth Elliot. The irony, though, is I dont actually
have any redemptive value. But if I point people to
know her very well. I have met her only twice but I used
to listen to her 15 minute radio program each day. As a Christ and His word and how to live out His word, that
young mother then, with all my five children, I loved has eternal value. My ideas, my opinions and I will be
the way she pointed me to Christ. Elisabeth taught me gone and forgotten, but Gods word will last forever.
that no matter what one is doingwhether changing Mentoring to me is like discipling someone for Christ.
diapers, or reading the Bible to your children-- if you Jesus said, go and make disciples teaching them to
are doing it to the Lord, its an act of worship. obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew
Elisabeth encouraged me as a mother to know that I 28:19-20)
was serving Christ as I was serving my children, my 3. What would be the best way to start an effective
husband and my family. I also read a lot of her books mentoring relationship?
which pointed me to Christ. They helped me find There needs to be a commitment on both sides to
strength to move on in the midst of difficulties and meet together. Also, there needs to be sacrifice on
suffering like when we lost our son, Jeremiah, when he both sides in terms of making time to meet regularly
was 21. One of her books on suffering helped me focus and being willing to listen to one another. Someone
on Christ and how to deal with loss and grief according may say they want to be mentored, but if they fail to
to Gods word and by the grace thats given through show up at the agreed time, you wonder if they are
the Holy Spirit. really serious. The mentor also needs to know Christ as
So, Elisabeths books, her radio program, and looking Lord and Saviour, know the word of God and have a
at her life were instrumental in encouraging me in the desire to share how God has helped him/her to live out
faith. Gods word in everyday life. I need to be able to say,
My husband, too, is my great mentor and friend. Follow me as I follow Christ.
2. In your opinion, whats the difference between The mentee must be willing to learn and do what the
mentoring, coaching and role modelling? mentor asks them to do. Many times I ask the ladies I
mentor to memorize Scripture, and not just one verse
All those can mean the same in the secular sense
but a whole portion like Matthew 6:25-34. Often, their
because they have to do with someone teaching and
first response is, Oh no! I cannot memorize that
modeling something they consider important for the
much. And I tell them, Yes, you can. Just memorize
other person to learn.
one verse at a time and keep adding one more to that
But for me, the main difference is whether they are little by little. When someone makes the effort and
used in the world or in sacrifice to memorize Scripture, that person is
the body of Christ. rewarded with godly thoughts, and Gods word
There are many ministers to them in their circumstances.
people in the world
The purpose of the mentoring relationship must be
who are mentoring or
understood by both the mentor and the mentee. I get
coaching or being a
my purpose for mentoring from Colossians 1:28, We
role model to some-
proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone
one for different
with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone
reasons. But as one
mature in Christ. Its not about knowing Debbie
who is a follower of
Turner more (though that will happen) but its
Christ, my mentoring
ultimately about knowing Christ more and becoming
needs to point to
more mature in Him in their practical lives as mothers,
Christ and His word. I
have nothing merely
in myself to give to The KEY RING is a monthly publication by the Kampala Baptist Church Media Team that seeks to provide an av-
others. I cannot say, enue where men and women can share knowledge and understanding of the word of God, experiences and
Be like me, unless I encourage one another as the older perform the act of paralambano to the younger.
Debbie with Madinah, her mentee am in Christ. Because Our prayer is that the Lord will speak to you through this publication.
Drop us an email at kbcmediateam@gmail.com Visit the church website at www.kbcuganda.org
Follow me as I follow
Christ
wives, daughters, etc.
As an older woman, I take seriously the mandate in
Titus 2:3-5 to train the younger women to love their
husbands, love their children, to be self-controlled,
pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject
to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not
be discredited. This gives me the curriculum for the
qualities that God sees as important in mentoring
women. This can be done in the context of my home or
as I visit their home. Its more about real life training
rather than lecturing in front of a blackboard.
Always teach what the word of God says about a
certain subject rather than just sharing your opinions,
philosophies, popular ideas and cultural views.
Take time to listen to the mentees to understand the
context of their lives, their background, their under-
standing of Gods word, etc. so you can know how to
mentor them better.
Allow the mentee time to ask questions that are on
their heart and show them how to find answers in the
word of God.
Where possible, the mentor should offer hospitality.
Talking over a cup of tea and a scone helps to break
down barriers and helps a mentee to feel more at
ease.
Mentors should live an exemplary life by the power of
Christ. Inviting your mentee into your home is a great
opportunity for them to see you role model for them
how they should relate to their husband or children or
how they should manage their homes, etc. Explain
how Gods grace and His Spirit have helped you live
out the word of Godeven how you failed when you
didnt live by His word.
Call your mentee and show concern for matters in
their lives.
Ask for prayer requests from your mentee, and
remember them in your prayers, and let them know
when you pray for them.
Mentoring should be male-to-male and female-to-
female in all purity. It involves sharing from the heart
which can get people emotionally involved/attached.
Meet regularly. It could be once a week or once a
month or whatever is needed.
Remember that all Scripture is inspired by God and
useful for teaching, correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the person of God may be
capable and equipped for every good work.
II Timothy 3:16and thats the goal of mentoring
someone for Christ.