Is the word mentor or the concept of mentoring in the Bible?

[Maharg]

Recently, I keep coming across the word 'mentor', just in my day to day life, through watching TV, etc., etc. The meaning we tend to have for the word mentor now is someone who advises, counsels and teaches others.

The origin of the word mentor is from the name Mentor, (a character in Greek Mythology who advised/taught another) and its root is the Greek word 'men' which means 'to think'.

I was just wondering if the term 'mentoring' was in use in Biblical times and could be found in the New Testament - or whether any of the relationships described in the books of the Early Church could be defined as mentoring relationships. One example I have found is in Titus 2 v3-5 where older women are encouraged to guide younger women. I think one of the writers also suggests that his readers emulate him as he is emulating Christ (I cannot remember where that is but I think it was probably Paul). Could these relationships be seen as mentoring relationships?

Any thoughts, reflections or information about this would be very welcome.

Many thanks from an infrequent visitor to this sub-forum (who would like to frequent here more frequently!)

Maharg

 

[filosofer]

I suspect that discipleship would form the foundation of what is called mentoring. Although it is interesting that discipleship/discipling focuses on the one who is taught, whereas mentoring focuses on the one who mentors. "Therefore, as you are going mentor"? or "Therefore, as you are going disciple"?

In Christ's love,
filo

 

[Tertius]

II Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

[Maharg]

Thank you for the insights folks. I hadn't thought of mentoring as being linked to the whole idea of discipling.

Food for thought. Thank you.

Maharg

 

[daveleau]

Paul mentored Timothy. He knew him as a teenager, and mentored him throughout youth until Paul sent him out to minister and build congregations for Christ.

 

[plmarquette]

and there was one called Barnabus , which means encourager / edifier , one who builds up others morally and spiritually .... Rom 14.19 ;1 thes 5.11 ; Isaiah 41.6-7 ; acts 4.36

see 2 timothy 1.5-7 ... stir yourself up with songs , meditations , reading of God's word

the " hoary headed ones " , gray headed men & elder women who are your advisors Lev. 19.32 ; Prv. 16.31 ; titus 2.3-4

 

[12volt_man]

Both of my examples have already been posted, so I'll just say "yes".