Intentional Mentorship

Outside of the Cave Church in Antioch, in modern-day Turkey. 

Scripture:

Acts 11:²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”

Observation:

Barnabas was in the city of Antioch where his ministry continued to grow and develop. He realized that he needed assistance in this work and so, we can imagine that he began to pray and ask for God’s direction. Who came to his mind, but Saul. These two had become acquainted soon after Saul’s conversion and Barnabas had introduced him to the leadership in Jerusalem. The situation in Jerusalem was too volatile for Saul, now Paul, and so it’s believed that he was sent to his home region of Tarsus for his own safety where he continued ministering in the name of Jesus Christ. He was probably not accepted by his own family or welcomed into his own home. We assume this because the language used in the passage that says that Barnabas’ search entailed some difficulty.  

Barnabas saw potential in Paul that others did not and was willing to bring him into the center of his ministry. Paul had great credentials as a zealous individual, a rabbi, who was very well educated. Finally finding him in the region of Tarsus, Barnabas brought him back to Antioch where they two of them became partners in the ministry and had the opportunity to teach a “great many people.” This is the very town where those on the outside began to call these followers of Christ, “Christians.” This was probably not a term of endearment, but of derision, but transformed through the centuries the name has stood the test of time.  

Application:

Having our eyes opened to those whom we can mentor or bring alongside in the activities of life is vital. Far too often we are hindered when we think that finding help reflects on some kind of weakness that we may have. It is not a weakness to recognize our own weaknesses. We are better together, and that’s the beauty of mentoring and raising up the next generation of leaders. Paul needed the door opened for him by Barnabas. The student would eventually surpass the one who had mentored him, but I don’t think that was a problem for Barnabas. This includes the moment in time when they had a disagreement over the mentorship of another young leader, Mark. Paul may not have had a patient temperament nor extended the same grace he had been shown. However, in the long run, I think he did learn some lessons from Barnabas and Paul poured into Silas. Ultimately, I think Barnabas was proud of his student, fellow-minister, partner and leader in the work. 

With Barnabas as our model, we must be willing to admit that we could use help, but that’s just the first step. I find one of our greatest failures is in bringing people around us who may be more skilled than we are! Often our egos struggle with thinking that someone else may be able to do our work better than we can. Sharing the limelight, or even giving the platform over to others can be a real struggle. But how are others supposed to develop if they are not given the opportunity? Paul needed experience and exposure, both of which Barnabas was willing to share with him. Ultimately, because of Barnabas’ humility, Paul exceeded his teacher in the work and ministry. 

It would be helpful for all of those who are walking in the faith to find someone to share that journey with them. Hopefully, it would be someone younger, and that might have much greater skill and ability to make a difference that you might have. Then, we are invited to sit back, let them take the stage of life and thrive. What joy we receive when we pour into others without allowing our own egos to bruised. 

Great joy is found in the intentional life of mentorship. It’s not something formal, but a relationship that develops through shared work. Then, the moment must come when we hand over the baton and cheer the next generation on in service to God. 

Prayer:

Lord, may my ego never get in the way of intentional mentorship. I thank you for those who have been willing to pour into my life. Amen.