This Week’s
Notes
Mentoring Faith Development
Session Description
There’s more to developing faith than listening to
sermons and reading a book. And though there’s been a lot of talk about
mentoring for spiritual development, there’s a paucity of how-to information.
In this episode, Drs. Bill and Kris tackle the tough task of helping faith take
root and bloom.
Session Outline
By and large, many (if not most) church members are
unsatisfied with the depth of their spirituality – they’ve “stalled”
(according to the Reveal study by Willow Creek Association
- But
there is no easy solution … no magic pill - Willow
Creek concluded that spiritually hungry people “need to feed
themselves” - But
that’s the very issue … this suggests that spiritually hungry people can
“feed themselves”
But faith development is not a solo journey – it
virtually never happens alone
Developing faith is not just learning “about”
Jesus, God, theology, spiritual disciplines, etc.
How can you measure if faith is developing?
- Changes
in behavior - Changes
in worldview - Changes
in thoughts
Faith development comes only through practice … the
doing, not just the learning
Mentoring Faith Development
- Start
with the mentors (i.e., start with yourself) - Every
mentor needs (1) a mentor; and (2) an mentee
Step 1
- There
must be a willingness to submit - Submit
≠ doormat or unthinking puppet - Submit
= willing to be led (to be teachable and coachable)
Step 2
- There
must be a willingness to practice - Practice
= doing something over and over – get the spiritual muscles in shape
Step 3
- There
must be a mentor - Best
mentor is someone mentee respects - Children
and youth: The next age group - Adults:
Someone with demonstrated fruit and perceived wisdom
Step 4
- There
must be a plan (something to practice) - Can
be formal or informal
The Five Core Personal Faith Development Practices
- Scripture
Reading and Reflection - Prayer:
both talking and listening - Encouraging
One Another - Intentional
Serving in Jesus’ Name - Faith
Sharing
Practical Faith Application
- Adopting
and asking behavioral accountability questions - Neil
Cole. Cultivating a Life for God - Bill
Tenny-Brittian. High-Voltage Spirituality
Formal Mentoring Process
- Intentional
and regular time together - Life
sharing - Accountability
- Skill
introduction (when needed) - Set
appointment - Practice
Informal Mentoring Process
In passing, in a small group, one-on-one, etc. ask one of
the five
Discipleship Development Questions:
- What have you read in scripture this
week that intrigued you? - What have you heard from God in your
quiet time this week – and what are you going to do about it? - Who have you encouraged in the faith
this week? - Whose life did you touch in Jesus’ name
this week? - How have you shared your faith this week
and what was the result?
Discussion Questions
- Are you satisfied with your spiritual
life? Why or why not? - What have you done to try and deepen
your spiritual life? Has it been successful? - How could a spirituality mentor (or
partner or friend) be helpful in faith development? - Which of the Discipleship Development
Questions do you most need to hear each week?
