Mentoring: Seven Disciplines that Disciple Manhood

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Our first learning style is observation. Look at almost any baby. Long before we can talk, if we have sight, we observe to either mimic or avoid. The mentor or the disciple with disciples must be mindful that ‘seeing is not believing’ but what is projected ministers truth or error. Maturity begets maturity. Being mature or perfect will minister maturity or perfection to others. This scriptures state what the character of an older man or woman ought to be like to teach the younger man or woman. This is after hearing sound doctrine and the HOLY SPIRIT convicts unto remembrance and has Word to draw from.

1) Speak Sound Doctrine 

Let what you say carry weight – the weight of CHRIST’s easy yoke and light burden. Let them be healing, conspicuous, suitable and revelatory words…words that are becoming (Greek – preppo) or representative. Words of sound doctrine (Greek – hugiaino) align with the WORD of GOD…Period not periodically…they are wholesome, healthy and uncorrupt words of instruction aka doctrine (Greek – didaskalia)…we are admonished by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:16 to shun all profane and vain babblings. Why are you still cursing and laughing at cursing? Why are your words possessed by worldly possessions and passions? Let the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in HIS…GOD’s Sight…in GOD’s Omnispective and Omnipresence and Omnipotence and Immutability in light of the fact that we are to be light…not dark light. Say what HE means. Say words to edify…to reprove, rebuke and exort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2) Be Careful 

Taking responsibility and concern for the future ought not to be myopic and self-centered. Your conduct as an older and supposedly wiser man and mentor is valuable. The mentor here is told to be sober (Greek – nephalios), meaning circumspect and vigilant (uprightly cautious and watchful). A mentor is quick to listen and slow to speak. He or she examines themselves to assure alignment with GOD and carefully positions themselves under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY, so that his or her walk is beyond reproach. There is a clear differentiation between the practiced standards of GOD and the observed fallen natural standards of the cosmos or world. The result of diligent Bible study and HOLY SPIRIT advised discernment and observation is you become a viable source for wise counsel and trustworthy information.

3) Live Honorably 

Next, the mentor is grave (Greek - semnos), meaning honorable and honest. Your character, persona and reputation point to truth and the Biblical prototype of manhood – CHRIST. Others speak glowingly of you. You are deemed valuable not by self marketing but from the observations of others. You are honorable. The mentor is pro-truth whether it is for him/her or against him/her. Honesty is not optional; it is in your every exhale that forms words and the muscle twitch of every facial, hand and body gesture. It is your soul-set. Honesty is your intentional living. Some call it being real; however, very often what is deemed as real is an excuse for self-aggrandizement through being a mean, disrespectful and unnecessarily controversial devil’s advocate. Honesty has no ulterior motive

4) Exhibit Self Control 

Fourth, the disciple with disciples must be temporate (Greek – sophrone), meaning sound in mind and self controlled. The sound mind hears wise counsel and applies it. The sound mind is the balance of the soul. It is neither an opinion worshipper, nor a fear worshipper, nor a sentiment worshipper nor an emotion worshipper. It is balanced by the just weights of the LORD and casts aside all weights that beset. It operates in the freedom of truth, unfettered by bitterness and guilt and unbiased by politics and culture. The mentor has the mind set on CHRIST and the mindset of CHRIST. It is the SPIRIT led content and confident soul, where demonic insanity must flee. That mentor which is indwelled by the SPIRIT and purchased by CHRIST is sure of his eternal destiny and trust’s GOD’s Grace; hence, graciousness is his/her confident reflection, recollection, present thought-life and future plans.

5) Model Strong Faith 

Being sound in faith (Greek – pistis) is the next discipline to be displayed for discipleship-sake. Pistis implies a life consistent, persuasive and giving credence to the GOSPEL of JESUS the CHRIST. It is a reasoned trust exemplified in a life-expressed profession of faith in the eternal hope of glory based on the shed blood of CHRIST. A life lived in reliance on GOD in all aspects is vivid visual testimony. Soundness implies being unwavering and resilient, steadfast and persevering and Word-competent and Word oriented. Soundness in faith is consistently seeking to please GOD by letting HIM drive and trusting HIM.

6) Demonstrate Godly Love 

One of the most vital character-ministry disciplines a mentor should live out is love (Greek – agape) or charitable affection and benevolence. Consistent free-will decisions to love is teaches by inculcation.  It creates a new norm and expectancy. Living lovingly models CHRIST. It is seeking to benefit others at the expense of self for the expanse or growth of others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states it best:

1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Soundness in charity is unconditional love on display

7) Wait While Waiting Without the Weight 

Seventh and finally, patience (Greek – hupomone) is the virtuous display of waiting on the LORD and meeting people where they are. Encourage with expectation but do not burden with it. Conviction may sometimes come after trials. Do not rush what could take a lifetime to do. If you have sowed yourself into someone else be timely in teaching…be gradual with others until graduation. Do not feed until regurgitation but feed that which a healthy amount for growth. Wait for signs of budding long before you expect fruit and water accordingly. Season teaching with vocabulary, concepts and ideas based on GOD’s principles for your mentee to ruminate aka meditate on…and wait, just as GOD is waiting on you…

Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Because GOD is mature, we ought to be! Christ-likeness is manhood and maturity is actually to be godly. 


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Brother Jeremy A. Maynard