Mentorship, One Step at a Time (by Cathe Laurie)

“Walk with the wise and become wise” (Proverbs 13:20 NLT).

On my walks or hikes with friends, there’s an unspoken pattern. I don’t know if it’s ever even been addressed or if it’s just an innate instinct, but it happens like this: If someone comes across an obstacle in the road—a low-hanging branch or a large rock in the path—a warning is shouted back to the entire group.

“Watch out for that rock!”

“Watch your head!”

“Careful along this section—it’s slippery!”

We all want to help others. We warn them of obstacles we’ve encountered. We want them to be safe, move easily and find steady footing without incident.

That, in the base sense, is what mentorship is all about.

The Biblical View on Mentorship

Did you know Scripture doesn’t actually use the word mentor. The Bible uses other terms: discipleship, modeling, entrusting. Paul doesn’t say, “Let’s schedule a monthly coffee and call it accountability.” He says, “Follow me as I follow Christ” (see 1 Corinthians 11:1).

It’s walking just a few steps ahead of another, occasionally glancing back to make sure the other person hasn’t tripped over the same rock we did. It’s showing them the path but knowing that we’re both journeying together. It’s a high bar but a humble one. It takes the pressure off of us and puts the focus on Jesus instead.

Biblical Models of Mentorship

Just look at the pairs that God gives us as examples:

Moses and Joshua: one generation preparing the next to step into the land they themselves would only see from a distance.

Elijah and Elisha: one prophet training another so closely that when the mantle fell, Elisha didn’t hesitate to pick it up.

Naomi and Ruth: a mother offering her daughter-in-law guidance in the middle of grief and uncertainty.

What’s Required of a Christian Mentor?

These relationships weren’t polished and perfect. They were real. They included correction, fatigue, questions, and the occasional “Are we there yet?” moment.

Here’s the secret: We don’t have to have it all together to be useful in someone else’s life. And, likewise, we don’t have to be the one who’s “more experienced” to make an impact.

Proverbs says that when we walk with the wise, we become wise (see Proverbs 13:20). The sharpening goes both directions.

Yes, a Mentor Can Learn From Their Mentee

Mentees learn from their mentors’ experiences, but mentors also learn from their mentees’ perspectives: fresh eyes on old truths, renewed hunger, and a reminder that faith is still worth passing on.

This is the life Jesus intends for us to always live. We never finish being a learner and we never stop impacting those in our lives with what we have learned!

So, keep walking with the wise. Keep inviting someone to walk a little closer. Keep passing on what you’ve received. Keep warning others of the obstacles ahead. And when it feels ordinary—because a lot of mentoring is just showing up consistently—remember: Ordinary faithfulness is how the Kingdom advances, one relationship at a time.

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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.