Spiritual Mentoring: 30 + Helpful Ideas

What Is A Spiritual Mentor?

You might have heard the term spiritual mentor, but what is it? Spiritual mentoring a believer modeling the Christian lifestyle and helping a younger-in-their-faith-believer grow in Christ.

In this post, you’ll find 30+ ideas to help you mentor others. Or, use them as resources for yourself. Enjoy!

*This post may contain affiliate links.

Biblical Mentorship Examples

Take a look in the Bible, using a concordance if you’re unsure where these folks land in the Scriptures, to examine these biblical mentorship examples.

• Naomi & Ruth
• Moses & Joshua
• Eli & Samuel
• Mordecai & Esther
• Jesus & the Disciples

Iron sharpens iron;
so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

Prov. 27:17 WEB

Mentoring in the Church

Some churches have intentional programs for mentoring.

Others organize small groups that often emulate or spawn mentoring between women.

And then other times, it’s simply a met need, a leading by the Holy Spirit for a one-on-one mentoring relationship. (This is best, in my opinion.)

God led a woman named Barbara to mentor me for five-ish years. She continually pointed me toward Jesus in her actions and our conversations.

God used that relationship to help change my life. And goodness, I hope I’ve “paid it forward.”

Maybe mentoring has impacted you, too?

How Do You Biblically Mentor Someone?

Here are a few suggestions in your journey to biblically mentor.

• The Holy Spirit pours out His wisdom, so lean an ear toward and focus on Him. Let the Holy Spirit lead in relationships, including a biblical mentorship.
• Bathe that relationship in prayer.
• Reach out. Communicate. Listen to their needs and respond accordingly.
• Ask questions.
• Love well.

It doesn’t have to be stiff. Allow this organic relationship to grow for the duration God has in store.

Ideas for Spiritual Mentoring

Here are additional practical ideas to help you in the mentoring journey.

• Converse Often
• Walk Together
• Text Regularly
• Invite Her to Your Table
• Pray For and With Her
• Lead Her to the Bible (Hard Copy, Dwell The Bible App)
• Share Helpful Bible Verses
• Suggest or Buy Helpful Books

The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ’s Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children – eBook By Sally Clarkson / WaterBrook

Sally Clarkson offers many helpful resources. The Ministry of Motherhood is one.

Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus By Sarah Geringer / Leafwood Publishing

Appreciated this book from Sarah Geringer. Most women struggle with their thought life in one fashion or another.

Seated with Christ: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparision By Heather Holleman Many of us live half alive. We compare, compete, self-analyze, and self-promote in our endless, busy pursuit of perfection. Seated with Christ heralds a new kind of living. If it’s true what Scripture says, the we are treasured by God and given a place at his table, then all we need to do is to take our seats. Heather Holleman shows us how. Take your seat and live–simply, freely, fully–because of Jesus, for Jesus, and in the love of Jesus. Quit trying: be free.

Fantastic book by Heather Holleman. Hands down a read for virtually every female.

Bible Studies

• Others at Christianbook.com
• 5 Types of Bible Study for the Hungry Christian
• KristiWoods.net Bible Studies

Study Resources

• Online Bible Study Tools
• 10 Ways to Help You Hide God’s Word in Your Heart
• Bible Journal

Testimonies

• Near the bottom of this page.
• Books

Ministries

• Focus on the Family (Magazines are valuable, resources, and broadcasts on radio/podcast, too. The testimonies were a huge help to me in my early years.)
• Growing Home Together (Podcast/blog posts, resources)
• Family Life Today (Marriage retreat, resources, podcast)
• Proverbs 31 (daily email, podcast, & more)

Podcasts

• Faith Over Fear by Jennifer Slattery & Carol McCracken
• The Bible Recap with Tera-Leigh Cobble
• The Bible Project
• Intentional Living by Kristi Woods
• Find Other Mothering Podcasts Here
• Find Other Christian Podcasts Here

Gifts & Encouragement

• Note Cards (Check out the free stationery in the Subscriber Library)
• Scripture Notes
• Faith-oriented Jewelry
• Books
  Testimonies like Corrie ten Boom, David Wilkerson, or Loren Cunningham
  Gift Books & Other Christian Books
• Stream Music (instrumental worship music in the background does the heart good)
• Your Time

As You Set Out to Mentor

Spiritual mentoring can last for a snippet in time or for years. When my mentoring journey with Barbara was coming to a close, the Holy Spirit prepared me. I knew. But I didn’t say anything, because it made me nervous to think of my faith walk without her in this way.

Not long after, however, Barbara shared what I already knew. God had spoken to her, too.

However long your spiritual mentoring journey is, may Christ be central. May He be high and lifted up. Enjoy the walk, friend.