Mentoring and coaching both play important roles in helping young people grow, but I think mentoring, especially the way Jesus did it, really shows us the heart of how we can support the next generation. Jesus set the perfect example of what real mentoring looks like through His relationship with His disciples, and I believe this model can guide us as we mentor young people today.
Mentoring vs. Coaching
Back in January 2024, I reached out to a secondary school with a program designed to help students who were struggling to stay engaged in class. I suggested using a mentoring model, which we called ‘STAG Mentoring,’ to give students one-on-one support. Why mentoring instead of coaching? Well, mentoring is more about building relationships and focusing on long-term growth, while coaching is often more goal-driven and happens in bigger groups. Coaching tends to be about quick results, while mentoring is about lasting change.
Jesus as a Mentor to His Disciples
As someone who follows Jesus, I always turn to Him for wisdom when thinking about how to support young people. When I look at how Jesus mentored His disciples, I see three important things:
- Personal Investment: Jesus didn’t just give instructions from a distance. He lived with His disciples—eating, resting, and walking alongside them. He taught them through both His words and His actions. (Check out verses like Luke 24:30-31, Matthew 26:26-29, and Mark 4:38 for examples!)
- Transformational Guidance: Jesus wasn’t just teaching His disciples how to perform miracles or preach better. He was focused on changing their hearts and minds, calling them to become more like Him. His mentorship was about spiritual and personal growth, not just skills. (Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 9:23-24, and John 15:1-5 show this clearly.)
- Relational Accountability: Jesus didn’t offer quick fixes. He spent three years with His disciples, helping them grow by teaching, rebuking, and challenging them. Real change takes time, and that’s something we’ve had to learn in mentoring too. In a school setting, where everything is structured around deadlines and progress reports, it can be tough to get people to understand that real character transformation doesn’t fit neatly into a schedule. (Check out Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 17:14-17, and Luke 9:54-55 for examples of tough love Jesus showed His disciples!)
Mentoring in Action
A mentor who follows Jesus listens well, supports unconditionally, and speaks truth with love. That’s the kind of environment we try to create in STAG Mentoring. And it’s been amazing to see how this approach has worked. Here are a few things students have shared with us:
- Building Confidence and Self-Worth: One student said, “I feel more confident in myself.” Mentoring helps young people realise their potential and worth, just like Jesus empowered His disciples to step up and lead. Building that confidence is key for growth, both in faith and in character.
- Respecting Personal Boundaries: Another student shared, “I didn’t feel pressured to talk.” This shows how important it is to respect students’ boundaries, something Jesus was careful to do with His disciples. Real change happens when they feel safe to speak when they’re ready, not when they’re forced to.
- Being Seen and Valued: “I feel that I am finally being noticed.” That’s a powerful statement. Every young person wants to be seen and heard. A Christ-centered mentor, like Jesus, gives them the attention, care, and validation they need to feel truly valued.
Conclusion
In Luke 6:40, Jesus says, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” Mentoring is about shaping someone to be more like their mentor, but with STAG Mentoring, our goal is a little different. Since all of our mentors are chosen based on their relationship with Jesus, we believe that as they follow Jesus and reflect his likeness, the students they mentor will start reflecting Jesus too.
We’re all called to share the gospel in both what we say and what we do. So, what does that look like for you? How can you live out this mentoring model—showing Christ-like care and helping others grow in every part of who they are—body, mind, and spirit?
