The Battle for Man – Finale
by Garret Barbush | President & CEO
Jesus Christ mentored his disciples, shaping them into real men. They were men with backbone and strength of character, willing to die for something they believed in.1 These characteristics didn’t appear in these men by accident. They developed through an intentional relationship.
Reading through the Gospels gives us insight into the unique relationship Jesus had with the twelve men who followed Him. He challenged them from the start of his ministry to the very end. Even after His death, He reappeared to them and presented the greatest and most significant challenge—the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 – “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.’”
The word “make” implies building. It means to construct, to fabricate, to produce, or bring about. It presupposes that there are specific ingredients and a well-defined process.2 Jesus made 12 disciples and assigned them to a voyage to make more disciples. The expansion of the 1st century Church is mind- boggling, and it only happened because the disciples were accountable to Jesus, learning to balance the rhythms of life, and experiencing transforming spiritual growth. They followed Jesus’ model and pursued the voyage as a result of the intentional relationship He formed with each of them.
Effective mentorships are no different today. To experience accountability, balance, and spiritual growth, we need to clearly understand the voyage and have a precise model to follow. Our human nature fights against any type of structure that helps develop accountability, balance, and spiritual growth in our lives. In fact, the trait common to all humans is our desire or drive for instant gratification. We want as much as we can get, as fast as we can get it, with as little effort as possible. We all have a natural inclination to follow the path of least resistance.3
Pick a Fight! If you come into mentorship searching for instant gratification or to follow a path of least resistance, you have come to the wrong place. Following Jesus and accepting His challenge didn’t come easy for His disciples, and it won’t be easy for you. To get the greatest benefit from a mentorship, you will need to embrace accountability, balance, and spiritual growth by committing to a plan for growing in your faith, family, friends, fitness and finances.
- Lonnie Berger, Every Man a Warrior: Helping Men Succeed in Life, Book 1 – Walking With God (Every Man a Warrior, 2014), 17
- Lonnie Berger, Every Man a Warrior: Helping Men Succeed in Life, Book 1 – Walking With God (Every Man a Warrior, 2014), 17
- Steven K. Scott, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth and Happiness (New York: Vintage Books, 1990), 10