Who are the people who have helped to make you who you are today? I’m talking about those individuals who have left their finger print on your life. The ones who, at a critical moment, redirected your path such that today you look back and say, “I never would have become who I am were it not for that person’s influence.”  Is it an author, a church leader, a cherished friend?  Go ahead…make a list.  My guess is, your list will be pretty long list. 
1.	Greg Rosser
2.	Mike Percell
3.	Bobby Huffaker
4.	John Kohr
5.	Newell Smith
6.	B.W. Hambrick
7.	Mark Prugh
8.	Dave Bennit
9.	Brian Wilson
10.	Jerry Porter
11.	Bill Wiesman
12.	David Busic
13.	James Emory White
14.	N.T. Wright
I’m guessing most of you would top your list out at between fifty and seventy people.

Now I want to ask you another question.  Who do you know that can look inside you and find the person you long to be, and then help to bring that person to life? Who is it that has been where you want to be and knows how to help you get there?  The Bible is filled examples. In fact, mentoring was a way of life in Bible times. It was the way of handing down skills and wisdom from one generation to the next.

Moses prepared Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Samuel prepared Saul to be king and chastised him when he rebelled against God. Elijah enlisted and prepared Elisha to be his successor. Priscilla & Aquila tutored Apollos who later became a powerful spokesman for the Gospel. Paul took Timothy with him on a missionary journey.  And, Timothy eventually became the pastor at Ephesus.

Gary is one of the unsung heroes of my life.  I met him back in 1986 when we pastored churches just a few miles apart.   Later Gary became the pastor of a struggling church in southern Ohio.  He pastored that church for well over a dozen or more years and saw it grow into a healthy and thriving congregation.  Several leaders came out of the Wheelersburg church.  Many of whom went on to revitalize or plant numerous churches in the Ohio River Valley.

The last time we were together I asked Gary what his number one priority in ministry is.  He didn’t hesitate.  Cast vision and mentor five men.  Early each morning Gary meets with one of these five men who have made three basic commitments.  They commit to spiritual formation and intimacy with God through a consistent devotional life.  They commit to a life of good stewardship—which includes the giving of their tithes to the local church.  And they commit to being actively engaged in ministry in the local church.  He also asks that each of these five men make a commitment to mentor five other men.  If you do the math, you can see the genius behind it.  It fact it almost sounds biblical.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up”.

I wonder what would happen if you were to find a person who can mentor you. Through thoughtful and prayerful consideration choose someone who has been where you want to be and knows how to help you get there.  Be bold.  Ask right out, “I’d like you to be my mentor.  Can we meet together for a periodically?  I’m really interested learning more about.…” And be specific about where you want your conversation to go.

And even better, are there people you can pour your life into through a mentoring relationship?  Individuals who share similar goals and who are actively seeking ways to grow in a particular area their lives?  Who will not hesitate to take a risk and be responsible? 

Now, keep in mind that being a mentor may include discipleship, but it goes much further.  It may include best principles and practices, connections, and other tools to prepare someone and help them avoid certain stumbling blocks along the way. 

Next week I’m going to meet with my friend Dennis.  Dennis has several years of experience launching small groups here in Palm Beach County and beyond.  These are groups of professional men who are living out their Christianity in the market place.  I have a lot to learn.  And I’m anxious to sharpen my skills.  I believe our times together will be an iron sharpens iron experience.