Learn From Gideon, 41

~ Mentor Others ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth and interrogated him; and he wrote down for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, 77 men.  Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, ‘Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you ridiculed me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?”’  And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth” (Judges 8:14-16).   

Learn From Gideon  ~  Gideon was a leader in the true sense of the term.

1. Gideon was a great warrior for God.
2. Gideon followed his superior’s direction.
3. Gideon did not let up as the war raged.
4. Gideon did not rest while the battle continued to rage.
5. And now we find that Gideon mentored others—another mark of a true leader.  Gideon “took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.”

Challenge For Us  ~  Are you hoarding the knowledge and skills God has given you?  Are you teaching others successful ways of accomplishing God’s work in God’s way?

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

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(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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David, 2of6

~ David Had a Mentor ~

This post is based upon 2 Samuel 12:1-15. 

Nathan Was David’s God-Given Mentor  ~  As a God sent mentor Nathan confronted David regarding his sin.  “Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!  Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.  …  Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?  You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.  Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” …  So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord’” (2 Samuel 12:7, 9-10, 13).

There are some practical lessons regarding mentoring in this passage.

Nathan Targeted Three Areas  ~  Notice Nathan’s mentoring skills.  He informed David’s intellect (verses 1-6), his conscience (verses 7-12), and involved David’s emotions (13-14). 

Nathan Appealed Three Ways  ~  Notice Nathan’s practical techniques.  He reminded David (verses 7-8), he an analyzed the situation (verse 9a), and he was very specific naming him (verse 9b). 

Additional Comment  ~  David is one of the true heroes in the Word of God yet God knew he required a mentor.  Christianity is not a “Lone Ranger” faith.  We need (require) the fellowship of other Christians.  “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).

Practical Action Steps  ~  First, if you do not currently have a spiritual mentor seek out a more mature Christian to mentor you.  Second, if you are not currently mentoring someone else ask the Lord to provide the opportunity for you to come along side another—and then be on the lookout for who God sends your way. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .