Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:4-5 NIV

Why do I need to clean my room?  Why do I have to help my sister?  Why?  Why?  Why?

It’s a question my children often ask, but friend, if we’re honest I believe we can admit to wondering the same thing.  Knowing the reason they need to do something often motivates my children and it encourages me as well.

In Titus 2, the older women are instructed to train the younger women.  Paul even suggests areas we need to address, but today rather than focusing on the “what” of mentoring, I challenge you to think about the “Why?”

Why does mentoring matter?

I could give you a list of the reasons it’s been important in my life and perhaps you could do the same, but let’s look at the best answer to our question.

Why do I need to be a mentor and be mentored?  

Friend, take a minute and think about these words in Titus 2:5:

…so that no one will malign the word of God.

 Join me in looking at the definition of the word malign:

to speak evil against; to speak harshly or unfairly.

Do we want others to speak harshly about God’s Word?  No.  So how do we keep that from happening?  We follow Paul’s command in Titus 2...we mentor and be mentored.

Mentoring, the idea of one generation teaching another, has always been important to me, but the “so that” in Titus 2:5 added even more value.  This is about giving back and reaching out, but friend it’s also so much more.  Mentoring is about preventing the holy, living and active Word of God from being maligned.

And friend, the Word we long to uphold is what will equip us!!

Let 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) encourage you today!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Mentoring is a good work that matters!!  We’ve answered the Why?  Now may the reason for mentoring encourage us to open God’s Word and let Him equip us to do His work!

Today I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and ask God to increase your love for His Word.  Commit to spending more time reading the Bible and as you do, He will give you the desire to live it out.  Mentoring will be one of the good works that results from your time in the Word!!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word…it is living and active and has the power to transform lives.  I ask You to work through it in big ways in my life…use it to teach, rebuke, correct and train me Lord.  I pray for more passion for Your Word and more time in Your Word.  Help me remember the reason for mentoring Lord and use that to motivate me to learn from others and be a mentor for some.  Help me do the work You’ve set before me Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.