Mentors have the ability to transform individuals and even a city. Here are studies that have been done concerning the benefits of mentoring:
• 75% of executives point to mentoring as playing a key role in their careers (Jeff Barbarian, “The Road Best Traveled,” Training, May 2002).
• The more mentors a woman had, the faster she moved up the corporate ladder (“Catalyst Finds Women Of Color Are Taking Charge Of Their Careers and Moving Up the Corporate Ladder” Catalyst Press Release, July 16, 2002).
• Managerial productivity increased by 88% when mentoring was involved, versus only a 24%
increase with training alone (Barbarian, 2002).
• 95% of mentoring participants said the experience motivated them to do their very best (Ed Michaels, Helen Handfield-Jones, and Beth Axelrod, The War for Talent, Harvard Business School Press, 2001).
• Professionals who have had mentors earn between $5,610 and $22,450 more annually than those
who have not (Kathryn Tyler, “Mentoring Programs Link Employees and Experienced Execs,” HR Magazine, Apr, 98).
Elijah illustrates the positive spiritual benefits of mentoring in his relationship with Elisha in 2 Kings 1-2.
When Ahaziah, king of Israel, sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to learn whether he would recover from sickness. Elijah asked if the king’s messengers inquired of Baal-zebub because there was no god in Israel, saying the king would not recover. The king sent two captains with fifty men each and asked Elijah to come down. Twice Elijah asked fire to come down from heaven to consume the captains and their fifty men. The captain of the third fifty begged him to save their lives. The angel of the Lord told Elijah to go down and not be afraid. He told the captain that because the king inquired of Baal-zebub and not God, he would die, which he did (2 Kings 1:1-18). God causes death when you trust in false god or idols.
When the Lord was about to take Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, Elisha went with him to Bethel. Twice Elisha said he would not leave Elijah. The sons of the prophets at Bethel and Jericho both asked Elisha if he knew that the Lord was taking away his master. When Elijah told Elisha to stay, he said he would not leave (2 Kings 2:1-6). God causes life and increased opportunities for ministry when you develop a close relationship with a mentor.
Elijah folded his mantle and struck the waters to divide it so the two of them crossed over on dry land. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. As they were talking, there appeared a chariot of fire and Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha took Elijah’s mantle, stood by the bank of the Jordan and struck the waters saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” The waters divided and Elisha crossed over (2 Kings 2:7-14). God increases your spiritual appetite when you follow the example of a mentor in seeking God.
The sons of the prophets in Jericho said that the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. Fifty men searched for Elijah for three days and did not find him (2 Kings 2:15-18). God transforms your heart through a godly mentor.
The men of the city told Elisha that the water was bad and the land unfruitful. He told them to bring a new jar and put salt in it. Elisha threw salt in the spring of water and the Lord said He purified the waters so no death or unfruitfulness would occur to this day (2 Kings. 2:19-22). God transforms physical and social aspects of your city because of mentoring relationships.
When young lads from Bethel mocked Elisha saying, “Go up, you baldhead,” he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears tore up 42 lads before he returned to Samaria (2 Kings 2:23-25). God protects you from persecution and mocking in the fulfillment of your mission.
Consider the following checklist do determine if you are experiencing the benefits of mentoring:
1. Are you trusting in the true God instead of false gods or idols?
2. Are you developing a close relationship with a mentor to experience life and increased opportunities for ministry?
3. Are you following the example of your mentor in seeking God to increase your spiritual appetite?
4. Is God transforming your heart through your mentor?
5. Is God transforming physical and social aspects of your city because of your mentoring relationship?
6. Are you seeing divine protection from persecution?
Answering yes to these questions shows you are benefiting from mentoring relationships.
