Mon.2.23.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...Observe...part 1

Smash! Ugh! My wife and I in our BC days (Before Children), were on a road trip around Lake Michigan. It was the 4^thof July weekend, and we couldn’t find a place of lodging for the night there in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. So we figured that since nearby Canada didn't celebrate our Independence Day, we might find a place to sleep there. As we drove around searching (long before the days of GPS), I made a near fatal, quick left hand turn at the green light. Wham! A car from behind me barreled into my car right behind the driver’s door. When I managed to get out, I said to the driver (I also speak Canadian), “In a hurry?! Rather than apologizing, he yelled at me, “What! You turned right in front of me! This is a one way street!” Ugh! I thought I was in the left turn lane on a two way street. I didn’t notice. I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t observant. 

I’m sure you could share stories of accidents you’ve been in where you or the other driver weren't paying attention. Distracted driving is a huge problem. Likewise, when we don’t pay attention in relationships huge problems can occur as well. A lot of marital arguments erupt when one spouse doesn’t pay attention to the needs of the other. (Yes, I know, sometimes wives forget that we can’t read their minds- “You should have known that’s what I wanted or meant!” Ugh! R!:) When we don’t pay attention to our spouse, things worse than a car crash can occur. This is also true when we don’t pay attention to our kids, our health, our spiritual life, or our protégés.

Think of your family and the incoming protégés on your team as your flock. We want to be good shepherds of them. Proverbs 27:23 gives us great wisdom- “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” Be observant. This is crucial isn’t it? (That’s why the O of MENTOR stands for Observe.) The good shepherdobserved that one of his sheep was missing and searched for it until he found it (Luke 15:4-5). So how can we apply this to our mentoring, or shepherding of our proteges?

First, let’s observe how sheep in the church go missing. Perhaps, a man is out of sorts with his wife on a Sunday morning. He doesn’t want to be in the same car with her, so he stays home. Since the church isn’t tiny, no oneobserves that the sheep is missing, so no one calls. He used to go to a small group, but he didn’t feel close to the guys and encouraged. When he missed a few times, no one even called him. Eventually, he just stopped going altogether. Then he became hit or miss with Sunday morning church. He justified his slow drifting away by telling himself that he could worship God just as well at home or when he was outside walking the dog. Finally, he went AWOL altogether. This man, who could have become a mighty warrior for God, is now another casualty. The roaring lion, Satan, basically devoured this wandering sheep (1 Pet.5:8).

So how can we help to prevent this? It starts by being observant. If you observe that a protégé on your team didn’t comment on the blog, then kindly contact him that day. (Don’t put it off to see if he blogs the next day.) “Hey, I missed seeing you on the blog yesterday and wanted to make sure you’re alright.” (Sometimes, it might only be that the blog swallowed up his posted work. It’s happened to a few of us. Grrr!) Then listen to what he has to say. Encourage him. Ask how you can pray for him. If you think it warrants such, let other teammates know, so they can all the more encourage and pray for him. Determine “Not on my watch” will I let this man drift away. Be a good shepherd. Perhaps, you could suggest good resources or people to help him. We’ll talk about that soon.

1.-Read John 10:10-15. Then write out John 10:14 on your MP3 card. Now do the Did it. What a great MP3 verse to meditate on, and to praise the Lord for being that knowing and devoted shepherd to me. It’s also great for praying that I would be a knowing (observant) and devoted good shepherd to my family and proteges.

2.-Share one thought from what we covered today.

G? How many individuals or groups did you get to share and enrich from your MP3 card? 

R?

E? Remember to give yourself points for the brothers you also wrote words of encouragement under their comments. So if you made 2 phone calls and also posted a note of encouragement under a man's comments, please record it after the letter E this way- 2/1 (for 2 calls and 1 blog note). You deserve credit for being so encouraging!

Remember, if you called up a team member and happened to share your thoughts from your MP3 card, give yourself credit for both G (Sharing God's word from your MP3 card) and E (for the Encouragement call.)

A?

T?

Announcements
A week ago Sunday, your GDP (Growing Deeper Project) was simply to review the newly updated M3 website. Your proteges need to go to this to fill out and submit their application to join, so I wanted you to review it. (There is a new GPD posted yesterday that you again have all week to complete. It goes right along with our MP3 verse today- Your sheep need to know you and vice versa. You’ll see what I mean. These are necessary to graduate from Coaches Training. And most of you are almost there. Yahoo!)

March is fast approaching. If you need help in recruiting your two proteges, please call me. Make sure to call them. Find out if they've read over the M3 website and what questions they may yet have. Then encourage them to submit their application.

Congrats to our top scorers- Eddie with 17! George and Sam tied for 2nd place with 11 and Jack and Kentrayle tied for third with 10 each. Way to go!

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	G MP3 sharing	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	Testifying	Totals
		For Th. 2.19.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
	Jack Rogers U.2	1	4		4	1		10
	Roger Vinlasaca U.2	1	4		1	1	1	8
	Fire Team 2							0
	Mike Pagan U.2	1	1			1	1	4
	George Rabiela	1	5	1	3	1		11
	Fire Team 3							0
	Sam Vargas U.2	1	3		4	1	2	11
	Gary Remson U.2	1	1		4	1		7
	Fire Team 4							0
	Robert Roman U.1	1	2		2	1		6
	Vince Diaz U.1	1	2	1	2	1		7
								0
	Delta Force							0%
	Fire Team 1							0
	Alvin James U.2	1				1	2	4
	Kentrayle Adams U.1	1			4	1	4	10
	Fire Team 2							0
	Dave Heidekruger U.2	1	1		3	1		6
	Israel Fuentes U.2	1	1		2	1	2	7
	Fire Team 3							0
	Daniel Contreras U.1	1			2	1		4
	Antonio Palomar	1	1	1	2	1		6
	Fire Team 4							0
	Eddie Morales U.2	1	6	1	8	1		17
	Ismael Andrade U.2	1			1		1	3