Mon.2.9.15...Being a Godly MENTOR...Encourage part 6

We’ve been looking at the importance of being a godly MENTOR- one who not only M=Models Christ, but also E= Encourages others to follow Christ. To guard against the danger of drifting down the river and over the falls of folly, we need to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb.3:13. But how do we “encourage one another” daily? First, you might be surprised to discover how this word “encourage” is used in scripture. The Greek word (parakaleo) translated “encourage” here and elsewhere, is an all encompassing word. It is at times translated “to admonish, beg, beseech, call, console, comfort, exhort, encourage, urge.”  As one my Bible profs put it, “It means to pat someone on the back at the appropriate level.” 

A coach might give a player a happy and encouraging pat high on a player's back for playing well. Or he might give a hurting player a comforting pat on the shoulder. If the player is to go into the game to run a vital play, he might give him an urgent pat. If he is messing up, he might give him an exhorting swat on the behind. (I wouldn’t recommend such on your protégé, but you get the word picture.:) As coaches, we need to give protégés appropriate responses-encouraging, comforting, urging or exhorting responses. Let’s look at how this word is used in scripture with its different shades of meaning. (I will bold the English words that come from our word “parakaleo”)

Paul tells the carnal Corinthians- “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” 1 Cor.4:14-16. We know that being a good MENTOR, starts with being a good M= Model for others to imitate. This is so crucial. “Therefore I urge you to imitate me” Paul declared. Urge protégés to imitate the G.R.E.A.T. model or example you and the team members are setting. We are not perfect, and we are not calling people to be perfect. But we are calling people to Christ and progress in following him. If they will be faithful in this GREAT pursuit, we know they will grow.

What else might we urge others to do and be? Paul urges this- “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  Eph.4:1-3. Other translations render this, I beg, beseech, implore, exhort. In other words, it is vitally important that we help proeteges understand that this is not a game or just an online swapping of thoughts. We are calling men to what Christ is calling them to- life transformation and joining forces to multiply MANLY (Christlike) men- Power HOUSE men who are Hungry, Obedient, Unstoppable, Strong in the Lord and Encouraging. We want to see them become encouragers with us. There are so many to reach and teach. We need them to grow up and help.

Paul urges us to also be spurring others on. “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1 Th.5:14 ESV. We can’t dodge our responsibility to speak into the lives of others when uncomfortable truth is needed to be said, such as having to admonish someone who is idle or lazy. How can we speak the truth with tact? Perhaps we could say, “Brother, you are a better man in Christ than this. I know the enemy wants to sideline you. Fight against such. Rise up to your manly calling in Christ! In Christ I know you can do this!” Speak words of faith, hope and love into his life.

Being a godly mentor is largely about being a godly example and a good encourager. Notice how Paul emphasizes these two vital traits- “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Th.2:10-12. I love the fatherly imagery Paul uses here. He would pat his children on the back at whatever the appropriate level needed to help them live lives worthy of God and their glorious calling.

1.-What is one truth that stands out to you from the several scriptures we’ve read today?

2.-Write on your MP3 card, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Th.2:11-12.

Please continue to give a word of encouragement to another brother on the blog. 

You should have received, via email, an updated list of all your current team-mates. Please use it to start giving encouraging calls, emails or texts to another brother. Then starting tomorrow, give yourself credit by the letter "E" that you will see, for the number of people you reached out to with an encouraging word.
My only request- please do not send our mass emails or texts. Let's keep it personal. Thanks!

3.-R?

4.-A?

Life at times can be a difficult climb and discouraging. But in M3 you are not climbing the mountain alone. So if you ever feel like you’re at the end of your rope, just give a tug!

Announcements
What a great meeting we had yesterday! It was a joy to honor you. You are an Unstoppable force! You'll also note below on our GREAT scorboard the new team arrangements. 

Here again is the link to our updated M3 website. http://multiplyingmanlymen.wix.com/m3-gst

Also you should have received, via email, the excellent testimonies that you and your teammates wrote to share with your prospective proteges. Again, I'd recommend sharing only a few at a time. Feel free to call me if I can be of any help. I'm here to help you succeed.

	1 Tim.4:15	G=God's Word	Right Wrongs	Encouragement	A= Attack Prayers	T	(Men Recruited)
		For Th.2.5.15
	Alpha Force
	Fire Team 1
1	Jack Rogers U.2	Y			A		Daniel & Roger
2	Roger Vinlasaca U.2	Y			A
	Fire Team 2
	Mike Pagan U.2	Y			A		George
	George Rabiela	Y			A
	Fire Team 3
	Sam Vargas U.2	Y			A		Robert
	Gary Remson U.2	Y			A
	Fire Team 4
	Robert Roman U.1	Y			A
	Vince Diaz U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)		A
	Delta Force
	Fire Team 1
	Alvin James U.2	Y			A
	Kentrayle Adams U.1	Y			A
	Fire Team 2
	Dave Heidekruger U.2	Y			A
	Israel Fuentes U.2	Y			A
	Fire Team 3
	Daniel Contreras U.1	Y	R (Our Respect)		A		Vince & Antonio
	Antonio Palomar	Y			A
	Fire Team 4
	Eddie Morales U.2	Y			A		Gary, Ismael, Kentrayle
	Ismael Andrade U.2	Y			A