From the perspective of the mentor, a fundamental impetus for mentoring is the awareness of one’s human limitations and mortality. Those who mentor others recognize that they do not have the capability to fulfil current responsibilities by themselves nor will they live long enough to accomplish everything they believe needs doing. So they will want to equip those around them to access their energies and capabilities to help address current realities. At the same time they will want to transfer what they have learned to the next generation in order that the next generation can build on that and take it to another level. For instance, Moses in his last address as leader of the people highlights the ideal and urgency of transferring faith to the next generation, specifically suggesting various mentoring activities that will impact those who receive the training:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5–9, NIV)These instructions are suggestive of the importance of intentional mentoring. From the mentee’s perspective, mentoring is an opportunity to tap into the wisdom of those who have gone before to fulfil God’s calling on their lives in their generation. Solomon refers to life instructions he has received from his father: “For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live” (Proverbs 4:3–4, NIV).
Thus the value of mentoring consists both in the multiplication of leaders for the present and in the transferability of essential wisdom between generations for the purpose of the advance of the kingdom of God. The same generative principle is seen in Paul’s words to Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2, NIV). This dual value is seen in the mentoring relationship between Jesus and the apostles. They helped disseminate the gospel of the kingdom while Jesus was still with them and then carried on the mission of Jesus after he ascended to heaven.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20, NIV); “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21b, NIV); “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV).