Youth Mentoring - Youth

1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

As you seek for a Leader, a Role Model, as you search for someone to give you a sense of direction - God is calling you, are you willing to answer his call?

In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called his disciples to become "Fishers of Men". It is the same call he is giving to you, follow Jesus and you can become a Mentor to your peers.

Jesus is calling you to Separation: Stay away from the places of sin. Let your friends/peers see you in places you know are good places to be. 1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any many love the world, the love of the father is not in him for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the father, but of the world and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

Yours friends will try to influence you. They will pressure you into doing things which your consciences are telling you are wrong. The conscience is that part of you which makes you unhappy when you do wrong. Come out from among them and be separate. Show you are different, pray constantly as your friends/peers will sometimes try to get you angry causing you to sin.

Avoid the Practices of Sin: 1 Timothy 5:22(b) "Keep yourself pure" Young people you are called to keep yourselves pure. Pure from all the vices of sin in which some youth tend to get involved e.g. drugs, alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted children, etc. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, put on the whole armour that you will be able to withstand against the devil."

As you strive to live for Jesus, many will criticise, but remember many are also watching, so do the right at all times. Model your life on someone who confesses Jesus as Lord.

Avoid Playing with Sin: Sin always leaves marks. Proverbs 6:27 "Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?"

Is your Mentor one who plays with sin, one who is willing to try and find out for him/herself?

Many, because of their low esteem have been carrying around the marks of sin.

There was once a young lady, who after gone through a period of counselling because of her behaviour said - "I will have to do `it' and experience it for myself." She did 'it' and regretted. She is carrying around the marks of sin.

If you are to Mentor your friends and peers, you will have to resist the Power of Sin. Romans 12:2. "And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may approve what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Don't follow the crowd, the majority isn't always "right". Pray and ask God to choose the right crowd for you.

To be a Mentor, you are called to Surrender. Surrender, Time - Talk - Thoughts.

Time - Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to remember our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom"

Never waste time. You are young but you do not know how long you will live, do the correct thing now and always, remember you are a Mentor, mentoring your friends/peers. Include God in all you do. Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not now the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." The time is right now.

Talk - James 1:10. "Let everyman be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." Every time you open your mouth, you show what is in your heart; are you speaking to your peers about the love of God, of his mercies to you and others; what are you talking about? By your speech/conversation you are known; are you mentoring your peers with your speech, or are you leading them astray?

Thoughts - Proverbs 23:7. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." What are your thoughts? You are what you think. Share your thoughts with your friends/peers, focus on Christ. Philippians 2:5 - "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

If you are to be a Mentor you will have to spend time with your friends/peers. Talk to them, listen to them, share your thoughts, encourage and help them as best you can, always keeping your eyes on the life and work of Jesus. Study the Bible.

As a Mentor you are called to make a Sacrifice. Deny self and make time for others. You are called to dedicate yourself. Too many people start but never finish. You have to show others that you are determined to be the best.

As a Mentor you are called to Stand. For what or whom are you standing? You must have a purpose to stand. Daniel 1:8. Make a decision to stand; sixty-nine years after Daniel purposed to live for God he was freed from the Den of Lions. Stand and be counted for God. Do not be afraid to tell others for whom you are standing, though it may be hard, rough and very difficult be determined when you fall to rise again and go on; make a decision to stand.

As a Mentor, mentoring youth, you are called to Serve, to Worship to Pray and to witness. Regular public worship is vital. Let your peers see that you are serving God by attending worship regularly, let them see your reading the Bible, studying God's Word and praying. When you pray, pray for yourselves as well as for others and their needs.

As you mentor, you are called to be a witness for Jesus. Acts 1:8 "You shall be witnesses ...to the uttermost parts of the earth" Go, tell others about your Mentor's Love and Mercy, Jesus is the greatest mentor.

Young people, God is calling you to be Mentors - Mentoring others: You can only be a wise and trusted counsellor if you are focused on God. Many are watching you, some want to be like you, so you have to be an example - a role model.

You will have to live close to Jesus Christ, listen to his voice and heed his words. Use the talents he's given you to the best of your ability. Work for him.

Irma Batchelor is a member of the Five Islands Moravian Church in Antigua.