You could predict the future of Joshua by looking at his mentor, Moses. You could predict the future of Elisha by looking at his mentor, Elijah. You could also predict the future of Peter, James and John by looking at their mentor, Jesus.

When the disciples of John found out that Jesus was the Lamb of God, they decided to follow Him. They chose Jesus Christ over John the Baptist because they recognised a greater and higher anointing. Indeed, a mentor is someone who is an advisor, guide, counsellor, teacher and tutor to you. Your mentor is a picture of your future.

There are several ways to predict the future. One of the ways is to simply look at someone’s mentor. A person’s mentor points to where that person wishes to get to. The future of these disciples changed in the day that they chose Jesus to be their mentor.
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. John 1:35-37

Things a leader should know about mentoring

1. Know that not every successful person can be your mentor.
Not everyone in the world can be your mentor. Not every successful person can be your mentor. God has chosen certain people to mentor you. Accept this reality and choose to be mentored by a person who God has specially anointed for you.

2. Know that you can be mentored from afar.

Someone who does not even know you can mentor you. Most of the mentors I have do not know me personally. They have mentored me through their books and tapes. Physical proximity is not a pre-requisite for mentorship. You can be mentored from afar! Do not reject a mentor just because he is not physically close to you. You can and should learn how to be close to a mentor who is not close to you physically.

3. Know that your future can be predicted by looking at your mentor.

You could predict the future of Peter, James and John by looking at their mentor, Jesus. It goes without saying then, that your mentor must be someone whose life you would want your future to resemble. He must be someone who has accomplished what you hope to accomplish in life.

4. Know that you can be mentored to a greater or lesser extent depending on how close you become to your mentor.

Jesus did not affect everyone in the same way. He had five hundred people whom he appeared to after he rose from the dead. He had one hundred and twenty people who waited for the Holy Ghost in the upper room. And he had twelve disciples who followed him everywhere. He also had a whole lot of women who ministered to him of their substance.

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Luke 8:1-3

Then he had Mary, his mother, and Mary Magdalene who stood by the cross during his last moments on earth. He had the inner core made out of Peter, James and John.

Then he had Peter who was the head of his team. He also had John whom he loved specially. Decide to be close to your mentor and allow him to influence your life!

5. Remember that almost every successful Bible character had a mentor. a. Jesus’ mentor was the Father. b. Jesus was the mentor of Peter, James and John. c. Joshua’s mentor was Moses. d. Elisha’s mentor was Elijah.

6. Know that you cannot mentor a proud person.

You cannot be mentored if you are too proud to learn from another. A person must accept his need for help before he can be helped. It is impossible to mentor a proud person. Decide to be humble. You do not know everything. God has chosen your mentor to help you attain a certain height of ministry. Do not reject your mentor because you are too proud to be taught!

7. Know that there are natural and spiritual mentors.

Moses had a natural mentor in Pharaoh. He learnt about leadership and government from Pharaoh. David also studied leadership and government in the courts of his mentor, the demonised King Saul. These were natural mentors given by God to train his servants in natural things. After this natural training, spiritual training takes place. I received my natural training from my parents and from my formal education. My medical training has provided me with an essential part of my preparation for ministry. Do not despise your natural mentors! Do not despise your spiritual helpers either.

8. Know that your mentor is a human being.

Your mentor is a human being. He will have limitations and weaknesses. Do not despise your mentor because of his weaknesses. Learn what you can from him. Pick the good things and leave the bad ones. When you are served with a meal, and you do not like something on the plate, you eat what you like and leave the rest!
Dear Leader, you can hardly ever get all the training you need for life from your physical parents alone. God always sends people to fill the gaps in your life. It takes humility to accept and receive mentors. Your lack of mentorship is not a sign of superiority. Look for someone who has achieved more than you and learn from the person. It is definitely a blessing to be mentored. I see you moving to another level as you accept a mentor today!