Mentoring.
A mere mention of the world sends up a flurry of emotions for most people. Me? Mentor? Why me? How do I mentor someone? What do I do first? What if the girl and I don't get along? It's the same reaction I felt the first time I walked into a college class—panic.
The longer I was on campus, the easier college became (except for those math classes!). As I walked through the experience, the mystery was replaced with experience. It turned into a joy (except for the math classes).
The same applies to mentoring teen girls. It sounds daunting and scary. But with a little experience, you'll be encouraing others to do the same.
The book Context: Engaging the Young Adults of Your Community contains some great tips for mentoring. (I think the book is an informative little read, too. It's meant for young adults, but a lot of the principles and tips translate to today's teens.) Here they are (with a girls' ministry twist):
1. Schedule it. Make sure the girl knows that on every Thursday (or every couple of weeks), she will be hanging out at Starbucks. This gives her consistency, accountability, and anticipation.
2. Share hobbies and interests. Sometimes, the best conversations about spiritual matters don't happen with a Bible open. They happen on a jog, while painting pottery, or while cooking a meal. The less formal setting creates an atmosphere in which personal walls are naturally lowered.
3. Share a task. If you are going to do your taxes, let a senior girl help you. She needs to see what she'll be facing in the future. Taking a meal to a family who just experienced a death? Take a girl with you. Girls learn most by experience, not by discussion.
4. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Enough said.
5. Be authentic. If you act like you've got it all together, then you've lost your audience. Girls know you aren't perfect. Admitting to and living in your own brokenness actually gives you a platform to speak. This generation craves, seeks, and demands authenticity.
6. Journal. Keep track of what you talk about, including things you pray about. Over time, you'll be able to track progress and notice patterns of where God is working and moving.
I'm sure there are lots more tips for mentoring teen girls. What are your ideas?
These are great tips!
What I have learned regarding mentoring is simply to "live life" together with the teen. "Life" for me right now is a six year old at home with another on the way. While it may be similar to the teen's home, dealing with younger siblings, it'll be completely different dynamics.
I am to start a more in-depth Bible study with one of our teen girls this month, who has a desire to go one-on-one and dig further with me. I look forward to this being a mentoring opportunity, although am intimidated by the "title" of mentor.
These are great tips!
What I have learned regarding mentoring is simply to "live life" together with the teen. "Life" for me right now is a six year old at home with another on the way. While it may be similar to the teen's home, dealing with younger siblings, it'll be completely different dynamics.
I am to start a more in-depth Bible study with one of our teen girls this month, who has a desire to go one-on-one and dig further with me. I look forward to this being a mentoring opportunity, although am intimidated by the "title" of mentor.
These are great tips!
What I have learned regarding mentoring is simply to "live life" together with the teen. "Life" for me right now is a six year old at home with another on the way. While it may be similar to the teen's home, dealing with younger siblings, it'll be completely different dynamics.
I am to start a more in-depth Bible study with one of our teen girls this month, who has a desire to go one-on-one and dig further with me. I look forward to this being a mentoring opportunity, although am intimidated by the "title" of mentor.