Meaningful Mentorship

Today we’re featuring a guest post from our summer intern, Alex Rhoades. Alex is a senior at Union University interning at LifeWay this summer in Student Ministry Publishing. She likes swimming pools, lacrosse, salty snacks, and Johnny Depp movies. Today, she shares about the importance of mentoring in her own life and how she wishes she’d had a mentoring relationship when she was in high school. If you’re considering mentoring teenage girls, consider this your invitation. You know, as if Titus 2:3-5 wasn’t invitation enough. ;)

With my arms full of thick science textbooks, glossy folders, loose-leaf papers, and a small, green Bible, I walked into the coffee shop. Quickly scanning the dimly lit room, I spotted a friendly, familiar face waiting in line for the cashier to take her latte order. I took a seat on a couch in the center of the room and was soon joined by the friendly face who came bearing caramel flavored drinks. Over sips of coffee and relaxing lounge music, the conversation between my friend and I flowed effortlessly from updates on classes to discussions on roommates and social activities. While this may appear to be just a conversation with a supportive friend, this was actually a meeting with my mentor, and the casual discussion was soon followed by my mentor guiding me toward passages in the Bible.   

If there was one thing I was not lacking in college and high school, it was advice and guidance. From magazines and TV to athletes and musicians, it seemed like everywhere I looked I could find a surplus of information pertaining to my problems or general life advice. There was also my Bible, of course, but unfortunately teenagers do not always use the best judgment when deciding where to look for guidance. This lack of wisdom and maturity was where my mentor stepped in. She constantly guided me toward the Bible and encouraged me to seek godly solutions to my problems. I knew that whenever I needed to talk to someone or pray over an issue, I could turn to her for support and guidance. Her sound reasoning and wisdom beyond my years also helped me to grow tremendously in my faith.  

While I did not have a mentor until college, one of my good friends did have a mentor in high school. Seeing the spiritual maturity of my friend and the strong relationship she has with her mentor has made me realize the advantage of having a mentor in high school. When my friend was faced with peer pressure and the drama of high school, she had her mentor to confide in and seek advice. She did not always want to talk to her parents about her problems, and instead, she was able to turn to her mentor. By the time my friend came to college, she was spiritually mature enough to be a mentor to younger girls.

Whether it’s casually meeting for coffee or having an in-depth Bible study, mentors provide necessary spiritual guidance for teenage girls. While I did not have a steady mentor until college, girls would benefit from having a godly mentor in high school. During the formative high school years, mentors help girls develop spiritually, and this early spiritual growth will help girls stay grounded in college. With the numerous issues girls face, it is important that they have a godly mentor to help guide and counsel them.