It is an intensive process to mentor someone to excel in their life. Without intentionality, such mentoring does not happen.
1. Discernment: Mentors have a special gift to spot potential, discern calling, and understand the growth path of a person. Barnabas had this gift of discernment that he could spot Saul (Paul) and John Mark as potential leaders. Paul became a great missionary, theologian, and author of many books in the New Testament. John Mark became a great missionary and author of the Gospel of Mark.
2. Advocacy: When Saul came from Damascus, no one trusted him. Barnabas took him under his wings and introduced him to the Apostles.
3. Recruitment: The Church in Jerusalem deputed Barnabas to teach the new church at Antioch. When he went to Antioch to understand the task, he realised he would need more people to do it. Hence, Barnabas recruited Saul to be his associate. He went all the way to Tarsus to recruit him.
4. Working together: Barnabas and Saul worked together in Antioch. Barnabas created an environment for Saul to develop his gifts as a teacher. Later, the Spirit of God separated them for the special task of missions. The leaders of the church discerned and commissioned them as missionaries. (Acts 13:1-2)
5. Empowering: Barnabas empowered Paul, so that he was given a leadership position for Paul. In the first missionary journey after crossing Cyprus, Luke writes: ‘Paul and companions.’ (Acts 13:13) Barnabas was humble enough to let Paul take the leadership.
6. Let go, set free: When it was time for Paul to go on his own, Barnabas separated from him. Though it was not cordial, like the separation of Abraham and Lot, it happened. Paul chose Silas and went on his missionary journey. Barnabas mentored Mark, as he mentored Paul.
7. The Next Generation: Barnabas took John Mark, a younger leader and started the process of mentoring that he became the author. Even Paul recognised that John Mark had become a valuable leader for the Kingdom of God. (II Timothy 4:11)
Do I have a mentor, and do I mentor others?