“And with many other words (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:40, 42
Mentoring
I know a high-schooler who struggles with math. He tunes out the moment it is mentioned, knowing he is way behind. He got lost in numbers years ago, and the hole just got deeper year by year. This is because math concepts build on one another. If you don’t understand one thing, it’s difficult to grasp the next thing.
This young man needs someone to walk him through math from the start. He needs to pick up what he missed, to solidify the numerical concepts God set forth in the beginning when mathematical precision was created. He could benefit from participating in a class of others who are new to the concepts, where questions are welcome and answers are simple, taught by a knowledgeable, patient teacher overseeing his progress.
As I said, if you don’t understand one thing, it’s difficult to move on to the next. Let’s put this in perspective: What happens to a new believer who is left on her own to figure out the Christian walk? She comes to the knowledge of Christ and receives Him as her Savior, but then what? Wouldn’t it strengthen and protect her new faith if some people took her under their wing, patiently explaining the ways of the Lord, reading the Scriptures with her, checking in on how she is doing, asking if she has any questions, inviting her to join them at church or Bible study or meals?
Likewise, I have talked to many women who, although they have known the Lord for a time, still have not comprehended some of the teachings of Christianity. They have been taught by a knowledgeable teacher but have not grasped the truths. They sit in the church body, but don’t fellowship. They don’t converse over meals with other believers. They don’t pray, or they feel guilty about their ritual prayers and small faith.
Our verse today gives instruction to new believers, and it equally applies to those who want to grow in their walk. Today we call this process “mentoring.” Continue steadfastly—persevere, be diligent, don’t give up easily (or ever) in learning from those who can impart wisdom. Listen to the “apostles” among us—the teachers who are trustworthy and commissioned by God to take His Word to others, or who are experienced and mature in the faith. Be in fellowship with believers, perhaps enjoying a meal together, for this is a chance to learn, and to have our hearts and minds protected by a group of like-minded others. And don’t forget to pray together, lifting one another up before the Lord. This process effectively removes us from this “perverse generation” by providing a godly peer group.
“Father, Your methods are without fault. May we reach out to others who are new to this life in You, and help them along the path. Amen.”
Amen, so important. Thank you.
Amen
It is a long process and scripture that we may have learned, by memorization, as a child, stays with us forever, but, then His Holy Spirit will open that Scripture with new meaning many years later…just as His mercies are new every morning, as is His faithfulness, so may be His Word and how He wants to give it to us. My mother and I shared a Bible which was kept on the kitchen table for morning reading along with ‘Our Daily Bread’. I would arise first and chose to read the entire Chapter of the Verse that was highlighted, and after 10-15 years of doing this, I was enjoying New meaning every time I read an ‘old familiar verse’. Mother would arise after I had left for work, and, she had her way of reading The Word. She did not think that underlining a Scripture was appropriate, so I honored that, and only made marks in my ‘personal Bible’ over the years! We forget that the one sitting next to us in Worship may be a ‘brand-new’ Believer in Christ, and this is a reminder that we always need to pay attention to the nudging of The Holy Spirit, so that our ‘light’ will be ‘soft and draw others to it’, and not ‘too bright that it would blind someone’. Although Mother was 24 years older than I, she would often ask me how I interpreted the ‘message’ at church that day, or one that we had read. Her humility touched me deeply, and I pray that I can be the same with my children and grandchildren. God Bless You All…