237. Am I Qualified? // Mentoring Minute

237. Am I Qualified? // Mentoring Minute

Author: Zach Garza & You Can Mentor: Faith-Based Mentoring for Churches, Non-Profits, Youth Ministers, and Teachers June 6, 2024 Duration: 5:32

Am I Qualified?


When people consider starting a mentoring relationship with a child, one question that seems to always pop up is “Am I qualified?” 


After all, investing into the life of a child is a big deal.


But I think we are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking Am I qualified?”, start asking “Am I a couple steps ahead of my mentee?”


If you are, then you have something to offer. 


Mentoring is not about having all the answers. It’s about allowing someone to accompany you on the journey of life. It’s about entering into someone else’s world and allowing them to enter into yours. This takes a large amount of courage and humility. 


Show them every part of your life. The good and the bad. Let them observe how a Christian handles everything that this world throws at you. 


John Maxwell said “If you want to impress people, tell them about your successes. If you want to impact people, tell them about your failures.”


All of us are a work in progress. The goal is not perfection or having all it all figured out. The goal is to become more like Jesus. 


I hope you are learning new things in all areas of your life. Professionally. Physically. Relationally. And most importantly, spiritually. 


1 Corinthians 11:1 says “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”


As a a mentor, following the example of Christ looks like this:

  • Christ loved unconditionally.
  • He forgave his enemies. 
  • He accepted people, just like they were. 
  • He spend time with God the Father
  • He pursued the things of God instead of the things of this world. 


So are you a couple steps ahead of your mentee in life?

Are you doing your best to follow Christ?

Are you willing to allow your mentee into your life and give them an example to follow? 


If the answer to all of those questions is “yes”, then I believe you are qualified to mentor. 


And I am confident that the Lord can use you to poisitvely impact the life of a child. Because the Lord loves to use the most unassuming characters to do his work. 


Moses was given up at birth and a murdered a man. 

David was a shepherd boy.

Mary had a demon and Paul persecuted Christians. 


All were used mightly by God. 


If God can use them, then he can surely use you. 


One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” And if you are watching this video, I’d say there is a pretty good chance that you believe God has called you to make disciples through mentoring. 


It was God who called you. And he is faithful. He will surely do it. How kind of him to let us have a front row seat as we watch him impact the life of your mentee. 


You Can Mentor.   


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Contact us at zach@youcanmentor.com or at www.youcanmentor.com


Hosted by Zach Garza, You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast is a conversation for anyone guiding young people within a faith context. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical resource built for the real challenges faced by youth ministers, church volunteers, teachers, and parents. Each episode focuses on the tangible aspects of building relationships that matter, offering grounded advice on how to listen, encourage, and walk alongside the next generation. The core of this podcast is a shared belief that effective mentoring flows from a foundation of loving God and loving others, aiming to make disciples right where you live. We delve into the questions you actually have, because your input directly shapes the discussions. Many episodes are crafted from real questions submitted by listeners, making the content immediately relevant to your own mentoring relationships. Whether you're navigating a difficult conversation, seeking creative ways to connect, or looking to sustain your own spiritual health while pouring into others, this space is designed to equip and encourage you. The goal is to see Christian mentors not just manage, but truly thrive in their vital roles. Tune in for honest stories, actionable strategies, and a sense of community, all aimed at helping you cultivate a more meaningful and impactful mentoring practice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast
Podcast Episodes
241. Earning the Right to be Heard // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:38
Earn the Right to Be HeardYou may have heard the saying “a kid doesn’t care what you know until they know that you care.” It is one of my favorite sayings because I think it is 100% accurate. I have seen many mentors get…
240. With > For // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:26
With > ForI love youth ministry. I am the product of a healthy youth group from the 80’s and 90’s that loved me well and gave me the chance to realize my identity and purpose within a group of youth workers and teenagers…
239. Ending a Mentoring Relationship // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
Ending a Mentoring Relationship WellWhat do you do whenever major life circumstances pop up that get in the way of your mentoring relationship?Maybe your mentee goes off to college or moves to a new community?Perhaps you…
238. Kindness // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:30
KindnessKindness has that middle-child syndrome. Yes, it’s a fruit of the Spirit. But I think we have a funny relationship with the word. We know that we are to be kind. We know a few people who we would describe as kind…
236: Faithfulness Over Fruitfulness // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:37
Faithfulness over FruitfulnessEarly on in my mentoring journey, I thought mentoring was like a math equation. A + B = CIf I showed up + Gave them some wisdom = Growth in my menteeIf I’m being honest, in my naivite, I tho…
235: IPC: Community // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:16
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSI want to paint a mental picture for you on the canvas of your…
234: IPC: Purpose // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:17
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSKing David had a high sense and value for HIS OWN identity, pu…
233: IPC: Identity //Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:03
-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)Identity is WHO WE AREPurpose is WHAT WE DO Community is HOW WE BLESS AND ARE BLESSED BY OTHERSKing David had a high sense and value for HIS OWN identity, pu…