By Jolene Engle, Contributing Writer

Where are all the older women?

That’s what I thought when I read Titus 2:3-5.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

 

I didn’t have a Godly example to follow, so I was thrilled when I read this verse, but soon become disappointed with my reality.  It’s not that I didn’t want a mentor, I truly did, but unfortunately I couldn’t find one.

So I prayed for one, and God, in His infinite wisdom, gave me… Him.  I’ll have to admit, it’s not what I expected.  I thought surely the Lord would give me someone in the flesh to learn from.  But that wasn’t His plan for my life.

So over the years I read His Word and He revealed so many things to me as I learned from Him.

Then He pierced my heart to teach others.

At first, I was quite apprehensive to do so.  I started to lead my first Bible study when I had only been following the Lord for 5 years.  I felt ill-equipped especially when the majority of the women in my group had been walking with the Lord longer than I had.

And then my husband would remind me of what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy:

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  1 Tim. 4:12

 

So I pressed on and poured into women in spite of my insecurities and I’m so thankful that I did because of the benefits that I received by being a mentor to them.

 4 Benefits Mentoring Has on Marriage

On-going student of the Word of God

I can’t teach what I don’t know.  Period.  There’s no way around this.  I’ve got to be in the Word in order to teach the Word.  And when I’m reading the Word, it just so happens to convict me, encourage me and equip me in my own marriage.

Accountability

Mentoring other women holds me accountable to walk the talk.  For example, I can’t, in all sincerity, share with a wife and encourage her to respect her husband if I’m not willing to do so.  This accountability has allowed my own marriage to flourish.

The Gospel is Advanced

When marriages become either stronger or restored through mentoring with the Word of God, lives are transformed. And when this takes place, the Gospel is advanced because a Christ-centered marriage reflects Jesus Christ and the Church.

Fellowship and Friendship

A few of my favorite things….talking about the Lord and what He’s doing in our lives (fellowship) and building a deeper friendship with another Christian woman.  Speaking to a sister in Christ about our Lord just so happens to make my heart sing!  When a friendship is developed, it’s easier to lean on one another and share our struggles.  Once we arrive at that vulnerable place, that’s when the Body of Christ can really minister to one another.  Every marriage needs someone who will come alongside and help them out.

Now I’ve only shared 4 benefits.  Can you add to this list?  Share in the comments!