HOW TO LEARN FROM MENTORS Pt.1
Prov 17:16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.NLT
Years back, one of the women in my local assembly told me about a young brother who needed mentoring. She spoke glowingly about this young man, his zeal and his desire to grow in the things of the Spirit. She wanted me to undertake the task of relational discipleship with him of which I agreed to. When this mentoring relationship started, I noticed that this young man wasn't willing to learn because of his attitude of always trying to teach me whenever we're discussing. I expected him to listen and ask questions but he never gave me the chance to share God's word and wise counsel with him. He did almost all the talking while I was the major listener. Actually, I felt it was something I could change so I became patient with him seeing he was younger. In all my trials, I failed. When I saw that he wasn't ready to learn, I called it quit silently.
Some of us need to learn how to how to learn from mentors. When my trainers are talking, the very first thing I do is to listen. Your ability to listen to those God has placed over you for mentorship is the first step to growth. One of the counsels in the book of proverbs from the supposed father to son says: "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding", Prov 4:1. You cannot benefit from mentoring relationships if you're not a listener. I don't have many mentors but I listen to the few I have whenever they're talking. Mentorship will do you no good if you're not ready to listen attentively to your mentors. I haven't said listening is akin to imposition of ideas but the honour you'll give a mentor is to open your ears to whatever he has to say then it is left for you to decide whether you'll obey or not. Talk less around mentors.
Stop brandishing your knowledge and achievements whenever you're around those who carry the spirit of fathering over your life. They know and can see what you're doing. You may have reached a very great height but you don't have their depth. Their duty is to draw you deeper not just to take you higher. When you are around men of depth, be wise to listen. What I noticed about men who carry the grace to mentor and disciple people is that they aren't pursuing great height but they seek great depth. You'll be wasting your time telling them about your "exploits", just listen to them. Your meeting time with your mentor is not the time to show your exegetical prowess. There are men who don't know exegesis but they know God by reason of encounter. They have depth of relationship with Him. Start cultivating this attitude of listening, it helps.
Listen.