8 Ways to Spend Time with Younger People You Might Mentor
- Chuck Lawless
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Read this Bible text, and it’s tough not to see our responsibility to give some time and attention to young people:
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 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.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:2-8)
That’s a primary reason I’m writing this current article series on mentoring—I want older people to be willing to mentor, and I want younger people to seek out a mentor. Today, I write again to older folks who have a heart for mentoring, but who aren’t sure how to connect with a younger generation (though I still encourage younger readers to keep reading to evaluate my thoughts). If you’re one of those older believers, here are some ways to “jumpstart” that commitment to connect with younger people:
Work with your church’s student or college pastor to hang out with younger folks. I’d be surprised if that pastor doesn’t want dedicated, genuinely Christian older believers influencing the youth group or the college group. And, my guess is you won’t have to do much preparation in helping in these ministries – you just have to make yourself available and get to know the younger people (and, as an aside, you’ll also need to be willing to fulfill the church’s required checks if you’re helping with minors).
Spend time with young people who have an interest in your profession. That common interest provides the basis for conversation, and conversation can lead to mentoring and investment. You might even invite them to your workplace. It’s sometimes amazing what kinds of conversations can develop out of a brief shared time at a place of employment that interests both the potential mentor and the potential mentee. Your church’s pastors can help you make these connections, too.
Invite a younger person to lunch. You don’t need to have any agenda other than getting to know each other. You can learn and teach a lot over a few meals. So, look around at your church for younger people who seem to be faithful to the Lord. Encourage them. Pray for them. Invite them to lunch—and include your spouse in the lunch. I’ve seen long-term mentoring relationships develop from a simple lunch.
Invite younger couples for a meal in your home. Just a few hours observing how you treat your spouse and raise your children can be life-changing for younger people who have had no Christian role models. Especially if your church is in a university or seminary setting, watch for young people who are living in your community “for this season.” Who knows—maybe God’s plan includes their meeting you to help them walk through this pivotal time in life.
Take a younger person to a sporting event with you. I’m a sports fan, but I'm primarily interested in baseball and football. I’ve spent time with mentees attending other sports events, though, so I can learn their favorite sports. It’s just a way to honor them and get to know them along the way. And, if you want them to really see your Christianity in action, have younger people around you when the traffic is crazy or the referee makes a bad call against your team! Let them see you in real life . . .
Do a hobby together. There are numerous options, so you're sure to find something that you and a young person can do together. Play a sport, like golf, pickleball, or basketball. Read a book that interests both of you. Take a hike. Play video games (seriously... the games are much different than the Atari of my day, but some young people will talk with you over a game or two). Go fishing. Grill a steak, or cook an entire meal together. Watch a good movie. Discover what interests the young people, and identify where your interests overlap.
Participate in your church’s membership class. This option might surprise you. Even if you’re already a church member, talk with a pastor about your attending the class regularly to encourage new believers and members—some who, I assume, will be younger people. I’ve seen strong relationships develop between young couples and older couples through this strategy, especially if the older couple becomes “grandparents” to a third generation. I suspect that mentor/mentee relationships might develop.
Commit to interceding regularly for a younger person. Praying regularly for somebody (which requires conversations to learn about prayer needs) can be one of the most special things we do for others. Everybody who is seeking to walk with the Lord needs prayer, and any of us who prays can intercede for someone else. I encourage you, too, to pray for a younger person proactively rather than only praying reactively. That is, start praying for a brother or sister in Christ just because they’re seeking God rather than waiting until they have a great need for you to pray.
Older friend, I’m sure you can come up with some ideas, too, to build relationships. Younger friend, I’m equally sure I’ve missed some things that might work with you. For all of us, I simply say: “Find a way to connect – and get started toward mentoring!”
