What We Do With Our Wisdom

by Angela Martin

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” – Proverbs 19:20

Tyler Perry said: “What I’ve found about it is that there are some folks you can talk to until you’re blue in the face–they’re never going to get it and they’re never going to change. But every once in a while, you’ll run into someone who is eager to listen, eager to learn, and willing to try new things. Those are the people we need to reach. We have a responsibility as parents, older people, teachers, people in the neighborhood to recognize that.”

I believe the same is true of the church. And older, more mature women, have the responsibility to use their wisdom, experiences and influence to mentor and speak into the lives of younger women. A mentor is a godly, older friend who is willing to invest her time and talents into sharing her life, her struggles, and her wisdom with younger women.  Younger women are the 20-somethings with two small children, husband, and a demanding job living hundreds of miles from her parents. She often has few friends, no network of fellowship with like-minded women, yet she has to try and make sense of all that is happening around her. She needs someone who can shape, encourage, and inspire her in her journey as a woman, a wife, and a mother.

Titus 2 talks about how to train younger women in Biblical, simple-to-measure, Spirit-empowered, love-based living. “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.” (Titus 2:3-5)

For every woman who attends Northstar, there are some older and some younger. To those older, you are to look and see if they are an example of Christ—if they are, ask them to show you what they have learned and how they do it. For those who are younger, try and assist them to help them bring every area of their lives to Jesus. This can occur in informal settings, such as one on one, or in Northstar Groups. We need to remember that many of the young woman who attend our church were not raised in the church.

Having a mentor in your life means you’re going to have some learning to do, because your life as it is now, may be challenged. While that may be a good thing, it isn’t always an easy thing.

My prayer is that every woman in our church will have other women placed into their lives as an example, encouragement, and role model.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8

Discussion Question:

1. Do you view mentoring as ministry?
2. Do you know someone who you believe you could help? What is stopping you from connecting with that person?
3. A heart for God, experience in life, a love for people and availability. If you have these characteristics, you can mentor someone else. Agree or disagree?
4. God placed the first two priorities in the Titus 2 list for women: to love their husbands and love their children. What is keeping us from fulfilling those two responsibilities?
5. Pray and ask God to put a mentor in your life, or to mentor to someone, who can benefit from your wisdom and experiences?