under his wing

The best way to learn something is to be taught by a master who is willing to show you, help you, correct you and then let you.  It doesn't matter if that thing is simple (learning to tie your shoe) or complicated (learning to program a thermostat); having an expert who is willing to take you under their wing and guide you is the best way to learn.

In my life, I've been blessed to have teachers/coaches/mentors and other pastors who have patiently taught and shown me, with gentle corrections as needed, how to do certain things and how to become something.  A coach taught me how to run a perfect pick and roll in basketball.  A teacher taught me how to add fractions (which I have now forgotten).  A mentor taught me how to share my testimony.  I've been taught by amazing men and women who have been kind enough to take the time to explain, clarify, observe and give me the freedom to do things on my own (with help as needed).

I seek, in my own life, to be that kind of coach/mentor/pastor.  I am not just a hired preacher, I hope I am a teacher and mentor.  I enjoy the idea of taking someone under my wing and helping them learn skills and life lessons that I've gleaned from others.

Ephesians 4:11-13 says "So Christ himself gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

We who have reached maturity (at least some level of maturity anyway) have a duty to do for others what has been done for us.  We must take people under our wing, share faith, give encouragement, build them up and send them out so that the Kingdom of God may grow among us.  

Who are you mentoring?  Who have you sought to encourage?  Who are you building up?  We all should be about this work.  We all should seek to mentor.  We all should work to pass on knowledge, love and faith to others who are younger than us (or newer to the faith than us) so that they may grow.  
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If you aren't mentoring anyone...look around.  Open your eyes.  God may have put someone in your life who you can equip.  Do for others what has been done for you.  Be a blessing.

In Christ,
Pastor Scott