Young men today have never needed more guidance and attention. These days, young guys are bombarded with conflicting messages about who they are supposed to be as men and as people. With all that pressure being laid on their shoulders, the need for positive role models has never been greater. Young men need and want an older man to mentor them and show them what it means to be a man.
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Young Men Want a Mentor
Growing up to be a good man tough, especially with all the distractions of social media and the pressures of our current culture. Older men can serve a pivotal role for the younger generation, and all it requires is some time. Investing in the life of a younger man can help them avoid pitfalls and provide the foundation of confidence and guidance they need.
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How to Start
There are several avenues to positively impacting the life of a young man. Most people know someone who could use guidance, and if not, the church is a great place to contact. It is important to initiate these relationships with confidence. Young men will respond to a confident and capable leader who approaches them with their best interests at heart.
Have a Plan
Creating a mentorship plan can be intimidating, but it’s not as hard as one might think. A simple and flexible meeting schedule is the best option when planning out time to spend mentoring. A plan can be as simple as coffee a few times a week or a few times a month. There is even a 101 series for men here at pursueGOD.org.
Reach Out
While young men crave a father figure, they are also busy and distracted. It means the world to a young person to have someone contact them weekly to simply ask how they are. Contact can be easy and casual, with a simple phone call or text letting the youth know they have someone if they need them.
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The base idea of mentorship is to produce another mentor. Don’t just invest in one young person and expect to keep doing the same thing for years. Build up an individual to the point at which they can be a mentor themselves. Mentors train and empower young people so they can go do it again, creating a branching effect of positive change.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Titus 2:6-8. Why do younger men need to be mentored by older men?
- Have you ever had a mentor? If so how did it impact you?
- Have you ever thought about being a mentor to a younger man? Explain.
- Can you think of someone who could use a mentor? If so, how could you help them?
- What does a positive male role model provide that young men need? Give an example.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
