The pain of spiritual parents

 16 Oct 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion


The pain of spiritual parents

Paul led many people to Christ and helped them mature spiritually. Perhaps one reason for his success as a spiritual father was the deep concern he felt for his spiritual children; he compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow.


“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

———————

Reflections

I can’t really say I discipled someone except for one that was I felt kind of short lived and my mum who lived with me. It felt especially strange as well as meaningful when it was like a role reversal between me and my mum. The ultimate aim in discipleship I feel, is to help our mentee stay close to Christ, which is also like birth pains. Like we know it’s going to hurt but we still have to do it. The whole discipleship process helped me to understand quite a few key points to note as a spiritual parent as follows. There are obviously more. Please feel free to add if you do have other experiences as well so we may learn from one another.


  1. Every learner learns in their own unique way. They are no two learners which are the same though we do sometimes classify them in broad categories. For example, some are more visual and others may be more hands on.
  2. Every person is in a different season of their life even though our paths may cross at the same time. So for certain people, it may be a breeze to focus but for others, it can be a struggle. So we cannot do a one-size-fits-all model to teach every person we meet.
  3. Each and every person are at a different level of maturity. (This is regardless of how long a Christian they are).
  4. We as mentors need to recognise that even if we don’t struggle in certain areas doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t as well. We are all made unique and the Lord has made it fair that what some things we are good at are just not the same for the rest.
  5. Do not be too quick to jump or judge when a mentee does something worldly, especially when they are new. Transformation takes time and at times, it will take almost forever. Try to be encouraging as much as we can. We do not know a lot of things from the start as well! So if God can give us that grace, we ought to give them grace too!
  6. Have a teachable heart. Because the Lord is fair and doesn’t give us everything but an open and humble heart to learn and relearn from others, even our mentees.
  7. It is not how much they do or read the word but the consistency that they are doing it. It will have to be developed into a lifestyle, like how we are very used to eat and shower daily. Therefore, the need to seek the daily bread. Quality over quantity.
  8. One should never be solo but be in a community.

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