Suggested Friends: Jethro
Part 3 of the “Suggested Friends” message series
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21 Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
– Exodus 18:17-24 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
The relationship between Jethro and Moses reveals how a mentor can empower us to fulfill our God-given potential through providing spiritual direction, practical wisdom, and personal accountability. We don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek a mentor; we can start now. Identify someone with godly character who is succeeding in what you’d like to do, and ask to meet regularly to listen to their story and the experiences that shaped their character. Everyone needs a Jethro and every Jethro needs a Jethro.
ILLUSTRATION: Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Peter Parker (Spider-Man)
A mentor is simply “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.” (Webster’s Dictionary, 2022)
We could all benefit from more wise counsel.
Mentors guide us in the development and maturity of our relationship with Christ through teaching Biblical principles and how to honor God in worship.
Mentors bring accountability and provides correction when we are traveling down an unwise or unhealthy path.
Mentors should be . . .
If we’re on a mission, we must keep moving. Mentors help us to keep moving.
Personally invite your mentor so the mentor knows their role.
ILLUSTRATION: The “Go to Peace” vs. the “Go in Peace” mentor blessing
“Jethros” bless us to go to what God is calling us to do so that we may receive peace for our lives.
“Jethros” bless us forward and never backwards.
Who is your Jethro? And who are you Jethro-ing?
Everyone needs a Jethro, and every Jethro needs a Jethro.
ILLUSTRATION: Bruised apples make the best pies. Bruised and broken people make the best blessers and blessings!
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever found yourself in a situation in which you didn’t know what to do next – when your past experiences in no way prepared you to tackle what you were facing, and you felt completely out of your depth?
Whose vibrant relationship with Jesus inspires you to grow in your own relationship with Jesus? What is it about their connection with Jesus that inspires you?
Whom do you trust to speak the hard truths to you and hold you accountable to God’s best for your life?
Who do you turn to for advice when you have a big decision to make?
Why is it important to have someone keep you accountable to follow God’s best for your life? If you have had someone confront a choice you have made in the past, describe how you felt when they tried to correct you. Are you glad they confronted your decision now? Why?
Will you look back on your life and see a succession of sorrows, missteps, missed moments? Or will you look back on your life with a sense of satisfaction and joy?
If life matters, we must give our lives to mattering. Will your life matter?
If you do not currently have a mentor, who should you ask to mentor you? What questions or topics would you like to discuss with them?
Everyone needs a Jethro, and every Jethro needs a Jethro. Who is your Jethro? And who are you Jethro-ing?
– Exodus 18:17-24 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
The relationship between Jethro and Moses reveals how a mentor can empower us to fulfill our God-given potential through providing spiritual direction, practical wisdom, and personal accountability. We don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek a mentor; we can start now. Identify someone with godly character who is succeeding in what you’d like to do, and ask to meet regularly to listen to their story and the experiences that shaped their character. Everyone needs a Jethro and every Jethro needs a Jethro.
ILLUSTRATION: Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Peter Parker (Spider-Man)
A mentor is simply “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.” (Webster’s Dictionary, 2022)
We could all benefit from more wise counsel.
Mentors guide us in the development and maturity of our relationship with Christ through teaching Biblical principles and how to honor God in worship.
Mentors bring accountability and provides correction when we are traveling down an unwise or unhealthy path.
Mentors should be . . .
- Someone who displays godly character and a deepening faith in Jesus Christ.
- Someone we trust to lovingly correct us when we head down the wrong path.
- Someone who is further down the path we want to be on in life and has successfully navigated what we’re going through.
- Someone we respect enough to follow their advice.
- Someone we may connect with regularly.
If we’re on a mission, we must keep moving. Mentors help us to keep moving.
Personally invite your mentor so the mentor knows their role.
ILLUSTRATION: The “Go to Peace” vs. the “Go in Peace” mentor blessing
“Jethros” bless us to go to what God is calling us to do so that we may receive peace for our lives.
“Jethros” bless us forward and never backwards.
Who is your Jethro? And who are you Jethro-ing?
Everyone needs a Jethro, and every Jethro needs a Jethro.
ILLUSTRATION: Bruised apples make the best pies. Bruised and broken people make the best blessers and blessings!
Questions for Reflection
Have you ever found yourself in a situation in which you didn’t know what to do next – when your past experiences in no way prepared you to tackle what you were facing, and you felt completely out of your depth?
Whose vibrant relationship with Jesus inspires you to grow in your own relationship with Jesus? What is it about their connection with Jesus that inspires you?
Whom do you trust to speak the hard truths to you and hold you accountable to God’s best for your life?
Who do you turn to for advice when you have a big decision to make?
Why is it important to have someone keep you accountable to follow God’s best for your life? If you have had someone confront a choice you have made in the past, describe how you felt when they tried to correct you. Are you glad they confronted your decision now? Why?
Will you look back on your life and see a succession of sorrows, missteps, missed moments? Or will you look back on your life with a sense of satisfaction and joy?
If life matters, we must give our lives to mattering. Will your life matter?
If you do not currently have a mentor, who should you ask to mentor you? What questions or topics would you like to discuss with them?
Everyone needs a Jethro, and every Jethro needs a Jethro. Who is your Jethro? And who are you Jethro-ing?