讓帶領門徒為你留下人生的記號(下)
By Robert J. Tamasy
在上週的週一嗎哪中，我介紹了一個能讓人與眾不同-在世界上留下記號的方式：高度連結、互利的門徒帶領法。本週，我會引用大衛．斯托達德(David A. Stoddard)與我合著的書《指導的核心：發展人們最高潛能的十大原則》中提出的其他原則來為此作結。
誠如先前所言，我們所提出的門徒帶領法有別於未在配對前徵求雙方意見的傳統帶領方式。在我們看來，最理想的門徒帶領應該由一位經驗豐富的導師與其「帶領夥伴」(門徒)合作，互相學習。以下是這種方法的其他基本原則及其聖經基礎：
有效的門徒帶領包含品格塑造。培養技能和交流知識可以是門徒帶領的一部分，但與此同時，也應該以全人的發展為目標，包括品格塑造以及人生價值觀傳授。為了達到最大的果效，導師自己必須在生活當中以身作則。「你們在我身上所學習的，所領受的，所聽見的，所看見的，這些事你們都要去行。」（腓立比書4章9節）
有效的門徒帶領讓人能安心且甘願地分擔重擔。人際關係會透過對彼此真誠關心的展現而增長。一位優秀的導師會想知道帶領夥伴在職業和個人方面的表現如何，因為工作會影響一個人的私生活，而個人生活中發生的事情也會對他們的工作產生影響。「你們各人的重擔要互相擔當，如此，就完全了基督的律法。」（加拉太書6章2節）
有效的門徒帶領會幫助人發現自己的熱情所在。有時被帶領的門徒仍在掙扎著尋找適合自己的位置。即使成功，他們也可能並不認為自己的工作充實或有意義。如果個人的興趣和熱情可以和工作保持一致，無論走到哪裡，他們都將能夠成長茁壯，成為寶貴的貢獻者。使徒保羅曾經寫信給他的門徒提摩太說：「你不要輕忽所得的恩賜，就是從前藉著預言、在眾長老按手的時候賜給你的。」（提摩太前書4章14節）
有效的門徒帶領包含效法，並因而產生傳承。大衛．斯托達德因著從導師那裡所獲的一切，也開始希望陪伴他人，幫助對方在專業、個人和靈命上成長。我自己曾有過類似的經歷，並認為這也是我自己要傳承的一部分-幫助別人，使他們也能幫助其他人。「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。」（提摩太後書2章2節）「我聽見我的兒女們按真理而行，我的喜樂就沒有比這個大的。」（約翰三書1章4節）
大衛．斯托達德已於五年前逝世，但他的遺風依然有力的影響著他所帶領的人和其家庭、公司及生命。
一位智者曾經說過世上唯一會存到永恆的就是人，以及上帝的話。我們所能做最好的事情莫過於將時間、精力和資源投注到別人身上，幫助他們發揮自己最大的潛能。尤其當我們遵從上帝和祂的永恆真理而行時，更是無比美好。
© 2019. Robert J. TamasyIt 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy -readywriterink.com, 他的雙週部落格為: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com
反省與問題討論
您是否同意品格塑造和傳授強有力的價值觀是門徒帶領的重要部分？請說明原因。您自己的生命中是否也有對您影響力極大的導師？ 請具體說明在門徒帶領的關係中，何謂「提供安慰」和「分擔重擔」？您是否同意這是一個有果效的導師應該努力做的事？ 如果一個人發現自己的工作無法鼓舞人心，除了薪水之外沒有成就感或意義，您會如何幫助他？幫助這樣的人是重要的嗎？請解釋您的答案。 您認為「帶領門徒」在哪些部分有永恆的價值？
備註：如果您有聖經並希望閱讀更多和這個主題相關的原則，請參考以下的經文：
箴言17章17節
17:17 朋友乃時常親愛，弟兄為患難而生。
箴言13章20節
13:20 與智慧人同行的，必得智慧；和愚昧人作伴的，必受虧損。
箴言20章27節
20:27 人的靈是耶和華的燈，鑒察人的心腹。
箴言21章2節
21:2 人所行的，在自己眼中都看為正；惟有耶和華衡量人心。
馬太福音4章18-22節
4:18 耶穌在加利利海邊行走，看見弟兄二人，就是那稱呼彼得的西門和他兄弟安得烈，在海裏撒網；他們本是打魚的。
4:19 耶穌對他們說：「來跟從我，我要叫你們得人如得魚一樣。」
4:20 他們就立刻捨了網，跟從了他。
4:21 從那裏往前走，又看見弟兄二人，西庇太的兒子雅各和他兄弟約翰，同他們的父親西庇太在船上補網，耶穌就招呼他們，
4:22 他們立刻捨了船，別了父親，跟從了耶穌。
馬可福音3章14節
3:14 他就設立十二個人，要他們常和自己同在，也要差他們去傳道，
路加福音5章1-11節
5:1 耶穌站在革尼撒勒湖邊，眾人擁擠他，要聽 神的道。
5:2 他見有兩隻船灣在湖邊；打魚的人卻離開船洗網去了。
5:3 有一隻船是西門的，耶穌就上去，請他把船撐開，稍微離岸，就坐下，從船上教訓眾人。
5:4 講完了，對西門說：「把船開到水深之處，下網打魚。」
5:5 西門說：「夫子，我們整夜勞力，並沒有打著甚麼。但依從你的話，我就下網。」
5:6 他們下了網，就圈住許多魚，網險些裂開，
5:7 便招呼那隻船上的同伴來幫助。他們就來，把魚裝滿了兩隻船，甚至船要沉下去。
5:8 西門•彼得看見，就俯伏在耶穌膝前，說：「主啊，離開我，我是個罪人！」
5:9 他和一切同在的人都驚訝這一網所打的魚。
5:10 他的夥伴西庇太的兒子雅各、約翰，也是這樣。耶穌對西門說：「不要怕！從今以後，你要得人了。」
5:11 他們把兩隻船攏了岸，就撇下所有的，跟從了耶穌。
MAKING YOUR MARK THROUGH MENTORING, Part 2
By Robert J. Tamasy
In last week”s edition of “Monday Manna,” I introduced the idea of making a difference – making your mark in the world – through a highly relational, mutually beneficial approach to mentoring. This week I wrap up this discussion, citing additional principles that David A. Stoddard and I developed in our book, The Heart of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential.
As I mentioned, this differs from the typical approach to mentoring in which two individuals are assigned to each other, whether they like it or not. In our view, the best mentoring involves a more seasoned mentor working with a “mentoring partner,” both of them learning from one another. Here are some other basic principles for this approach, along with biblical foundations that support them:
Effective mentoring involves character building. Skill training and exchange of knowledge can be part of the mentoring process, but it should also aim for the development of the entire person, including character building and imparting values that govern their lives. To be most effective, the mentor must serve as an example of living out these traits. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice” (Philippians 4:9).
Effective mentoring offers comfort and willingness to share the load. Relationships grow through the demonstration of genuine care and concern for one another. A good mentor will want to know how the mentoring partner is doing both professionally and personally; work invariably affects one”s private life, and what is going on in one”s personal life has an impact on their work. “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Effective mentoring helps others discover their passion. Sometimes the person being mentored is struggling because he or she is still trying to find their place. Even if they are successful, they might not be engaged in a profession they find fulfilling or meaningful. If personal interests and passions can somehow be aligned with the work they do, they will be able to thrive and become valued contributors wherever they go. The apostle Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy, “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14).
Effective mentoring includes reproduction, resulting in a legacy. Because of all he had gained from his own mentors, Dave Stoddard developed a desire to come alongside others and help them to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually. I have had a similar experience, and view that as part of my own legacy – assisting others, so they in turn can help others. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
Even though he departed from this life five years ago, Dave Stoddard”s impact continues through the lives of many men who are having a strong influence in their families, their companies, and other men they are helping to develop through mentoring.
A wise man once said the only things that will last for eternity are people and the Word of God. There are few better things we could do than to invest time, energy and resources into other people, helping them to become all they can be. Especially if we do so under the guidance of God and His eternal truth.
© 2019. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you agree that character building and the imparting of strong values can be an important part of the mentoring process? Why or why not? Has anyone ever had that kind of impact in your own life? What do you think offering comfort and “sharing the load” within the context of a mentoring relationship would look like, in a practical sense? Do you agree that this is something an effective mentor should strive to do? How do you think we can help someone if they find themselves stuck in a job that they do not find inspiring, that does not provide fulfillment or meaning beyond receiving a paycheck? Is that even important? Explain your answer. In what ways could mentoring someone else become a significant part of the legacy we establish that will last long after our time on earth have ended?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Proverbs 17:17, 13:20, 20:27, 21:2; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 3:14; Luke 5:1-11
