As your kid(s) grow and develop, they will not only need us as their parents, but they will need consistent adults in their life that will support, encourage, challenge, and even begin to provide them with some biblical accountability along the way. This Toolbox Resource is a Mentoring Assessment that gives you some questions to consider as you seek to begin the journey of connecting your kid(s) with spiritual mentors as they grow up.
Part 1: Consider each statement carefully and assess whether it accurately reflects the current state of adult influence in the life of your kid(s). Use the following scale to rate each statement:
SD: Strongly Disagree: This statement does not describe our situation at all.
D: Disagree: This statement describes our situation to a small extent.
N: Neutral: I’m unsure or this statement partially describes our situation.
A: Agree: This statement describes our situation to a significant extent.
SA: Strongly Agree: This statement accurately describes our situation.
Our child has regular interactions with a teacher/leader/Christian mentor who actively encourages them in their spiritual growth.
SD | D | N | A | SA
Our child is consistently involved (twice a month or more) in our church’s children’s ministry, where they have access to Christian role models.
SD | D | N | A | SA
Our child participates regularly (twice a month or more) in events or discipleship programs led by experienced Christian mentors.
SD | D | N | A | SA
We are highly intentional about connecting our child with Christian adults who share similar values and beliefs.
SD | D | N | A | SA
We actively seek out Christian mentors who can provide guidance in areas where our child needs support.
SD | D | N | A | SA
We are highly intentional when it comes to connecting and staying in open communication with our child’s small group/bible study leader.
SD | D | N | A | SA
We make sure or do whatever it takes so that our kid(s) can participate in Christian camps, VBS, or events that promote spiritual development.
SD | D | N | A | SA
We, as parents, regularly engage with other Christian families, creating a supportive community for our child.
SD | D | N | A | SA
Take some time to reflect on your answers and discern whether there is an area you have the opportunity to give more attention to.
Part 2: This part asks some similar questions in different ways and gives you the opportunity to write your thoughts. Remember that this assessment is a tool to help you reflect on the current state of mentorship in your child’s life. If necessary, take some steps to begin to surround your kid(s) with mentors they can learn from and lean on. In some of these areas, you are just planting seeds and starting a process that will have a tremendous impact in the years to come.
Personal Relationship with Christ
Does your child have mentors who encourage and guide them in nurturing their personal relationship with Christ? List these people.
Regular Church Attendance
Do you and your child actively participate (twice a month or more) in a local church where they can interact with Christian mentors and leaders regularly? How does this participation practically link your kids to potential mentors?
Children’s Ministry Involvement
Is your child actively engaged in a children’s ministry or other group where they can build relationships with older, spiritually mature individuals? Do you make this a priority in the life of your family? If not, what changes can you make to prioritize this and you help them get involved?
Bible Study Habits
Do you encourage your child to be involved in Bible study groups led by Christian mentors who can guide them in understanding and applying biblical principles?
Prayer Partnerships
Does your child have Christian mentors with whom they regularly pray, discuss faith matters, ask questions, share doubts, and seek guidance
Service Opportunities
Does your child have access to volunteer or service opportunities where they can work alongside Christian mentors in outreach and community service? If so, where? If not, where might there be some opportunities for them to serve?
Christian Camps/Retreats
Have you encouraged your child to attend Christian camps, VBS, or retreats where they can form connections with mentors in a more immersive and focused setting? If they have attended one of these, what benefits have you seen when it comes to mentoring relationships? If they have not attended, what might you encourage them to attend?
Christian Role Models
Can your child identify at least one mature Christian mentor outside of the family?
Do they have someone they feel comfortable discussing spiritual matters with?
Are there other adults in your social circle or extended family who serve as positive Christian role models for your child?
Modeling Christian Values
Are there other adult figures in your child’s life who also exemplify the values you hope they will embrace? If so, who are they, and how can you facilitate more interactions? If these people are not present, how can you help to place these people in your teen’s life?
Faith-based Extracurricular Activities
Is your child involved in extracurricular activities that align with their faith, providing opportunities to connect with Christian mentors who share similar interests? If so, how can you encourage more involvement in these activities? If not, how can you get them involved?
Navigating Faith Challenges
When facing challenges, does your child have Christian mentors to turn to for guidance? Do they have adults in their life who can provide a biblical perspective on life’s difficulties? If not, where could you find mentors for them?
Evaluation and Adjustment
Are you regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the current mentorship relationships in your child’s life, and are you willing to make adjustments to ensure they have ample Christian mentors?
Remember, this self-assessment is a tool for reflection and growth. If there are areas where improvement is needed, consider seeking out additional resources and mentorship opportunities to strengthen your child’s Christian support network. Check out this month’s articles and the Online Parenting Class for tips and ideas on how to step into this with your family.
HERE’S A PREVIEW OF THE RESOURCE:
