Is There a Difference Between Mentorship and Discipleship?

I’ve heard a lot of people over the years use the terms “discipleship” and “mentorship” interchangeably. I’ve experienced both, as well as led in both areas, and have learned that both are valuable for maturity and growth, as well as have a positive effect of deepening relationships with others. I have found that each one has its place and purpose yet is distinctly different from the other.

What Is Mentorship?

Merriam-Webster defines mentorship as “the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor,” with a mentor being defined as “a trusted counselor or guide.” Many times, a mentor is chosen based on their expertise or life experience, to guide someone else along in life, providing practical, sound advice for navigating life’s challenges. A lot of times, a mentor is older than the mentee.

Mentorship can be related to Christianity but not always, and it often consists of one-on-one meetings for a designated period of time. There are a lot of ways one can mentor somebody, with the goal usually being to help another make better decisions, gain new life perspectives, or develop new skills for career or personal development.

I have had older women that have come and gone in my life that have been wonderful mentors, and I am incredibly grateful for the investment they’ve had in my life. As a pastor’s wife, girl-mom, and speech-language pathologist, my mentors have come from both secular and Christian arenas. Many of them are women I can still call to ask questions about ministry, family, and career.

What Is Discipleship?

Discipleship, on the other hand, is what I like to call “Mentorship PLUS.” Discipleship provides aspects of mentorship but includes so much more. A great definition that encompasses the whole of discipleship is this:

Discipleship is intentionally equipping believers with the Word of God, through accountable relationships, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in order to replicate devoted followers of Christ.

We find disciple-making specifically laid out in God’s Word as Jesus provided the model for how to disciple others. The goal of discipleship is to become a stronger follower of Christ, by walking alongside other believers in reading of God’s Word, praying, repenting of sin and memorizing Scripture together.

This will ultimately also lead to a change outwardly, in better maturity and making better decisions. But the root of growth is inward. It has the potential to transform hearts and lives; as one deepens his understanding of Who God is alongside a few other believers, he begins to live his life in worship.

Jesus: The Model for Discipleship

We have the perfect model for discipleship in the life of Jesus Christ. He preached and ministered to multitudes, but called only 12 men to leave their families, friends, and careers to follow Him. He spent most of his ministry with them. He narrowed it down even further when He consistently took 3 disciples with Him for intensive times of equipping: Peter, James, and John (Mark 3:16–17; Luke 6:14). We see the 3 of them together in several instances in the Gospels (Mark 1:29–31; Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 13:3; Matthew 26:37).

The Gospels give many examples of Jesus ministering to:

• Large groups (the multitudes),

• A small group (the 12), and

• A very small, intimate group (the 3), where He is most transparent and intentional to teach and equip.

  
  

Jesus showed His disciples the Christian life through public teaching and private prayer over the course of three years. Jesus chose His disciples to:

• Be with Him Mark 3:14 – “And he appointed twelve—whom he also named apostles—so that they might be with him…”

• Teach and train them Matthew 4:19 – “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

• Charge them to replicate His model Matthew 28:18–20 – “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

The Beauty of Discipleship

Discipleship is a slow process of intentionally teaching and modeling the Christian life. The beauty of discipling others is that we all teach each other, wrestle through the Scriptures together, hold each other accountable, and pray with one another. The members learn from the leader, and the leader learns from the members.

As it was with Jesus toward His 12 disciples, there is also an expectation for us who have been trained in discipleship to then multiply and teach others also. Acts is a beautiful example of how the disciples spread out and started the early Church, faithfully teaching all that they had learned during their time with Jesus.

May we as believers today exhibit the same faithfulness to find other believers to disciple—and, as my pastor states, may we “make Jesus’ last words on earth, our first priority.”

-Michelle Richardson