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Rick Lentz Man-to-man mentoring or one-on-one discipleship – What is that all about? Just what is it that I do through Brother to Brother Ministries? Perhaps many of you are asking those same questions. To help address this, I asked some of the men I meet with two questions: What is the value of the ministry to them? What is the most significant thing they have learned? Below is how they responded. The value of the ministry to me • Fellowship and friendship are the first things that come to mind when I reflect on our meetings. They provide a safe harbor where we purposely take time out of the busyness of life to celebrate Jesus in our lives and learn how to become better Christian men. – RT • Jesus and a better understanding of God's word. I am coming to understand that all Christians are called to “fish for people” by knowing and telling our own story. – DK • I am able to share the challenges in my life and receive support and advice from another man. – DS I am more motivated to study the Word of God on a weekly basis. I also appreciate hearing the perspective of another brother who is humbly and
seriously applying
the Word of God in his life. – MF
• I value being able to study the Bible with another man and learn things about and from the Bible that I did not know. The study helps me put God's word in my heart and maintain my focus on Jesus Christ. I am being prepared to work with other men on their faith journey. - TV The most significant thing I have learned • That the power of the Holy Spirit comes to each of us, and we need to recognize and embrace it. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot truly know Jesus nor learn the power of forgiveness. Being able to forgive allows us to love our fellow man and know God's love. – RT • I value being able to study the Bible with another man and learn things about and from the Bible that I did not know. The study helps me put God's word in my heart and maintain my focus on Jesus Christ. I am being prepared to work with other men on their faith journey. - TV |
• I value being able to study the Bible with another man and learn things about and from the Bible that I did not know. The study helps me put God's word in my heart and maintain my focus on Jesus Christ. I am being prepared to work with other men on their faith journey. - TV The most significant thing I have learned • That the power of the Holy Spirit comes to each of us, and we need to recognize and embrace it. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot truly know Jesus nor learn the power of forgiveness. Being able to forgive allows us to love our fellow man and know God's love. – RT • If I ask for God's help, he will give it to me. However, I must be patient and wait for his timing. I also learned that because I believe in the Son of God, I have eternal life. – DK
There are answers in the Bible for the issues I have in my personal life. – DS • I have learned that humility and patience founded on faith are essential in sharing one's perspective on what scripture means for our lives. What is especially inspiring is discovering anew the scriptural foundations for the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. – MF From my perspective, here is what it is all about • For those men struggling in their relationship with Christ; my goal is to help them become firm in their faith. • For those men who are committed Catholics, who love Christ and have a strong desire to grow as followers of Christ; my goal is to help them mature in their faith. • For those men like RT and DS who are eagerly following Christ, my goal is to help them find their niche in serving Christ. Where do you fit in? You and I both know that spiritual work like this is done through the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm counting on you to pray for me, these men, and this ministry. |
An Effective Tool Terry L. Vice I have been very pleased to be one of the men Rick Lentz is mentoring. He introduced me to an effective tool for our journey, The Catholic Topical Memory System by Rich Cleveland. www.emmausjourney.org The reason I find it to be such an effective tool is that each verse to be memorized is “hooked” to a broader heading. For example, the first heading in the book is “Christ the Center”. The associated verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” . The “hook” of “Christ the Center” helps maintain the verse in memory, and probably more importantly, helps one recall the verse when it is needed. I remember that the first verse I memorized as a new Christian, John 3:16 , was a real comfort to me on many occasions in my life. For those verses I memorize out of Cleveland 's book I get that same comfort. The book offers various questions and meditation material with each week's reading. These really aid in breaking open the Word of God, seeking its meaning, and truly placing that scripture in your heart. Prior to being exposed to this book, I was somewhat jealous of the knowledge others had of the Bible as they could effortlessly state verses from memory while in conversation. Now, I have the ability to quote verses. I have found this new knowledge is helpful when working with others in an evangelization setting. The additional knowledge I have gained from my work with Rick and from Cleveland 's book has proved invaluable in such situations. The book really lends itself to a missionary philosophy. In other words, as I gain knowledge and confidence with Cleveland 's book, I reach a point where it is time for me to mentor another man using the book. Likewise, that man reaches a similar point, and so on, and so on. This tool can help reach and strengthen many men. Please remember both Rick Lentz and Rich Cleveland in your prayers. |
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