07 It’s All About Relationships (Part 1): Mentoring and Discipleship in Missions

When I asked if I could take a mentoring photo incognito, they cracked up laughing.

Update 7 of the 21-Day Missions Prayer Guide

Scripture

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” — Titus 2:6–8 (NIV)

Reflection: The Relational Core of God’s Mission

In the culminating session of the OMF Leadership Development Intensive in Greece, we sat in a large circle as each of the forty participants shared their personal highlights from the eight-day event. 

A major theme slowly emerged: the value of relationships — mentor to leader, peer to peer, and the sense of familial fellowship that had grown among the missionaries.

Seeing Titus 2 in Real Time

As I listened and observed these interactions, I realized I was seeing Titus 2 lived out in real time. 

Seasoned mentors listened to the hearts of rising leaders, asked thoughtful questions, and offered wisdom with grace and humility. 

They didn’t lecture; they came alongside — helping these younger leaders discern, grow, and be “coached up” toward Christ’s model of leadership as shepherd, servant, steward, and sharer in the mission of God.

Sound Doctrine, Sound Lives

Paul’s letter to Titus reminds us that sound doctrine produces sound lives, shaping a community where faith is embodied through integrity and good works. 

The pattern of older believers investing in younger ones reflects how discipleship forms missional character—a living witness that makes “the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10).

Relationships That Reflect the Gospel

In its human dimension, God’s mission advances through relationships — through mentoring, spiritual friendship, and the formation of communities that reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Prayer Focus

• For spiritual mothers and fathers in missions — that they may be filled with wisdom, grace, and joy as they invest in others.

• For emerging leaders — to grow in faithfulness, humility, teachability, and deep communion with Christ.

• For mission organizations like OMF and SIM — to continue cultivating multicultural mentoring and relational community as essential expressions of their calling.

• For yourself — that God would expand and deepen your relationships, making them life-giving expressions of His mission in your daily context.

Closing

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement, dear readers! May our relationships reflect the love of Christ and promote God's mission in the world. 

The grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

— Rob

✅ Coming next: “It’s All About Relationships, Part 2 – Iron Sharpening Iron.”

👉 Read the full 21-Day Missions Prayer Guide »