When God Sends a Mentor: How Life Coaching is Rooted in the Bible

This post is the first in a series about the role mentors and spiritual mothers play in our lives. While the concept of “life coaching” has gained popularity in recent years, the practice of elder guidance and spiritual oversight is as ancient as Jethro advising Moses or Naomi mentoring Ruth. The Bible illustrates the value of such relationships and reveals God’s divine design for coaching, mentorship, and spiritual growth.

What is a Mentor or Life Coach?

Mentors come in all shapes and sizes, equipped with diverse giftings and callings. Over my 50-plus years of adulthood, God has sent me mentors who were like mothers and others who were far from motherly. Yet, each one was uniquely appointed by God to impart wisdom, principles, and, yes, even correction when I needed it most.

I thank God regularly for the women who invested in me with His love—a love that transformed my life and helped shape me into who I am today. Without their influence, I would not be the person I am in His Kingdom.

What Does the Bible Say About Mentoring?

Mentorship is not a modern concept; it’s woven throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul describes the Five-Fold Ministry in Ephesians 4:11-12, emphasizing that spiritual leaders are given to nurture, equip, and strengthen believers:

“And he has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) TPT

In addition to this, Paul emphasizes in Titus 2:3-4 the importance of older women teaching younger women—a biblical model of life coaching.

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness… that they may teach the young women.” (Titus 2:3-4)

God’s design for mentorship is clear: it is about imparting wisdom, offering accountability, and fostering spiritual growth so that every believer becomes a dynamic Kingdom contributor.

Ruth and Naomi: A Biblical Model of Mentorship

One of the most powerful examples of mentorship in the Bible is the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi reveals the depth of their bond and highlights what makes a God-ordained mentoring relationship successful:

“And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Notice Ruth’s unwavering respect, love, and trust for Naomi. She willingly followed Naomi into an uncertain future, trusting her wisdom and guidance. Together, they stepped into God’s purpose, and their mutual commitment opened the door for blessings they couldn’t have imagined.

God’s Design for Mentorship

For a coaching or mentoring relationship to thrive, there must be:

1. Mutual Respect and Trust: Both mentor and mentee must value each other’s role in the relationship.

2. Love and Accountability: Mentors invest in their mentee’s growth, and mentees must be willing to accept correction and guidance

3. A Teachable Spirit: A mentee must approach the relationship with humility, ready to grow and learn.

Compare the relationships of Ruth and Naomi versus Abraham and Lot. Ruth and Naomi were bound by mutual love and respect, and their relationship flourished for the Kingdom. In contrast, Abraham, though a loving mentor, could not guide Lot, who lacked a teachable spirit. Their relationship did not fulfill God’s Kingdom purpose.

Do You Need a Mentor?

If you’re feeling the Holy Spirit’s tug, here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider seeking a mentor:

1. What areas of my life need growth?

• Do I need help achieving specific goals?

• Are there areas where I need greater accountability?

• What godly attributes do I admire in others that I’d like to develop?

2. Am I teachable?

• How do I handle correction and criticism?

• Am I ready to submit to someone’s guidance for my growth?

3. Who has God already placed in my life?

• Often, God plants mentors in the field where He has placed you.

• Is there someone in your circle of influence who has already been speaking into your life?

• Do you feel a natural connection to someone who inspires you to grow in Christ?

In my own life, God has always sent mentors at the right time—women like Naomi to my Ruth. These relationships were often born out of prayer and burden as God knit my heart with my mentors.

Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

God’s mentorship model is a beautiful blend of His wisdom and grace. He places people in our lives to help us grow, hold us accountable, and guide us into our purpose. If you feel the need for a mentor, start with prayer. Ask God to reveal the person He has already prepared to help you grow in your faith and fulfill your calling.

Be willing to step into this relationship with humility, respect, and a teachable heart. And if you’ve been blessed with godly mentors, consider becoming one yourself to pour into the next generation. As I often say: “Who will you allow to mentor you, and who are you willing to mentor? The Kingdom grows when we are willing to invest in one another.”

If you are in leadership or a minister’s wife and feel the need for guidance, prayerfully consider reaching out to Pursuing Wholeness. As a Mental Health Coach and Mentor, I am here to walk alongside you and help you navigate your journey toward spiritual and emotional health. You can find more resources and connect with me at www.pursuingwholeness.net.

If this post has resonated with you, share your thoughts in the comments. Who has been a mentor in your life, and how have they shaped you? Let’s honor these God-sent relationships together.