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Key Bible Verse: Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day (Acts 20:31). Bonus Reading:Acts 20:17–38

Businessman Jim Strawn responded to an appeal in our Little Rock, Arkansas, church for volunteers to serve as mentors in a public elementary school. He started working with Richard, a third grader, for an hour a week. For the first few meetings it seemed Richard was getting nothing out of the interaction. A few meetings later, Jim asked the administrator of the program whether this was worthwhile. "Oh, he loves it!" she replied. "He just doesn't know how to show it." Jim began working with Richard on reading and comprehension skills. A school counselor suggested that Richard attend an alternative school where he'd live five days a week at a camp just outside town. His mother couldn't pick him up on Fridays, so Jim did.

As their relationship grew stronger, and years went by, Jim had chances to talk with Richard about all kinds of issues—how to deal with girls, how to deal with jealously from friends because of his athletic ability, and how to handle—well, life. Jim found that mentoring requires becoming a "life coach." Today Richard is "on track" in high school, actively involved in sports and ROTC.

—Robert Lewis in The Church of Irresistible Influence

My Response: Something I could do to develop skills as a "life coach" is …

Thought to Apply: If you are given a chance to be a role model, … take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light.

—Tiger Woods (golfer)

Adapted from The Church of Irresistible Influence (Zondervan, 2001) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me to make my life count by becoming a disciple-maker in Your kingdom.

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