Mentorship and coaching is seen all throughout the Bible, but what is not talked about often is the sacrifice needed from both the mentor and the mentee. In this episode, Matt Maher takes us through a story of embarrassment and shame that shaped his faith walk and identified his need for a mentor. The biblical reference in the episode is based on Deuteronomy 34.
4 And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord…
Then to verse 9 - And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Moses had sinned against God and, even though God had said all along that he would use Moses to lead his people to the promised land, he didn’t allow Moses “into” the promised land. God showed Moses the completion of his vision, but didn’t allow Moses to see it through himself. He used Moses’s mentee, Joshua.
What would that look like for you? Would you be okay if God had given you a vision, but didn’t intend for you to complete that vision? Only to instigate it and be a part of pushing it along? We all assume we’re the hero of our own story, but when we realize we’re a small part of a much greater story, we release expectations and are more able to mentor and guide others, which is the way of Jesus. He mentored 12 through his entire ministry and in order to complete the vision God had for him he was required to die, much in the same way that Moses did. Of course, the people of that day thought that the vision died with Jesus, but for those of us who are followers of The Way, we know the good news that happened three days later. But, to the point of this episode, those that Jesus mentored founded the very church that still exists today.
So, leaders, reflect on who has a similar call and vision to your own that you can mentor.
For those who don’t have a mentor, seek one out through prayer. We can also help be a resource for you as we provide mentorship and coaching through the Worship Leader Institute. 
Here’s a great scripture to close us out:
1 Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- - - - - -
Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.
Who Is Matt Maher
A 9x Grammy nominee and a 5x GMA Dove Award winner, Matt Maher is a thought leader in the artistic, musical and songwriter community and music industry. Named an official Steinway artist in 2015, Matt has performed in front of more Papal events than any other artist, and releases his 12th studio album, “The Stories I Tell Myself” on October 21. He is the prolific songwriter behind well-known worship anthems like the RIAA Platinum certified “Lord, I Need You” and “Your Grace Is Enough” as well as multiple #1 radio singles: both the RIAA Gold certified “Because He Lives (Amen)” and “Alive and Breathing” and Crowder’s “Come As You Are” and Third Day’s “Soul On Fire”. His next single, “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) showcases his writing, recording and producing, and adds to his more than 1M career sales and streams over the past two decades. Maher embarks on his 12th headline tour in Spring 2023, is a native of Newfoundland Canada, and currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, Kristin, their three children and two pups.