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***The goal of mentoring is to help the kids build a deep and meaningful relationship with God, to prepare them to study the Bible, and to get them ready to make their own decision to make Jesus Lord.  Build for the future - you want to help this child become an adult Christian who will stay faithful, contribute to the body, and impact the world. 

Getting Started as a Mentor

• It is preferable (but not necessary) to already have a relationship with the child and his/her family.
• Communicate with the youth ministry leaders and/or shepherds about the kid(s) you could potentially mentor.
• Make sure you are Kingdom Kids approved and complete a driving application.

Building a Relationship

• Building a strong relationship and great communication with the parents is crucial.
• Once you beginning mentoring a child, please arrange with their parents to have a meal together with the child and his/her parents so you can all get to know each other.
• Then work to build a relationship with the child, spending time on the phone talking and having fun together.
• The relationship should be one of fun.  It is as important as any other discipling relationship in the Kingdom.  Keep in mind that this may be the first experience these kids have in any discipling relationship, so make sure that it is excellent in every way!
• Be sure to follow all Kingdom Kids guidelines.  Although not required, you may want to have another disciple with you when you spend time with your child.  The best way to accomplish this is to hook up with another mentor and take two kids together with two mentors.  Be sure when doing this that each mentor is spending time with his/her child (not just having the two kids hang out together).  The goal is for YOU to build a deep and trusting relationship that will see them through their Bible studies into becoming a disciple.
• You should meet with your child once a week for a fun activity, dinner or lunch with their family, or attend a youth ministry event with them.  You need to commit to meeting with the child at least every other week with weekly phone calls.
• Until you build a trusting relationship, you should initially stay close to their house.  You could play a game outside their house or go to a nearby park or fast food restaurant.
• When setting up times together, it is important that you let your yes be yes and let your no be no.  Do not cancel times you have planned with the child unless your reasons are of dire importance and you have exhausted all other possible ways to work it out.  If you do cancel, communication is important with both the child and the parents.  Set up a new time to get together immediately.
• There should be at least one church-planned youth ministry activity per month.  Although mentors are not required to attend, this is a great opportunity for you to spend time with the child.  If you cannot attend, be sure to follow up with the child by asking what the event was all about.

Character Studies

• The character studies are for children who WANT TO STUDY THE BIBLE.  Do not study with them simply because he turned 12, his parents told you to do it, or you decide that it's time.  Our goal is to develop kids who decide they want to pursue a relationship with God.
• Character studies are enclosed in the mentoring packet.
• Be sure to read the introduction to the character studies and the "how to use character studies" sections.
• Character studies are not necessarily done in order.  Pick the topics that your child may need the most help with during that particular time in his life.
• As you build this relationship, it is important you (the mentor) share about your relationship with God including quiet times, answered prayers, and victories.
• Help them to see that your decision to become a disciple is the best decision you've ever made!
• As you begin the character studies, be sure to communicate with the parents about the direction you heading with specific studies.
• Encourage your child to begin to build relationships with the disciple teens.  This will become very important as they get closer to beginning the studies to become a Christian.
• As the child matures, it may be time for him to begin the Foundations of Faith (First Principles) studies.  This is different for every child and getting advice is crucial. 
• It is important to involve other disciple teens, youth leaders, youth workers/shepherds, and adult Christians in the Foundations of Faith studies.
• Seek advice!  Make it your goal to communicate regularly with the youth ministry leaders about the progress of the Bible studies. 
• Enjoy time with the child you are mentoring!  See how God has called you to be a part of this tremendous opportunity to eternally impact a young person's life.