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Spiritual Mentoring: A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction
Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens . . . another. (Proverbs 27:17) As we seek God together we come to know him more deeply. That's the idea behind Spiritual Mentoring. Spiritual mentoring is an ages-old practice that Keith Anderson and Randy Reese introduce in a way that fits life as we know it today. Spiritual mentoring is not only for pastors or saints. Mentors are ordinary Christians who are willing to enter into a faith relationship with another person who wants to grow. Likewise, those who are mentored are not seminary candidates but simply followers of Jesus who long for guidance in their spiritual journey. In this book Anderson and Reese show you how to mentor and be mentored as they introduce, chapter by chapter, the work of a different classical spiritual writer, including These writers offer timeless insights from centuries past, while Anderson and Reese help you put their teaching into practice today to grow closer to Jesus in the company of another believer. If you want to learn how to help younger Christians grow while stretching your own faith, or if you want to tap into the experience of a Christian friend who is farther along the road of faith, this is the book that will get you started.
191 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1999
47 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 12, 2021
Anderson and Reese argue for an "informal" (yet structured) approach to Spritual Direction. This approach allows all Christians, and not just the highly educated or experienced, to journey with one another and explore the questions of Spiritual Direction. They define these as: 1) Who is God? (Intimacy) 2) Who am I? (Identity) 3) What is my unique voice for the Kingdom? (Mission and Calling).
Along the way, the authors draw on important figures in Christian History (e.g. John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila) for help in understanding the spiritual life as a journey.
Along the way, the authors draw on important figures in Christian History (e.g. John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila) for help in understanding the spiritual life as a journey.
September 27, 2025
I had this book as a textbook for a class and was very disappointed that the book does not base ‘Spitirual Mentoring’ from Biblical examples/principles/models but pulls from men and women from church history, mostly monastic types and their writings. I am not a fan of monasticism for several reasons. Namely, their hermeneutics being mostly allegorical, unbiblical views of how they treated their bodies (extensive strict fasts and whiping themselves, especially in the Augustinian tradition. This is probably why Monastics did not live long), and their philosophy being saturated in Greek philosphy of various types, which bled into Mysticism to name a few. This was a major drawback for me. In my opinon, a Biblical theology of Spiritual mentoring or cases studies of spiritual mentoring in the Bible would be a way better avenue to go.
January 30, 2011
This book covers the basics of spiritual mentoring from both the point of view of the mentor and also from the perspective of the one under spiritual direction. The authors use writings of various classics from Christian history to highlight the stages such as attraction, creating a hospitable or safe environment for growth and spiritual disciplines. The book focuses on the task of spiritual mentoring as a way for the "mentoree" to understand who God is, who they are and what their calling is in light of that information.
I wish there were a way to give this book 3.5 stars. I think it is better than a three star review might imply. There is a lot of helpful information in here, including descriptions and explanations of various types of mentoring and reviews of a variety of mentoring theories.
I wish there were a way to give this book 3.5 stars. I think it is better than a three star review might imply. There is a lot of helpful information in here, including descriptions and explanations of various types of mentoring and reviews of a variety of mentoring theories.
September 26, 2014
Best book I've ever read on the subject of spiritual mentoring. Packed with helpful suggestions and questions. Saturated with spiritual wisdom and insight. Clearly, Spiritual Mentoring needs to be on the shelf of every mentor or spiritual director. It should also be read by those seeking mentoring.
Anderson explores centuries of spiritual wisdom and experience from the rich history and heritage of spiritual mentoring and direction in the church of Christ. The spiritual disciplines are thoroughly discussed and reviewed. I love the questions--for both mentor and mentoree--following each section or chapter.
Now that I've read it in Kindle, I want to own it in hardcover. I know I'll be referring to it that much.
Anderson explores centuries of spiritual wisdom and experience from the rich history and heritage of spiritual mentoring and direction in the church of Christ. The spiritual disciplines are thoroughly discussed and reviewed. I love the questions--for both mentor and mentoree--following each section or chapter.
Now that I've read it in Kindle, I want to own it in hardcover. I know I'll be referring to it that much.
June 23, 2012
Excellent TOOL for anyone desiring to be a Mentor or anyone in need of Mentoring!! This is TOTALLY based on BIBLICAL Principles!!! Mentors are actually ORDINARY Christians who are willing to enter into a faith relationship with another person who WANTS TO GROW!! In addition, this book briefly looks at the lives of some of the "Saints" of old such as Teresa of Avila, Augustine, John of The Cross...and, most of all, JESUS CHRIST!! The working of the HOLY SPIRIT is the primary focus in the Mentor/Mentee Relationship!!! I highly recommend this book!!!
April 20, 2019
I got this book while attending a course on the teacher as a mentor for my Church’s Sunday School. The speaker there made a good point that kids nowadays can get any information they want from the internet; what they really need is to have someone they trust who can guide them. In this way, a teacher has to be a mentor as well. This was one of the books on mentoring that was recommended.
Spiritual Mentoring goes through the basics of what is mentoring and the elements that it consists of. When appropriate, the book talks about Augustine, Aelred of Rievaulx, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa or Avila, and Madame Jeanne Guyon and their contributions to the understanding of Christian mentoring. However, if you’re looking for a biography of the aforementioned Christians, you would be mistaken – they are only referenced when appropriate.
The book defines spiritual mentoring as the relationship between the mentor and the mentoree that helps to advance the mentoree’s faith in Christ. For this to happen, there needs to be trust, intimacy, accountability, and empowerment. What struck me most deeply was the section on “imperfections commonly found in beginners”, found from The Dark Night by John of the Cross. The first on the list was spiritual pride. As the book writes:
As someone who really enjoys theology and debate, this is something that I have to be extremely cautious about. It’s very easy to have pride at knowing more than others that it overtakes the purpose of studying the Bible. The other points made were very prescient as well, and it made me want to read The Dark Night.
This was a great book. It’s packed full of information and each section ends with points for both mentors and mentorees to consider. I found it way more helpful than any of the Intentional Disciple Making Church materials by Benny Ho, and would recommend this book over those.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Spiritual Mentoring goes through the basics of what is mentoring and the elements that it consists of. When appropriate, the book talks about Augustine, Aelred of Rievaulx, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa or Avila, and Madame Jeanne Guyon and their contributions to the understanding of Christian mentoring. However, if you’re looking for a biography of the aforementioned Christians, you would be mistaken – they are only referenced when appropriate.
The book defines spiritual mentoring as the relationship between the mentor and the mentoree that helps to advance the mentoree’s faith in Christ. For this to happen, there needs to be trust, intimacy, accountability, and empowerment. What struck me most deeply was the section on “imperfections commonly found in beginners”, found from The Dark Night by John of the Cross. The first on the list was spiritual pride. As the book writes:
“These beginners feel so fervent and diligent in their spiritual exercises and undertakings that a certain kind of secret pride is generated in them which begets a complacency with themselves and their accomplishments, despite the fact that holy works do of their very nature cause humility.”
As someone who really enjoys theology and debate, this is something that I have to be extremely cautious about. It’s very easy to have pride at knowing more than others that it overtakes the purpose of studying the Bible. The other points made were very prescient as well, and it made me want to read The Dark Night.
This was a great book. It’s packed full of information and each section ends with points for both mentors and mentorees to consider. I found it way more helpful than any of the Intentional Disciple Making Church materials by Benny Ho, and would recommend this book over those.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
May 9, 2021
This is not quite what I expected. However, it is a good tool to learn how to be a mentor. In our church having a disciplining partner is key in our walk with God. The Bible is full of examples of one another relationships. Having someone regularly in our life to keep each other sharpened for God's will and purpose enables us to endure what life brings. The book is extremely dense, but informative about the nine types of mentoring relationships.
January 15, 2024
Finished reading this book that was part of a theology class I was taking. The books gives some great insight on how to effectively mentor spiritually. I learned many tips and ideas I will take with me as I work with women in my church and community. The one thing I think I learned most was to allow the mentor to choose you as a mentor and to not assume that because you are now filled with all this knowledge that you'd be the best person to mentor someone.
February 5, 2018
The Christian faith is an imitative faith. "Follow me" may be it's simplest description. Powerful read on important relationships in our overall spiritual growth. One of the best quotes, "Growth usually happens not with great speed, but with great depth."
September 22, 2017
Long and dry. Some golden nuggets but you really have to sift through a lot to find it.
January 4, 2022
Good for counselling. Loved this book and the way Christian counselling is applied.
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February 26, 2017I really enjoyed reading this book as I continue to mature spiritually. Having read several books on Spiritual Disciplines, this was my first on Spiritual Mentoring. I enjoyed the approach the authors took by introducing excerpts from their guest list of seven conversation partners and mentors who lived between the fourth and seventeenth centuries, and from the Bible including the teachings of Jesus and John the Baptist. We often think it's the voices of today who know the most, but this book clearly encouraged not to discount what they had to say, much of which lives on today.
I enjoyed many of the stories and lessons of the seven conversation partners – each offered something that touched me spiritually. I especially enjoyed excerpts from Teresa of Avila’s The Way of Perfection, Dwelling Place and The Interior Castle which offered her view points on a life of prayer and spirituality. She was very interested in helping spiritual novices learn how to ready themselves for learning, listening and praying. John of the Cross was her mentoree and later became her mentor. John wrote The Ascent of Mount Carmel in which he stated that each spiritual step requires a purification “in order to reach union with God in perfect hope and charity” . . . that the authors refer to as ”clearing the pathway of impediments” likening it to John the Baptist who said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23). They further explained that “In the ancient world a servant would precede the advent of royalty by running ahead to clear the road of debris or obstructions, thus making the pathway safe for those who followed. The metaphors of debris and the road are significant. To get on the road means you have to clear the path of debris. John’s message was for responsiveness: “Get ready for the coming of the Lord.” We are then asked, “What is the debris to be cleared from your life in preparation for the coming of the Lord? Debris might refer to those things in the past that get in your way . . . guilt, memories, old habits, an old self-image, old dreams or old ways of thinking. Any of these things may obstruct your clear passage on the road to spiritual maturity.”
Many of the lessons throughout the centuries contained herein will benefit me as I continue to mentor incarcerated and ex-offender women.
I would recommend this book to people who, like me, enjoy studying the history and origin of topics.
I enjoyed many of the stories and lessons of the seven conversation partners – each offered something that touched me spiritually. I especially enjoyed excerpts from Teresa of Avila’s The Way of Perfection, Dwelling Place and The Interior Castle which offered her view points on a life of prayer and spirituality. She was very interested in helping spiritual novices learn how to ready themselves for learning, listening and praying. John of the Cross was her mentoree and later became her mentor. John wrote The Ascent of Mount Carmel in which he stated that each spiritual step requires a purification “in order to reach union with God in perfect hope and charity” . . . that the authors refer to as ”clearing the pathway of impediments” likening it to John the Baptist who said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23). They further explained that “In the ancient world a servant would precede the advent of royalty by running ahead to clear the road of debris or obstructions, thus making the pathway safe for those who followed. The metaphors of debris and the road are significant. To get on the road means you have to clear the path of debris. John’s message was for responsiveness: “Get ready for the coming of the Lord.” We are then asked, “What is the debris to be cleared from your life in preparation for the coming of the Lord? Debris might refer to those things in the past that get in your way . . . guilt, memories, old habits, an old self-image, old dreams or old ways of thinking. Any of these things may obstruct your clear passage on the road to spiritual maturity.”
Many of the lessons throughout the centuries contained herein will benefit me as I continue to mentor incarcerated and ex-offender women.
I would recommend this book to people who, like me, enjoy studying the history and origin of topics.
May 7, 2013
Biblical, practical advice on mentoring and being mentored. Some of the presentation struck me as a little contrived, but overall it's a helpful book, and I found the questions to mentors and mentees useful.
May 9, 2015
Challenging book that helps the reader understand how to hear God (and help others to do the same)...and then to speak what is heard in your own unique voice. I loved the weaving of voices of those who lived hundreds of years ago--with such passion for God.
July 11, 2007
Solid advice for offering companionship to someone as a spiritual director. Nice bibliography of related resources at the back. And questions to ask your mentee.
May 18, 2016
I devoured this book with tagging of pages and underlining of potent points to apply to my life.
July 5, 2015
Read for a class, very practical, was good to work through as a group.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews