The focus of the relationship was not so much on teaching as on prayer. Eighteenth century New England pastor Jonathan Edwards, and his wife Sarah, usually had one or more 'disciples' living in their home. This gave ample time for the learner to observe the quality of a marriage, personal spiritual dynamics, and the vigorous pursuit of pastoral activity. The present interest in mentoring highlights the impersonal attitudes and individualism that can be seen in society. Much of today's spiritual and theological training is done in classes.
Classes require less personal and relational contact.
They make fewer demands on the lecturer than does mentoring. Mentoring is an endeavour to bring back a personal touch in an impersonal, individualistic and spectator society. The Bible demonstrates a number of mentoring situations. Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Naomi and Ruth, Elizabeth and Mary, Barnabas and Paul, Paul and Timothy, Pricilla, Aquila and Apollos, and of course, Jesus and His disciples. The word mentoring does not occur in the Bible but the concept of mentoring does.