263. Building Community and Breaking Barriers in Mentoring with Grant Skeldon
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In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza and Grant Skeldon dive into the significance of mentorship and discipleship, especially for young people who have faced tough challenges. They share personal stories, insights on starting a new church in Nashville, and the essential role of community in building meaningful connections. The conversation highlights the importance of creating lasting memories in mentorship and overcoming common obstacles that hinder individuals from engaging in these relationships. Zachary and Grant discuss the challenges and rewards of discipleship, touching on barriers like time constraints and feelings of inadequacy. They stress the power of sharing personal testimonies and stories as key mentoring tools. The conversation also explores the stages of discipleship, from being a learner to becoming a multiplier, while underscoring the value of hospitality and warmth in relationship-building. Ultimately, they reflect on the hard work of discipleship and its rewarding potential to make a lasting impact.

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Takeaways: 

• Mentorship can significantly impact young people's lives.
• Creating a safe environment is crucial for trust in mentorship.
• Community is essential for effective discipleship.
• People are more open to the gospel during transitions.
• Connection is more important than content for the next generation.
• Core memories enhance the mentoring experience.
• It's important to connect mentees with caring adults.
• Showing up consistently builds strong relationships.
• Overcoming feelings of inadequacy is key to mentoring.
• Discipleship should focus on building relationships, not just teaching. Many people feel they don't have time for discipleship.
• Feeling unqualified is a common barrier to mentoring.
• Discipleship can happen in everyday life, not just formal settings.
• Your testimony can be a powerful tool for discipleship.
• Sharing failures can create deeper connections than sharing successes.
• Hospitality is key in building relationships with the next generation.
• Discipleship involves multiple stages: learner, leader, disciple maker, multiplier.
• It's important to invest in others, not just for their sake but for the sake of future generations.
• Discipleship is hard work, but it is worth the effort.
• Building relationships at the table can lead to transformative experiences.

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Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:00 The Impact of Mentorship and Discipleship

04:33 Mentoring Kids from Difficult Backgrounds

07:01 Starting a New Church: Way Church in Nashville

11:53 The Importance of Community in Discipleship

17:14 Creating Core Memories in Mentorship

23:00 Overcoming Roadblocks in Mentorship

24:20 Overcoming Barriers to Discipleship

41:09 The Stages of Discipleship

46:37 The Hard Work of Discipleship

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