“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

In the last week, I’ve been in at least four different conversations about disciple-making. But the most recent one, late this afternoon, was the only one that mentioned how disciple-making, mentoring, and leadership development all tend to benefit the discipler or mentor as well as the one being discipled or mentored. One of the beautiful things about this passage is that both of the iron objects benefit from the sharpening experience. Often, the reflection from the disciple verse in 2 Timothy is an image of a knife being sharpened against a whetstone, which benefits only the knife. The image Solomon gives us in this passage is of a mutual sharpening that benefits both tools. It is almost impossible not to benefit from pouring into another’s life. As we do, we are reminded of how God has worked in our lives and the lessons we’ve learned over the years. Those reflections drive our faith deeper. This verse also reminds us that we all need others in our lives—not just Facebook friends, but people we trust and who trust us to such a degree that we can open up and be honest about areas of life where we struggle. There’s a level of accountability that only comes when brothers and sisters in Christ are in a covenant relationship of honesty and trust. Today, sharpen and be sharpened. #BeTheEdge

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 NIV