50 Days to More

A Seven Week Campaign to Begin 2018

Week 4: Investing in Uncommon Mentorship Which Promotes You

Day Twenty-Eight  (2/3/18): Types of Protégés
Recommended Reading: Proverbs 9:9-12

There are a few characteristics that define the type of protégé we are. Today, we’re going to identify the four types of protégés that exist. As we go through these, think about what type you are and what type you might like to be.

1. The passive protégé

This type of protégé is an observer. They listen...when it’s convenient. They aren’t necessarily overflowing with questions for their mentor or desiring to learn from their wisdom. They may listen to their mentor and do what he/she says...when it’s convenient. This type of protégé will take notes during sermons and lessons, but only when they feel like it. They’ll study sermons and books...when they can fit it into their schedule. The passive protégé is simply not passionate about receiving the wisdom that their mentor wants to give them. Tragically, the passive protégé usually ends up failing and becoming bitter.

2.The parasite protégé

The parasite protégé is interested in promotion, influence, and the advantages of mentorship. However, they aren’t interested in correction. Although they tell their mentor to correct them if needed, they often run when that time comes.

You will never know the true spiritual maturity of a person until they are corrected. Do they accept correction and work to fix the issue, or does pride hinder them from evaluating themselves?

The parasite protégé wants to profit from mentorship but does not want to pay the price of the investment. They want to receive what the mentor has earned, but they don’t want to learn what the mentor has learned. Mentorship is not meant to be a hand-out, it’s meant to be hand up. The parasite protégé has trouble seeing this.

3. The productive protégé

The productive protégé is also referred to as the “platinum protégé” because they are more valuable than gold. This protégé recognizes the achievements of their mentor and wants to pursue their wisdom. They refuse to make major decisions without consulting their mentor’s wisdom. The productive protégé views their mentor as a gift from God and understands the mentor’s value. They demonstrate honor continually and passionately.

4. The prodigal protégé

This final protégé is usually quite dishonoring to their mentor. Once they think they’ve gotten all they can get from their mentor, they quickly move on. They also tend to move on at the first sign of correction, like the parasite protégé. This protégé leaves when they see their mentor going through a season of apparent weakness. The prodigal protégé doesn’t understand that a relationship with your mentor is supposed to last through various seasons of life.

Have any of these types of protégés spoken to you? Whether you’re trying to decide which type of protégé you are or thinking about what type you want to be, pray about it today. Although each protégé is different and some characteristics may differ, we all fall into one of those categories.

Being a protégé is more than just a title. It’s more than learning. We have to be active in our relationship with our mentors and give them the honor they deserve. The type of protégé you are directly affects the increase you will see in your life!

“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15 (NLT)

Compiled by Christine Thompson & Meredith Hobbs
Taken from the Sermon Series “7 Steps to One Thousand Times More”
By Pastor Timothy Coats
Family First Church - Spring Hill, Florida