God places people in our lives at the right time for a reason. Some offer advice, while others challenge us by seeing our potential. The next generation is shaped by influence—it’s about who invests in them and whom they allow into their lives in return.

But who should we have in our lives? If I were speaking to a group of teenagers, I would encourage them to surround themselves with these three people (or groups of people). I would then share who these people are for me.

1. Someone beyond you.

A mentor speaks truth into your life and is further down the road than you.

Proverbs 11:14, “Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.”

A mentor does the following for you:

  • Prays for you
  • Asks hard questions
  • Leads with constructive criticism
  • Offers availability
  • Listens well and can be trusted
  • Gives you opportunities to grow and champion what God is doing in your life

A mentor isn’t perfect, but they model obedience and faithfulness to the Gospel. As a result, they become someone we watch, learn, and seek counsel from in life. They provide an abundance of Godly wisdom and guidance.

One day, I was riding back from lunch with one of these guys, and he said, “From an old guy to a young guy… quality time kids with your kids is important, but I really believe in quantity. Be there when they wake up and when they go to sleep. They need to see Dad.” I got back from lunch and wrote this down in my journal.

2. Someone beside you.

An accountability partner is essential in the life of a believer. 

Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”

An accountability partner may do the following:

  • You minister to each other.
  • You pray and memorize Scripture together.
  • You serve together.
  • They stand in the room with you when no one else will.
  • You both are seeking to love and pursue Jesus more consistently together.
  • They aren’t scared to call you out and love you.

An accountability partner is around the same age, gender, and life stage as you. The Christian life was never meant to be lived in silos. When Christ-followers isolate themselves and don’t lean into biblical accountability and community, we are so much more likely to fall into temptation, “hide” sin, and not grow spiritually. We must walk with wise brothers and sisters in Christ. When we don’t, we tend to go down roads we were never meant to go down.

3. Someone behind you.

A person who you are ministering to.

Proverbs 11:25, “A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.”

A person you are ministering to may have the following characteristics:

  • Struggling in life—they need prayer, counsel, encouragement, and, most importantly, a maturing Christ follower to walk with them.
  • Someone to care enough to hear their story. We all have been at this point.
  • If he/she is not a Christ-follower, he/she may need someone to clearly explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to accept Him as their Savior. They might need to hear it again.
  • If they are believers, they need someone who will commit to walking beside them through life’s ups and downs.

In these relationships, we will find it a blessing to the other person and us. May we not miss who God places in our life. Remember, as Dr. Seuss teaches in Horton Hears a Who, “A person’s a person no matter how small.”

Who is beyond you? Who is beside you? Who is behind you?