Toolbox Tuesday | Discipleship with Melissa Kruger
Welcome back to Toolbox Tuesday! We love sharing fantastic resources to help you grow in your faith and ministry. Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Melissa Kruger’s book, "Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests." This book has personally been a HUGE asset to my discipleship relationships and my walk with Christ. I love Nancy Guthrie’s review of it, where she says,
“Melissa Kruger helps both the mentor and the mentee know where to start, what to cover, and how to make it work so that the mentoring relationship is a source of joy and growth for everyone involved.”
Why We Need Mentoring
The women in our communities and in our churches are hungry for belonging. In a recent article with TGC, Sam Allberry states that we live in a lonely age, citing a study that shows friendship has had a sharp decline. 10% of women report they don’t have a single friend and the percentage of women with 10 or more friends has declined from 28 to 11%.
In "Growing Together", Melissa addresses this crucial need in our faith communities: the need for genuine, deep, and transformative mentoring relationships. She highlights the biblical foundation for mentoring, showing how Scripture encourages believers to invest in one another’s spiritual growth. Through a series of practical steps, Melissa guides readers on how to move beyond superficial interactions to create relationships that are spiritually nourishing. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to foster a culture of mentorship in their church or community.
A Practical Guide to Mentoring
One of the standout features of "Growing Together" is its practical approach. Melissa doesn’t just discuss the importance of mentoring; she provides actionable steps to make it happen. The book includes discussion questions, practical tips, and relatable stories that illustrate key points. Whether you’re new to mentoring or a seasoned mentor, this book offers something valuable. Melissa’s approachable style makes the concepts accessible and achievable, encouraging readers to take the first steps toward building impactful mentoring relationships.
The book covers a range of topics essential for effective mentoring, including:
Foundations of Mentoring: Understanding the biblical basis for mentoring and why it’s vital for spiritual growth.
Building Relationships: Tips for establishing trust and openness in mentoring relationships.
Spiritual Growth: How to encourage and support spiritual growth in others.
Practical Advice: Real-life examples and practical advice on navigating common challenges in mentoring.
Discussion Questions: Thought-provoking questions to guide conversations and deepen understanding.
How can you use this book?
Here are a few ways you can incorporate this resource into your women’s ministry:
Mentoring Programs: Use the book as a guide to start or enhance mentoring programs in your church. Its practical advice and discussion questions can help structure your mentoring sessions.
Small Group Studies: Consider using "Growing Together" for a small group study. The book’s format lends itself well to group discussions and collective learning.
Leadership Training: Equip your ministry leaders with the tools and knowledge from the book to foster a culture of mentoring within your church.
Melissa Kruger’s "Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests" is an exceptional resource for anyone looking to deepen their mentoring relationships and foster spiritual growth within their community. By providing a biblical foundation, practical advice, and real-life examples, Melissa offers a comprehensive guide to effective mentoring. I highly recommend adding this book to your ministry toolkit.
As always, I am SO thankful for your partnership in the Gospel as we seek to love and serve our city together! Keep checking back for updates—we’ve got some exciting news coming SOON about our first city-wide conference in October 2025!
*Article mentioned above: "The Gospel Coalition. 'Belonging as an Apologetic.' Accessed June 26, 2024. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/belonging-apologetic/"
