Mentoring for Discipleship and Spiritual Growth: An Assessment of Cases in Bentiu District of the SDA Church in South Sudan

Abstract

 This study sought to explore experiences in mentoring for discipleship and spiritual growth
in Bentiu District of the SDA Church in South Sudan. The study involved three focus groups to receive
data. There were two groups composed of seven participants each. The third group had eight
participants, making a sample size of 22 respondents, selected randomly. Before venturing into the
field to collect the data, the researcher secured permission from the Adventist church authority.
Respondents signed the informed consent forms. Data analysis took place in the form of content
analysis in the sense that the researcher assembled common themes to answer the research
questions. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the youth in Bentiu District experienced
mentoring for discipleship and spiritual growth through spiritual programs such as public evangelistic
meetings, personal witnessing, small group meetings and through school programs. Women
experienced mentoring through convention programs, association of younger women in various
activities and through adult education programs. Special groups of people, also experienced the
mentoring in various ways. The study recommends that church leaders need to explore more ways of
mentoring the youth and the inexperienced by providing more trainings and involving them in spiritual
programs. The church leaders should encourage disadvantaged women to enroll in adult education
programs. Moreover, there is a need to integrate spiritual programs in the Adult Education programs
so that women will be well equipped for service in the church and in the community.