The document summarizes the Buddy System being implemented at the author's organization to foster mentoring relationships between older (Y4) and younger (Y1) members. The key aspects are: 1) Y4 members will be paired with 1-2 Y1 members and expected to meet monthly for activities and weekly for check-ins to provide accountability, commitment of time, and motivation for the Y1 members. 2) Choosing buddies involves prayer and looking for members who are faithful, available, industrious, teachable, and have a heart for God. 3) Warnings are given to keep the focus on growing closer to Christ, clearly define the relationship, and take responsibility

1. The Buddy System
24MAR2012

2. What is the Buddy System?
The ‘buddy’ system is defined as an
intentional relationship between a Y4-Y1, with
the objective of sharing God’s love with each
other through lifestyle examples.
E.g.: Jesus Christ prayed, ate meals,
travelled with his disciples. He taught them,
disciplined them, encouraged them. He led
his ministry with them. He spent time with
them, and they with him.

3. Why is it important?
1. 2 takeaways from your time in the BB:
a. Relationship with God
b. Relationship with each other
2. Opportunity to show Personal Love
3. No Y1 is left behind
4. Basis for Christian Mentorship

4. What is the Biblical basis?
 Moses invested in Joshua, Caleb and Aaron.
 Elijah called Elisha to 'be with him' and Elisha carried on the prophetic
legacy with a double portion of Elijah's spiritual power (2 Kings 2:9).
 Paul mentored Timothy and Titus (2 Timothy 2:2)
 Jesus called twelve disciples to be with him, to send them out to
preach, and to have authority over demons. (Mark 3:14)

5. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We
had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but
with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong
opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,
nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God
to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who
tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to
cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people,
not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have
asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we
loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God
but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and
hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we
preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how
holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know
that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you
into his kingdom and glory.

6. What can we learn from Paul’s example?
 v.1: our relationship will bear fruit.
 v.2a: sometimes we are rejected, hurt.
 v.2b: but God is our helper, even when things don’t go according to plan.
 v.3: Know that our motives are pure…
 v.4: because we have been approved by God, entrusted the Gospel: we seek to
please Him, not our Sec Ones.
 v.5: and God knows our heart inside out.
 v.6: As Admin, we could ‘force’ the Sec Ones to listen to whatever we say…
 v.7: But instead we choose to humble ourselves, to be like them; like a Mother and
her child.
 v.8: We love you! Enough to share the good news of Christ, and also our personal
lives as well.
 v.9: We sacrifice our time and resources for your sake, without seeking
repayment.
 v.10: So that one day you will bear witness, and become examples yourself!
 v.11: You will realize that we treated you as a Father treats his child.
 v.12: encouraging, comforting, and urging you towards a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ himself.

7. The Y4-Y1 Buddy System 2012
1. Four Key Focuses
2. How to Choose a Buddy?
3. A Few Warnings
4. What Happens Next?

8. 1. Four Key Focuses
 Accountability
 Commitment
 Manpower
 Motivation

9. Accountability
 Formation of a Buddy System Committee (BSC):
 4 Wing Commanders + DY-Operations.
 Reports directly to CSM + Officers
 Monthly checks on all Y4 buddies. Spot-checks on Y1s.
 Organizes and promotes possible Buddy-Activities.

10. Commitment
 Y4 Buddies will have to commit until August 2012.
 Monthly meet-ups (Compulsory)
 Lunch/Dinner
 Wing Outings
 Phone-calls
 Weekly interactions (Own-time, own target)
 SMSs
 Online chatting
 Talking during Parades
 Christian Mentorship (eventually)
 Praying together
 Quiet-Time together

11. Manpower
 No difference in commitment between Y4 IP/Express.
 1 Y1 : 1 Y4 Buddy, but 1 Y4 Buddy can have > 1 Y1 Buddy.
 Non-Christian Y1s must have Christian Buddies.

12. Motivation
 No-one can motivate you except yourself, or God, if you ask Him to
plant a desire in your heart.
 It’s about leaving a legacy of love behind.
 This Buddy System is NON-COMPULSORY.

13. 2. How do we choose someone to mentor?
Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life:
RT "@RickWarren: 2 TIm. 2:1-7 F.A.I.T.H.qualities I look for in guys I'll
mentor: Faithful,Available,Industrious,Teachable,Heart for God."
F.A.I.T.H.:
 Faithful
 Available
 Industrious
 Teachable
 Heart for God

14. How to choose a buddy?
 Prayer
 Familiarity
 Personality
 Intentions

15. 3. A Few Warnings
1. Christ must be the aim/goal in any relationship between two people. If not, the tendency is
that people end up getting emotionally hurt. Why did/didn’t you do this? Don’t you care about
how I feel? I have sacrificed so much for you, why haven’t you done the same? We are by
nature selfish beings, but we must remember that the end-goal of discipleship is NOT to grow
closer to one another, but for each of us to grow closer to Christ. The by-product of a buddy-
relationship is friendship, love, and concern for each other.
2. Be very specific and careful of how you define your relationship with your Y1 Buddies,
especially the first time you meet them. Sincerely explain to them the reasons why you are
doing this, and what kind of activities they may come to expect over the next few months. Ask
for their permission, and do NOT force them to do anything they do not want to do.
3. When looking after Juniors, I always remember the verse from Mark 9:42, where Jesus warns
his disciples of the consequences of NOT taking care of his children well: “If anyone causes
one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for
them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the
sea.” It is a stern warning that these Y1s belong to Christ, and if we bring them away from
Him, rest-assured He will discipline us eventually.
4. When in doubt, pray.

16. 4. What Happens Next?
1. Buddy Application Form to fill up.
a) Deadline for submission is Wed, 28th March, 3pm, Koi Pond.
b) You can pass your form to any of the KAH + BSC during the week.
c) If we don’t receive your form, you’re simply telling us that you don’t
want a Buddy.
2. Next Parade: 31st March: Enrolment Parade Rehearsal.
a) Buddy-time
b) Note-writing

17. QUESTIONS?