Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Farris:
Jeff, you teach at Bryan College, and in your book you tell a story about listening to students who were talking of the professors who really impacted their lives. And you heard lots of wonderful stories, but unfortunately, you weren’t one of the ones they were talking about. What did you learn from this, and what did you do?

Dr. Jeff Meyers
Mike, what you’re referring to is the epiphany that I describe in my new book, Handoff. I found that my students at Bryan College were impressed when I gave great lectures in class, but they were changed through personal interaction. When it came down to it, it was life-on-life influence that changed people.

So, my wife Danielle and I started having students over to the house, sometimes as a class, sometimes in small groups. Still, people wonder, and they’ve asked me a lot, “How could you do all that and keep up with your other responsibilities?” You know what I've found? It’s not as hard as I thought.

If someone says, “will you mentor me?” I give them an assignment—read this article or book, listen to this audio program and get back to me. If they do it, I know they’re serious. Then I ask, “What would your goal be for this relationship? Where do you want to be at the end?” Sometimes, we’re able to accomplish the goal with just one or two meetings. Sometimes it takes longer. But it allows us to work together in a way that matches both of our schedules.

Mike:
Jeff, I know that your work and your book will be an asset to any parent, any leader, anybody who works with young people. I recommend it very highly.