Discipling our Women

Summer has flown by, and fall is around the corner. School is starting! Whether you are homeschooling, private schooling, or taking the traditional public school or charter school route, learning and discipling are happening! 

This past week I had the joy of staying with special littles in my life. I am “Mama D,” “Grandma,” or “Babcia” (Polish word for grandma). Whatever they want to call me, I will answer to any of those. I love these people. Samuel is almost eight, and Jailee is nearly six. Their parents were out of town, and I had the privilege of taking care of them. This time included “meet the teacher day” and the first day of school. Wow! I haven’t done the first day of school in a long, long time. It was such a fun and exhausting time. I would not trade it for anything. We made some memories, and I am grateful for this sweet time. 

Before I went to take care of them, I had a meeting with a group of women at my church as we are planning the year of events and discipleship for our women. A year of learning/disciplining that prayerfully will meet and change the lives of the women who attend our church. 

It is a great responsibility and an incredible privilege to disciple our women. Many need encouragement today. Most need to know they aren’t alone. Honestly, in recent years, many of us have been brought low and need the living Word and our community of friends to help us continue to live out our faith!

Take a look at this familiar scripture:  

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Discipling our women must become a natural part of our lives. 

I recently read a quote, “Discipling involves transmitting the knowledge of God and his Word through every moment of life.” Some might suggest that discipleship and mentoring are the same thing. They go hand in hand. There are many suggestions and methods concerning how you mentor or disciple someone. The difference between mentoring and discipling is that while mentoring is generally coaching and giving advice to someone younger or less experienced in a job or life, discipling brings the spiritual aspect into mentoring. To quote my husband, Dr. Preston L. Nix, “You can mentor people without discipling. But you cannot disciple people without mentoring.”  

As we breathe, we should be discipling. Discipling should be a natural overflow of our maturing faith. As we mature in our walk with our Lord, discipling becomes a part of our lives. Start with your family.

Invite women in to see how you live your life. (Mentoring and discipling)

Living lives marked by discipling doesn’t mean:

• You and I have to teach the Bible study every semester. There should be a process where you disciple other women to begin discipling other women within your sphere of leadership. 
• It doesn’t mean we have to have it all together. Discipleship doesn’t mean we will always run this faith journey correctly, but your life will evidence you are focused on running the race well.
• You will have all the answers to every question.
• You will always be the one hosting and planning the events.
• You are creating clones of yourself.

Living lives marked by discipling does mean:

• You have your own walk with the Lord.
• You are intentional about discipling.
• You begin discipling family first.
• You are guided and led by the Word of God and His Spirit.
• You remain teachable and even learn from those you disciple and mentor.
• You are always authentic concerning your journey. Transparent with a few.

What should be a part of your discipling method:

• Prayer is a vital and essential part of your time together.
• Scripture permeates everything you do, guiding you and teaching the disciple how to apply God’s Word in every aspect of life.
• Women need to know there is flexibility – depending upon the season of life they are navigating, but loving accountability is involved.
• Building a deep relationship marked by trust is essential.
• Involving others in your community is a mark of a healthy discipling relationship.
• Discipling with integrity
• Always strive to walk in humility.
• Making certain as we disciple, we make application to daily life.
• Discipling is hard work and takes time and commitment.

Discipling a woman will alter her world and give her a kingdom perspective. We might never know the impact of our work on this side of heaven, but quite possibly (should the Lord tarry) generations will be changed because of your work disicpling your women.