Most of us want to be leaders. We want to make our mark for Christ and we want to champion others to do the same but, as women, we often tend to have trouble jumping into leadership. Some of us have trouble identifying where we are needed. Others of us are intimidated by leading groups of people or exerting authority. The good news is that there is a type of leadership that every believer is called to, equipped for and capable of. It’s also one of the most vital arenas of Christianity: discipleship. “You don’t have to start a new organization, or write a book or start a blog. Just make disciples.” David Platt Discipling just one woman, leading just one woman, is a tremendous act of obedience, faith and leadership. In fact, we should consider if we can ever be a leader without discipling someone. And we also should consider that when we are making disciples we will influence others to do the same. Imagine how a woman’s sanctification would progress if someone was ‘ready to share with (her) not only the gospel of God but also (their) own self, because (she) had become very dear to (them)?’ (1 Thessalonians 2:8) What would it do for a woman to know that she is very dear to you? To know that you prioritize your time to include her? That you are available to listen and are moved by her pain and genuinely share in her joy? How would she feel knowing you are willing to dig in the Word on an issue or will commit to pray for a need? This is relational discipleship and we see it modeled in the way Jesus interacted with his followers. Paul also took this model to heart. He wrote to Titus instructing older women to train younger women. From what I can tell Titus was an A+ pastor, caring deeply for those in his realm of responsibility, but younger women still needed the touch of their elders of the same sex. 
Young women or new believers long for someone who can look them in the eye and say ‘I’ve been there,’ or ‘I have failed in this arena many times but here’s what I’m learning,’ and ‘What a difficult situation. Remain faithful, my sister, while we pray for discernment.’ You are mandated to love her (John 13:34), take interest in her (Philippians 2:4), stir her up to good works (Hebrews 10:24), and to teach her what is good (Titus 2:3), to the best of your ability, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with honesty when you don’t know what her next step should be. While our first response is often an overwhelming sense of inadequacy let’s remember what 2 Corinthians 9:8 says ‘God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.’ Inaction caused by a lack of faith or confidence in what God can do through you is a powerful scheme of the devil. You are equipped. You have all you need to make an impact in a woman’s life. Give of yourself, your time, and your energy to just one woman who needs discipleship – a clear next step to the mandate of the Great Commission.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). Further reading : The Process For Making Disciples
Published February 12, 2016
