“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17 NIV
We all know the familiar story of Mary, Matha and Lazarus who were friends of Jesus. He enjoyed going to their home. I’m talking about the account in Luke 10:38-42 ESV. 38 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
I think Martha gets a bad rap a lot of times. She was doing something good—she was quite literally serving Jesus! I can identify with her. I think Jesus understands her role in the home and being the hostess, but she is overlooking something important. She was so busy trying to serve the Lord that she missed listening to Him and learning from his words. Does that sound familiar? However, Mary chose to be still and sit at his feet.
When I was editing curriculum for Girls Ministries, we had a lesson on Martha and Mary. Dr. Hollis Gause was our theological editor, and he pointed out Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet was the posture of a student sitting at the feet of a teacher or rabbi. It was recorded the same way in scripture about Paul sitting at the feet of Gamaliel. In Acts 22:3 ESV: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel[b] according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers. Gamaliel was the Jewish law teacher who taught Paul. It was unheard of for a Jewish rabbi to teach in a household of women who were not relatives. Notice Jesus disregards the status quo of that day. He doesn’t provide the answer Martha expected, but at the same time he doesn’t devalue her hospitability. Instead, he focuses on Mary’s choice of discipleship—learning from him. This is the main issue of discipleship for all of us. Martha is concerned with “many things” and while her activity isn’t “wrong” in the context of discipleship, “learning from Him” would allow her to have a deeper walk with the Lord.
Mary was intentional. She chose the good part, to sit and learn at the feet of Jesus. What a beautiful way for Jesus to demonstrate how he values women! I guess the question to ask ourselves is, “How can I be an intentional disciple of Jesus?”
We need to understand discipleship is a life-long process of learning how to obey Jesus and resembling Him more and more through obedience. The following are three principals we can follow to become more effective on our discipleship journey:
Principals of Discipleship
Teach obedience and accountability
Jesus said, “teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Our discipleship should always be rooted in obedience to the Lord. We’ve got to be careful that we’re not just teaching information to those we’re discipling but training them to obey the Lord. We must obey the commands in God’s Word and lead others to do the same. As we grow and depend on Christ, we must depend on each other. Accountability is part of God’s plan and will help us to be healthier and more effective in our Christian Walk. It is a process that requires us to invite the Lord into our hearts, respond to His correction and allow others to speak into our lives. We need to develop relationships with other women to have accountability.
Make it plain and biblical.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Keep the main thing the main thing. The Great Commission is very plain in telling us what we must do.
When discipling others, we’ve got to reach out to all ethnicities, backgrounds and educational levels. The Scripture doesn’t say, “one nation,” but “all nations.” Our method must be grounded on God’s Word.
Encourage a culture of women discipling women – reproducing and multiplying
In Titus 2:3 Paul tells the older women to teach the younger women. He uses the word training which implies time and commitment. We’ve got to invest in other women. We must become vulnerable and get close enough to people to have a connection with them. Through that connection, they will grow and learn in the Lord.
We must model that before them and show them practical ways to follow Him. Give them the skills and experience they need so they can replicate it with others. This is where we can encourage women in the local church to care for others and advance the kingdom in one on one or small group discipling relationships.
You may be wondering, “What are some things we can do in our church that would promote a culture of women discipling women?”
Let me share a few ideas for you to consider:
Consider the different kinds of women in your church. Are there groups being overlooked or neglected? Are there spiritually mature women who could be discipling others?
Consider spending time with women who appear to be different from you. Proverbs 27:17 NLT comes into play: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. We learn from one another and grow spiritually when we expand our circle. Don’t be afraid to step out of your friend group and approach someone who is totally different.
Consider spending time with non-believers. Invite them to your church events and make them feel welcome. Maybe you can invite them to a Bible study. Find creative ways to bring the gospel to those who need it. Be open to the people you engage with regularly (example: the cashier at the local grocery store, your hair stylist, etc.).
Who can communicate the love of God to others? It is fellow disciples of Jesus Christ in your life, in the flesh, real people who most clearly carry out the Great Commission. Lord, help us to be women who are grounded in the Word through obedience. Let us be women who intentionally disciple others for you! We are Women Who Disciple!
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