Written by Marisa Signoretti, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
Discipleship is considered a fundamental requirement for the transformation of the Christian woman, acting as an ongoing process that molds character, mind, and heart into the likeness of Christ. It is not merely a teaching method, but an intentional relationship and a daily journey of learning and imitation, essential for a complete change.
One of the greatest and most vital areas of women's ministry in the New Testament was discipleship. In the "Great Commission," Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to make disciples of others (Mt 28:19-20). Go and transform lives!
This process involved two principles, illustrated in the life of Jesus and His apostles: association and instruction (walking together and paying attention to what is taught).
To begin, a disciple associated or interacted with a person in a personal way. Jesus, for example, chose His disciples so that they could “be with him” (Mk 3:14 NIV), and be transformed into saviors of souls.
The apostle Paul also recognized that discipleship occurred in the context of intimate relationships or in the "sharing" of life (1Th 1:7-8). A transformed life is contagious.
The second aspect of discipleship was instruction. Disciples were to be taught to be obedient (Mt 28:20), encouraging people to learn more about Christ and His teachings so that they could be firmly rooted, built up in Him, and established in the faith (Col 2:6-7).
Paul instructed spiritually mature women to serve as mentors to younger women (Tit 2:3-5). Through discipleship with other women and bringing them to maturity in Christ, New Testament women glorified God and were fully involved in the ministry of God's Kingdom (the church).
Key aspects of discipleship as a requirement for transformation:
- Inner and character transformation: true discipleship seeks to align a person's character with God's character. This involves an inner transformation that alters values, virtues, and behaviors, promoting continuous growth in the image of Christ.
- The process of imitation: the essence of discipleship, from a Christian perspective, is the art of imitating Christ, with the help of examples. It is a calling to be molded, not just transformed.
- The cost of transformation: following Christ and going through the discipleship process involves renouncing and submitting one's own will to God's will, making the process a true test of commitment.
In short, discipleship is the vehicle through which transformation happens in the life of those who wish to go further – being transformed in order to then transform others.
Becoming a follower of Jesus is a commitment that requires a choice.
Jesus went straight to the heart of this commitment: His disciples were to deny their own desires in order to follow him. Commitment demands action; it cannot be separated from responsibility.
Are you committed to this type of transformation?
