3 simple steps to discipleship

Somewhere at the end of my freshman year in college, my roommate and I got exposed to some crazy theology. It was one of those big scares about the world coming to an end. Some guy who was really good at math and gifted in communication duped us into thinking that he knew the date Jesus would return in the clouds.

So we did what any good church girls would do, we took that information in the form of small shareable pamphlets to the streets and the to the people we loved in an effort to ‘share the Good News’ about Jesus coming back to get us all. Yep, true story.

When I think of where I was at that time in my early twenties, it astounds me that I fell so fast for such a ridiculous lie. But I was untethered spiritually. I didn’t have anyone older or wiser leading me at that time in my life and it’s one of the many reasons that I am so passionate about mentoring/discipling/being a spiritual mama to younger women in my community.

This week I had the opportunity to talk to Hunter Beless on The Journeywoman Podcast about that passion. Here is a short clip from our hour long interview.

This interview helped me clarify some important pieces of my personal discipleship process. Mainly that it doesn’t need to be some big, complicated thing that is only for a select few. Or that it’s something that only takes place in a highly structured format. Or that you need to have years and years of theology before you’re ready to lead someone spiritually. Here’s what I found are three simple steps to being a part of a discipling relationship:

3 simple steps to discipleship

Make sure you are a couple steps ahead spiritually and in your life season. You only need to be a couple steps ahead to disciple someone. If you are 5 or 10 or 20 years older than the young woman in your life, you’re likely a good fit to be a disciple.
Commit to biblical truth and authenticity. Discipleship isn’t a big, scary assignment; rather, it’s an organic way of living your life out loud for God. If you are growing in your relationship with God and you are willing to be authentic about it, you are likely a credible teacher/guide/spiritual sister or mama to someone else.
Ask good questions that creates an environment to dive deep spiritually. Often the best way to help someone grow spiritually is to ask a question and allow the Spirit to direct and uncover the answer.

Discipleship, mentorship or whatever you want to call it, is just meeting with someone and asking a question, then listening with curiosity and as much empathy and creativity as you can muster. Genuinely listen to another person and then ask another question. Let the mentee discover what God is saying in their life. It’s not so much me speaking into another person as it is asking questions and letting them see where they are with Him.

I hope you’ll listen to the whole interview over at Hunter’s place and then I hope you’ll find the courage to reach out and ask for a mentor and become one.

photo: emily boone photography