{"id":15218,"date":"2026-03-11T11:57:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/?p=15218"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:57:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:57:07","slug":"five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Practical Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women\u2019s Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"838\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship-838x1024.png\" alt=\"Are you looking to spark deeper spiritual growth among the women in your church? In this post, Cyndee Ownbey explores practical, scripture-rooted ways to make discipleship a core part of your ministry.\" class=\"wp-image-15221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship-838x1024.png 838w, https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship-245x300.png 245w, https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship-768x939.png 768w, https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our series on the essentials of women\u2019s ministry continues today with a focus on discipleship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve been following along, you may have read the post on <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/why-theology-is-essential-for-every-womens-ministry\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"15188\">theology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discipleship is closely connected to theology; it is taking the knowledge one has learned about God (theology) and putting it into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s start with some definitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Disciples are followers of Christ who intentionally and regularly study God\u2019s Word and seek to obey the Word as they live out their faith.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Discipleship is the process of studying and living out God\u2019s Word with one or more believers, as modeled by Christ.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we get into some practical ideas, I want to look at what God\u2019s Word says about making disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-18824553\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1675771\/episodes\/18824553-ep-114-five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-women-s-ministry.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-18824553&#038;player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What God&#8217;s Word Says About Making Disciples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew%2018%3A19-20&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matthew 18:19-20<\/a> (ESV): \u201cGo therefore and&nbsp;make disciples of&nbsp;all nations,&nbsp;baptizing them&nbsp;in&nbsp;the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them&nbsp;to observe all that&nbsp;I have commanded you. And behold,&nbsp;I am with you always, to&nbsp;the end of the age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Titus%202%3A3-5&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Titus 2:3-5<\/a> (ESV): \u201cOlder women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,&nbsp;not slanderers&nbsp;or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,&nbsp;<strong><sup>4&nbsp;<\/sup><\/strong>and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,&nbsp;<strong><sup>5&nbsp;<\/sup><\/strong>to be self-controlled,&nbsp;pure,&nbsp;working at home, kind, and&nbsp;submissive to their own husbands,&nbsp;that the word of God may not be reviled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All believers are commanded to make disciples<\/strong>. <em>This is not just a project for the pastors in our church. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul gave specific instructions to women. Older women are to teach younger women what is good. <em>What\u2019s good? <\/em>The Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Biblical Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What examples of disciple-makers do we see in the Bible? There are many \u2013 Elizabeth and Mary and Moses and Joshua, just to name two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today I want to look at two women who discipled their son and grandson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul, in a letter to Timothy, encouraged him, to remain faithful, saying, \u201cI am reminded of&nbsp;your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and&nbsp;your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Timothy%201%3A5&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Timothy 1:5<\/a> (ESV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Don\u2019t you just love that God included the names of Timothy\u2019s mother and grandmother in the Bible?<\/em><\/strong> These women will forever be known as devoted disciple-makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God\u2019s Word is clear that we are to be disciples and make disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Bible study the same as discipleship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Is this the same as Bible study? Here\u2019s the short and simplified answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bible study is <em>usually<\/em> done in much larger groups and often uses a Bible study book (and sometimes a video). The primary teacher is <em>usually <\/em>the book\u2019s author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Discipleship groups<\/strong> are typically groups of 2-5 women that meet weekly to study God\u2019s Word for 12-18 months with the goal of replication. Discipleship groups often spend time in prayer, memorize scripture, and use accountability questions. The Holy Spirit serves as the primary teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some churches offer both options for their women. Some churches offer just one or the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t know what\u2019s best for your church, but I have seen firsthand the acceleration of spiritual growth through a formal discipleship program. Maybe it\u2019s something the Lord wants you and your team to prayerfully consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women&#8217;s Ministry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.We can and should encourage organic discipleship. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a wonderful thing when women ask other women to disciple them! It reveals a desire for spiritual growth. How wonderful it is when spiritually mature women want to disciple other women in your church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. We can share testimonies at our events and even on social media or in our newsletters. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing from women who have been or are being discipled will encourage other women that they will benefit too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. We can provide a formal format for discipleship.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While organic discipleship is great, <strong>formal discipleship<\/strong> offers a <strong>clear on-ramp<\/strong> for women who are looking to be discipled and it <strong>allows church leadership<\/strong> to <strong>select sound discipleship materials<\/strong> and <strong>spiritually mature leaders<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have a church-wide scripture reading program that our men\u2019s and women\u2019s discipleship groups use. Our groups use Robby Gallaty\u2019s HEAR format that can be found in his book, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4bHk8B5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Replicate<\/a><\/em> (affiliate link). His wife, Kandi, has a discipleship book for women called <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/discipleship-resource-disciple-her\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"10041\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Disciple Her<\/a>.\u00a0You could also use an inductive-style Bible study method, like my <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/read-resources\/\" type=\"page\" id=\"11182\">READ Bible Study Method<\/a>. I\u2019d encourage you to select something that will work well for women who are new to the Bible and those who are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. We can provide training for discipleship group leaders.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve heard leaders <strong>struggle to find women who are ready and willing to lead<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may need to host a short-term discipleship group just for new leaders. Teach them the process and let them practice leading. Or you may want to host a half-day workshop to <strong>train leaders<\/strong> in the discipleship method you want them to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. We can suggest creative solutions for discipleship. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many women feel they don\u2019t have time for one more thing \u2013 especially one more weekly thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A leader at a conference I recently attended shared her creative solution to discipling during a busy season. The younger woman whom she disciples comes over every two weeks at 6:45 AM. She fixes breakfast for both of them, and then they talk about their Bible reading. A young mom may need to meet after her children go to bed in the evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Help your women find ways to make it happen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To recap, 5 ways we can encourage discipleship in our church are to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>encourage organic discipleship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>share testimonies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide a formal format for discipleship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide training for discipleship group leaders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>offer creative solutions for discipleship<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We may think our women are already discipling and being discipled, but unless discipleship has been intentionally built into the DNA of your church, it\u2019s not likely.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backtothebible.org\/scripture-absorption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Back to the Bible<\/a>, discipleship efforts have stalled. Only 31% of Americans say they have ever personally discipled or mentored another person in the Christian faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Back to the Bible\u2019s State of Christianity in America 2025 report highlights the need for greater spiritual depth. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backtothebible.org\/scripture-absorption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">request a copy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>I pray we\u2019ll be leaders who pray for and plan for women to be followers of Christ who intentionally and regularly study God\u2019s Word and obey the Word as they live out their faith with other believers.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Today\u2019s Toolbox Tasks:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Discuss the 5 ways <\/strong>to encourage discipleship with your team.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identify <\/strong>the specific discipleship <strong>needs of the women in your church<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prayerfully move forward<\/strong> as the Lord leads.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find more information about discipleship and how to establish discipleship groups on the <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/discipleship-resources-for-womens-ministry\/\" type=\"page\" id=\"14807\">Women\u2019s Ministry Toolbox blog here<\/a> and in my book, <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/womens-ministry-essentials\">Women\u2019s Ministry Essentials<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to pre-order Women\u2019s Ministry Essentials and <a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.myflodesk.com\/wmepreorder\">submit your order information here<\/a> to receive the Discipleship by Design training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You may also want to check out:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4szmOqX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Women&#8217;s Ministry Essentials<\/a> (affiliate link)<br><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/discipleship-resource-disciple-her\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"10041\">Book Review: Disciple Her<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/discipleship-resources-for-womens-ministry\/\" type=\"page\" id=\"14807\">My List of Discipleship Resources<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-incorporate-evangelism-into-your-womens-ministry\/\">Five Practical Ways to Incorporate Evangelism Into Your Women\u2019s Ministry<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/womens-ministry-essentials-cultivating-a-culture-of-prayer\/\">Women\u2019s Ministry Essentials: Cultivating a Culture of Prayer<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/why-theology-is-essential-for-every-womens-ministry\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"15188\">Why Theology is Essential for Every Women\u2019s Ministry<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our series on the essentials of women\u2019s ministry continues today with a focus on discipleship. If you\u2019ve been following along, you may have read the post on theology. Discipleship is closely connected to theology; it is taking the knowledge one has learned about God (theology) and putting it into action. Definitions Let\u2019s start with some&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":15221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[586,536,158],"tags":[498,728,723],"class_list":["post-15218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-study-discipleship","category-discipleship","category-leadership-resources","tag-discipleship","tag-discipleship-training","tag-womens-ministry-essentials"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Five Practical Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women\u2019s Ministry - Women&#039;s Ministry Toolbox<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you looking to spark deeper spiritual growth among the women in your church? In this post, Cyndee Ownbey reveals why intentional discipleship is vital, how to create a discipleship-focused culture, and shares 5 practical ways to encourage discipleship.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Five Practical Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women\u2019s Ministry - Women&#039;s Ministry Toolbox\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you looking to spark deeper spiritual growth among the women in your church? In this post, Cyndee Ownbey reveals why intentional discipleship is vital, how to create a discipleship-focused culture, and shares 5 practical ways to encourage discipleship.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Women&#039;s Ministry Toolbox\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/womensministrytoolbox\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-11T15:57:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1320\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cyndee Ownbey\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cyndee Ownbey\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Cyndee Ownbey\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9eafa26bf1072060b16aa12db3cd674e\"},\"headline\":\"Five Practical Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women\u2019s Ministry\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-11T15:57:07+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\"},\"wordCount\":1254,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship.png\",\"keywords\":[\"discipleship\",\"discipleship training\",\"women's ministry essentials\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Bible Study &amp; Discipleship\",\"Discipleship\",\"Leadership\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/\",\"name\":\"Five Practical Ways to Encourage Discipleship in Your Women\u2019s Ministry - Women&#039;s Ministry Toolbox\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/five-practical-ways-to-encourage-discipleship-in-your-womens-ministry\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/5-practical-discipleship.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-11T15:57:07+00:00\",\"description\":\"Are you looking to spark deeper spiritual growth among the women in your church? 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