Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021)
Article: Implementing Biblical Principles For Discipling Women
Author: Emily Dean

JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021) p. 231

Implementing Biblical Principles For Discipling Women

Emily Dean

Emily Dean is assistant professor of ministry to women and director of ministry to women academic program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matt 28:19–20)1

The call to make disciples is a call to all believers regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or country of origin. Jesus said to go and make disciples. He did not distinguish between individuals or give this responsibility only to males or only to females. Instead, the expectation is that all Christians will be going and making disciples. Naturally, as you are going about your daily life, you should be focused on taking advantage of opportunities for disciple making. While the call for all of us looks the same, what that looks like in our lives will vary according to gender, age, or cultural background.

In thinking about discipling women specifically, what comes to mind? One of the primary passages God provides regarding the discipleship of women is found in Titus 2. In that passage, we find specific instructions given to older women regarding their behavior in the church. Why is that so important? Older women naturally set the example for younger women. They outline a pattern of behavior for younger women to follow. In this short passage, the Apostle Paul outlined expectations for older women in the congregation. He said, “In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husband and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission

JBTM 18:2 (Fall 2021) p. 232

to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered” (Titus 2:3–5).

“Some women may be hesitant to teach this curriculum because the bookends of this directive are concerning a woman’s relationship to her husband. Now clearly not all women are married and not all women have children. In Paul’s day this would have been a given that most women would be married, yet in twenty-first century western culture marriage and children cannot be assumed for women. However, these instructions are applicable to al...