Women and Disciple Making | Joanne Kraft · The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast summary

Key takeaways

Discipleship is most effective through personal, intentional relationships.
Prayer is vital in identifying who to disciple.
Using a covenant can clarify expectations and enhance commitment in discipling relationships.
Women may prefer smaller, more intimate groups for discipleship.
Sharing personal testimonies can build stronger connections in discipleship.

Summary

Introduction and Personal Background

In this episode of the Disappelmakers Podcast, host Matthew Croson welcomes Joanne Kraft to discuss women's discipleship. Joanne, a mother of four and writer, shares her journey from authoring parenting books to discovering her passion for discipleship. She emphasizes the importance of relational engagement and how it enhances spiritual growth.

The Importance of Spiritual Discipleship

Joanne discusses her belief that while books and sermons are beneficial, true growth comes from personal relationships. She reflects on her own spiritual journey and expresses a desire for more intentional mentoring early on. The conversation highlights the current cultural need for personal discipleship amid contemporary pressures.

Starting Discipling Relationships

Joanne shares practical advice for starting discipling relationships. She stresses the importance of prayer in discerning whom to disciple, as well as actively listening and responding to the individual’s needs. She mentions that women often hesitate due to perceived inadequacies, but emphasizes the essential role of the Holy Spirit.

Challenges and Formalizing Relationships

The discussion shifts to the challenges in discipling, particularly dealing with resistance. Joanne suggests using a signed covenant to clarify expectations and accountability between the discipler and the disciplee. This structured agreement lays a foundation for commitment in their relationship.

Women Discipling Women

Joanne emphasizes the unique dynamics of women discipling women, suggesting smaller groups (ideally no more than three) for more intimate, impactful interactions. She outlines how women, in her experience, seek deeper connections than men and require a different approach when it comes to discipleship.

The Upcoming National Disciple Making Forum

Joanne is set to lead a track at the National Disciple Making Forum, indicating the growing interest in women’s ministry and discipleship. She describes the various speakers and topics that will be covered, showcasing valuable insights for church leaders and attendees.

Conclusion and Implementation Strategies

Towards the end, Joanne highlights the practical steps in maintaining discipling relationships, including resource material selection and the significance of sharing personal testimonies or ‘biographies’ as a part of their development. This transparency fosters deeper understanding and connection.

Show notes

Intentional Living: Joanne Kraft on Effective Women's Discipleship

What could it look like to see women in the church catch a vision for spiritual growth through discipleing relationships? Inspired by the mandate in Titus 2, Joanne Kraft, lead disciple-maker for Grace and Truth Living, speaks and writes to women across the nation on disciple making. Join Joanne and Discipleship.org’s Bobby Harrington for a conversation on the necessity of Jesus’ style of disciple making for women and the keys on developing this vision for women in your church.

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/

If you would like to view Focus on the Family visit this link: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 00:08 Journey into Discipleship 03:22 The Importance of Relational Discipleship 06:06 Starting Discipling Relationships 09:39 Challenges and Practical Tips 11:56 Women Discipling Women 18:00 Upcoming National Disciple Making Forum 20:57 Formalizing Discipling Relationships 24:38 Sharing Spiritual Biographies 26:03 Melissa Gray's Testimony 28:49 Defining the Duration of Discipleship 31:25 Serving Together and Leadership Transition 39:42 Turbo Group Training and Multiplying Disciple Makers 44:46 Building Relationships with Non-Believers 47:22 Grace and Truth Living Ministry 49:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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See below for a longer description:

In the video titled "Women and Disciple Making" Joanne Kraft, a mother of four and a writer, dives into her experiences and passion for discipleship, especially within the context of women's ministry. She starts by sharing a bit about her background, illustrating her journey as a writer of non-fiction, particularly parenting books, and how this gradually led her to realize her deep-seated passion for discipleship. She emphasizes that while broad speaking events and women's conferences are valuable, she believes in the power of smaller, more meaningful discipleship relationships to make a more substantial impact.

If you want to know more about Disciple Making visit: https://discipleship.org/

The conversation then transitions into a discussion about Joanne's books, which includes titles like "Too Busy: Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical" and "The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids." Joanne explains how experiences from her career as a 911 dispatcher shaped her writing and mentoring, addressing common parenting challenges that resonated with many. She also highlights how her books have been utilized as discipleship tools across the country, demonstrating their relevance and effectiveness in real-world church settings.

Joanne underscores the importance of relational experiences in spiritual growth, recounting how her relationships with others have profoundly influenced her faith journey. She notes the significance of intentional, personal interactions over merely consuming content from books or sermons. Joanne stresses the necessity of being discipled, particularly how personal relationships can foster deeper understanding and spiritual maturity. Through these reflections, she reveals her realization that even long-time Christians can still need personal mentorship to grow their faith.

Discussing the structure of discipleship relationships, Joanne shares practical insights on how to initiate and maintain such connections. She advises starting with prayer to discern whom God is leading to be discipled and emphasizes the importance of seeking someone whose words have a strong influence on you. Joanne highlights the role of questions and active listening in building these relationships. She addresses common challenges, like dealing with resistance, and advocates for setting clear expectations through a signed covenant to ensure commitment and accountability from both parties involved.

Joanne’s approach also includes tailor-made strategies for discipling women, recognizing the unique needs and dynamics different from men. She explains how she organizes smaller and more intimate groups, drawing from Jesus’ example with his disciples. Joanne typically limits her discipleship groups to no more than three women, ensuring each member receives adequate attention and support. She highlights the need for grace, patience, and mutual understanding in these relationships.

Interested in books and blogs on Disciple Making visit: https://discipleship.org/resources/

For more conversation on Disciple Making check out our Podcast: The Disciple Makers Podcast -- https://disciplemakerspodcast.podbean.com/

Women and Disciple Making | Joanne Kraft