3 Keys to Bearing the Burdens in Discipleship

Everywhere you turn women are weighed down with worries.  They’re burdened by brokenness in relationships, busted finances, and busy schedules. Regardless of their marital or parental status, women need help.  That’s where the body of Christ comes in.  God has assigned and equipped women in his Church to be able to minister to these women through Titus 2 discipleship.  Maybe you’re a woman who is able to disciple women, but you just don’t know how to. Well, I’m not an expert on discipleship, but I have learned that there are 3 keys to bearing the burdens in discipleship.

3 Keys to Bearing the Burdens in Discipleship

Galatians 6:2~ Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Discipleship is a relationship where a more spiritually mature person takes a younger one under their wing and teaches them the scriptures, trains them how to walk with God, and helps them to grow spiritually.  It’s a tremendous blessing to be able to travel alongside a disciple on their path of spiritual growth.

Women can benefit so much from the fellowship, accountability, prayer, and Bible instruction that characterizes this discipleship relationship. Discipleship is especially helpful when you have burdens and don’t have anyone else to confide in or count on to help you.

The 3 keys to bearing the burdens in discipleship are: Counseling, Compassion, and Casting the cares on Christ.

Key #1 to bearing the burdens in discipleship: Counseling

Proverbs 17:28~ Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Think of the example of Job’s friends when he lost everything.  They sat silently and mourned with him for the first seven days (Job 2:11-13) before Job begins to speak of his misery.  In chapter 4:2 Eliphaz says “who can withhold himself from speaking?” and begins to let Job know his opinion about why Job’s in that predicament. They each give their opinions and succeed at adding to Job’s agony.

Job 16:2-5~ I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.  Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.  But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

A lot of what Job’s friends said was true, but it wasn’t true of his situation, nor was it helpful. They didn’t have the knowledge that Satan was tempting Job to blaspheme God.  We don’t have full knowledge of everything going on in another woman’s life either, so we have to be careful not to give our opinions, only counsel with what God tells us to say.

A time to speak and a time for silence

If you want to help bear the burdens of another, there are two things that you want to be certain to do:

• Listen more than you speak-  Try not to give counsel before hearing what is exactly going on in their lives. Proverbs 18:13.  Let them share what’s on their heart.  Ask questions to get to what the real burden is. Her burdens may be caused by sin, lack of fellowship with God and others, or it may be busyness and an overwhelming schedule. It could be that she’s facing spiritual warfare like Job.  As her spiritual mentor, it’s your job to help her get to the root of it and grow through it.

• Leave them with wise counsel- Women need counsel from the word of God. This is where being familiar with your Bible is essential. You need to know the scriptures that address the specific burdens they may have.  If you feel ill-equipped to share scriptures that minister to the needs of women, here are some books that can help.

I encourage you to read about ministering to other women, but I also want you to remember that it’s okay to feel inadequate to meet the needs of others. That’s exactly the position God wants us in because then we are humble and depending on Him.

It’s in those moments of overwhelm that God reveals himself as sufficient to meet our every need.  God pours out his grace, and fills us with His Spirit, to accomplish His will, for His glory!

Let the Spirit lead

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), and our Helper. He knows exactly what they need to hear, so let Him lead you in bearing the burdens in discipleship.  Before you visit with your disciple, or answer any text or phone call, pray that the Spirit would give you His words to say.

If it’s an issue that’s over your head, don’t be ashamed to tell them that.  Direct them to your trusted counselor, pastor, or ministry leader. We’re all in this together!

Key #2 to bearing the burdens in discipleship: Compassion

One of my favorite things about Jesus is his compassion.  Over and over again we read in the Gospels that Jesus had compassion on the multitudes.  His heart was full of love for humanity, despite their sin-stricken ways.  He grieved over the effects of sin and sympathized with the plight of the poor and needy.  What a glorious Savior he is.

Show compassion in practical ways

Some practical ways we can show compassion in discipleship could be to:

• Babysit to give them a break.
• Organize a meal train when they need it.
• Run errands for them.
• Help them with cleaning, organizing, or planning.
• Pray with them.
• Send encouraging texts or cards.

1Peter 3:8~ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 

Key #3 to bearing the burdens in discipleship: Casting those cares on Christ

Jesus is really the one who bears all of our burdens.  We can’t hang on to them, we have to lift them off of our disciple or friend and lift them right up to Jesus.

Lift them up to the throne of grace so they can obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. You may be the only one praying for them! Praying for your disciple keeps you from getting burdened yourself.

But don’t just pray for them, teach them how to have an intimate prayer life themselves.  Show them how to take every care to Christ and receive the peace that passes all understanding in the process.

When we apply these 3 keys to bearing the burdens in discipleship, we minister like Jesus did.  Christ is infinitely merciful and meek, and if we pattern our discipleship after his, we bless others and bring God the glory he deserves.

Romans 15:1~ We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Resources for Spiritual Growth:

I have created a resource library with tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple.  There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization, and more Bible study tools will be added regularly.  Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password.

You will also get my blog posts in your email, in addition to access to these Bible study resources. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.

If you are already subscribed to Daily His Disciple, just email me and I will send you the link and password!

Prayer Life

If you would like to grow in your prayer life, you should check out Pray with Confidence.  It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the 40 monthly contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:

3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability

5 Things to Thank God for When You Don’t Feel Thankful

19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God

2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos

Be sure to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well.  There are a plethora of options to boost your spiritual growth!

Related Articles:

5 Properties of Biblical Discipleship

Barriers and Blessings of Biblical Discipleship: A Big Sister’s Perspective

Encouragement to Endure in Ministry