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| Older women are instructed in the Bible to disciple younger women, to teach them what is good and about God's Love. |
As an older woman with years of walking the path of faith, I feel a deep calling to come alongside younger women and share insights gleaned from my journey. Too often, antiquated traditions have silenced mature female voices or relegated their wisdom to subservient roles. But our faith teaches that we are all equal heirs of grace, gifted to build up the body of Christ through our diverse experiences.
With an egalitarian spirit, I believe older women have a powerful mentorship role to play in empowering and equipping younger sisters for the path ahead. Here are five caring, practical ways we can guide the next generation:
1. Listen Without Judgment
One of the greatest gifts we can offer is the sage listening ear of one who has cautiously navigated challenging terrain. Younger women today face immense societal pressures and complex realities many of us did not encounter. Rather than making assumptions, seek first to understand their perspectives and struggles without unsolicited reproach. Create safe spaces where they feel heard.
2. Share Stories of Resilient Faith
Our lives are textured by experiences that have tested, refined, and strengthened our faith over decades. Mining these autobiographies for stories of how we endured suffering yet emerged more reliant on God's sufficiency can inspire younger women in their own trials. We bear witness that our Unshakable God is enough for every fear, failure, and season of doubt.
3. Nurture Growth, Not Perfection
So often, society's expectations of young women breed insecurity, anxiety, and a draining pursuit of unattainable perfection. Let us be champions of grace, nurturing holistic growth over judgment. Guide gently when they stumble, and celebrate authentically when they take steps of courageous faith. Model for them that progress, not perfection, is the goal.
UBC Asst. Professor, Dr.Kemi Ola Oluwakemi4. Champion Their Gifts
Each woman is imbued with unique gifts from the Author of creativity. Sadly, gender bias has historically muted the contributions of many faithful women. Let us become vigorous advocates, fanning into flame the talents and callings of younger women, whether in leadership, teaching, artistry, or any sphere. Our affirmation of their God-given worth as visionary equals can stimulate a new way of seeing, understanding, and activating these beautiful gifts.
5. Pray Intently
We serve our younger sisters best when we uphold them in sustained, fervent prayer. Let us diligently go before the Throne of Grace on their behalf - for wisdom, strength, protection, provision, and influence. Our seasoned prayers have a long-term impact on strengthening the spiritual lives and mission of those who will soon lead others, in turn.
With gentle intentionality, let us older women embrace the privilege of meaningfully enhancing the lives of those coming behind us.
Do we need to be appointed by a Church committee to form caring relationships with younger women to disciple them? Not necessarily. You may also have friendships with a young woman who may never set foot in a Church, who looks to you as a trusted confidante with whom she has shared a heart-rending story about her life.
Some of us have daughters, daughters-in-law, nieces, granddaughters, and neighbors, young women with unspoken desires to find peace and joy with the guidance of a role model who will also listen to the concerns of their hearts without judging them or giving them advice they didn't ask for.
Young women also have wisdom!When we follow the directive to befriend and mentor younger women, we multiply our legacy by equipping empowered, resilient women to mentor and serve for generations to come.
P.S.: Please also keep your friendships fresh with women your age and older than you are-- your peers, mentors and disciplers!
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