Titus 2

June Memory Verse: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Read: Titus 2

In Titus 2, we see Paul continuing his instruction to a younger pastor under his discipleship who was named Titus.  Titus was leading the churches in Crete, and in this letter, Paul is providing him instruction in how to lead these churches well.  After outlining priorities on appointing Godly, sound elders for the church, Paul shifts to giving Titus direction on how to teach those under his care.  He breaks his instruction down to 5 groups:  older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves/servants.

In verse 12, Paul says that the experience of accepting God’s salvation through Jesus “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age ”.  ln Verses 1-11, Paul describes what that looks like.  

Here is the summary:

1. Older Men

• Temperate
• Worthy of respect
• Self-controlled
• Sound in faith, in love, and in endurance

2. Older Women

• Reverent in the way they live
• Not slanderers
• Not addicted to much wine
• Teach what is good
• Teach younger women how to follow Christ

3. Younger Women

• Love their husbands and children
• Self-controlled and pure
• Busy at home
• Kind
• Subject to their husbands

 
4. Younger Men

• Self-controlled
• Follow example of older men in doing what is good
• Follow older men in integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech

5. Slaves

• Subject to their masters in everything
• Try to please them
• Don’t talk back to them
• Don’t steal from them
• Show that they can be fully trusted

While our world and culture may have changed in some ways in the 2000 years since this letter was penned from Paul to Titus, the principles have not.  The characteristics laid out for older men and women to model still apply today.  The priority to live Godly lives of self-control, temperance, and respectability that brings honor to God and his church never change.  It is critically important for mature Christians to model how to live for those younger (both those younger in age and younger in the faith).  It is fundamental to God’s plan for those who are younger to seek to follow God, to respect and learn from those who are more mature, and to emulate the Godly characteristics they learn from their elders.  It is highest priority for those who find themselves in a situation where they may be oppressed (ex. difficult boss) to model Godly service.
 
Why did Paul say is it so important to live this way?
 

1. “So that no one will malign the word of God” (v5)
2. “So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us” (v8)
3. “So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (v10)

When we live out the principles in this passage we “align” with the word of God.  When we don’t, we “malign” the word of God.  The walk away question today – Am I “aligned” with the word of God in how I live?  Or am I living in conflict with the instruction of Paul such that I “malign” the word of God and repel others from the Gospel?  It is critical that we align with God’s word.  When we do, it attracts others to Christ.  Paul just shared principles on to how do it.
 
By: Mike Wilson - Leadership Team Member