Titus 2:1-8
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Devotion
Paul now imparts godly wisdom to this young minister in a difficult ministry field. “But you must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” This is in stark contrast to what the false teachers were doing in promoting false doctrines. Titus was to teach the believers in Crete in a way consistent with sound teaching. It is very tempting for church leaders to surrender to the culture and teach what is popular instead of what is right. Here Paul is emphasizing the importance of the apostle’s doctrine.
Now Paul gives this young minister instruction for the “older” men in the church. The older men are to act in accordance with their age and wisdom. The older men are to strive or aim for: self-control, being worthy of respect, sensible, soundness in faith, love and perseverance. These attributes are truly signs of spiritual maturity. The older I get the more I realize that the church needs both the young and the old. In a healthy church young and old should minister to one another. It is the grace of God that enables us to bridge the generation gap in the church. Because of their wisdom, the weight of this responsibility falls on the more mature believers. In the same way, older women are to model for younger women what it means to be a godly woman. Younger women should learn from the older woman what it means to be a loving wife and mother.
Paul then addresses the conduct of the younger men. He instructs Titus to encourage the younger men to be self-controlled. The word translated self-controlled means prudent or sensible. Younger men need to learn how to harness their passions, so that, they do not fall into the trap of temptation. In our culture today, temptation lurks behind every key stroke on a computer. Paul then encourages Titus to be an example to the younger men. Paul also admonishes Titus not to compromise the message of the gospel. If he were to be taken seriously on Crete, he would stand against the temptation of watering down the message to appeal to the less mature believers and the false teachers.
Titus is tasked with being a role model to both younger and older believers. In order for his ministry to be fruitful on Crete, he must model what it means to live for Christ. Like Titus, we are tasked to be living examples of Jesus in a world that is hostile toward Christ. Like those that came before us, we must strive to live lives that reflect Jesus to both non-believers and believers alike.
Questions to Ponder
How does Paul address the issue of age in this text? When you look at the attributes that Paul lists in this text, what do these lists tell us about the culture of our time? What does self-control look like in practical terms? In what ways does this text describe integrity? How important was consistency of character in the growth of the early church? Why is it so important today? In what ways can you be an example to a younger believer? Who are you pouring into?
Prayer Points
- Worship the Lord as Creator of all things. Everlasting Father is His Name. Praise Him for His heart that is full of fierce love, compassion, kindness and mercy.
- Thank Him for those who have poured into your life.
- Ask Abba to surround you with people younger in the faith whom you can walk alongside. Pray for mutual edification by His Spirit.
Suggested Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are perfect and Your ways are higher than our ways. I thank You for the opportunities You give to us to pour into others. Lord, I ask that You guide and direct all of us to those around us who we can pour into. Remove obstacles of the enemy that want to keep us isolated from others. For anyone not in a Life Group, I ask that You would grant them the help and wisdom to act. Lead them to the group You have for them. I also ask that You would bring someone to encourage and challenge us in our walk with You. Thank You that this is on Your heart too, as You want Your people to be in community . We are Your Household. In Jesus Christ’s holy and precious Name I ask, amen.