the older women likewise,
that they be reverent in behavior,
not slanderers,
not given to much wine,
teachers of good things—
Titus 2:3
LORD Jesus, we praise You that You have given us Your Word. Forgive us whenever we want to do things on our own terms and press on our own agenda. We know that Your timing and Your will are perfect. Help us to seek Your counsel so that we know what to learn, how to live, and how to teach others. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.
She got my attention at a social media platform because of what she wrote about womanhood, marriage, and motherhood. After a while, however, I became upset about her texts. How come? It was the way she was writing about things. She kept pointing the finger and accused these young women of today of doing things the wrong way; and yet she would never teach them how to live according to God’s Word.
READ — Today’s verse:
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS—
(Emphasis mine)
ENGAGE — Think. Fill in the blank. (Copy/Paste – NKJV)
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, _____ _____ _____ _____—
We need to be aware that there is a difference between teaching and preaching. The preaching done by many of the older women will not be of much help to the younger women. I’m guilty of it! I have done it before, I’m afraid.
Listen to what William MacDonald writes:
Although not assigned a public teaching ministry in the church, older women are commissioned to teach in the home. Who can measure the potential of such a ministry!
Believer’s Bible Commentary
APPLY — How can we, the older women, teach the younger women?
The best teaching happens by example, doesn’t it? There are so many teachers in colleges and schools today who possess a knowledge of the subjects in theory but who do not know how to put knowledge into practice. Don’t let us become teachers like that. Instead, let us encourage, guide, and teach the young women by example.
DO — Think and Pray:
Those whose actions and behaviour become holiness are thereby teachers of good things; and besides this, they may and should also teach by doctrinal instruction at home, and in a private way.
Matthew Henry
In other words, teaching young women at home is not restricted to the teaching of how to bake, cook, clean, and other household tasks. We may, as well, teach them by setting an example through our actions and behavior and by sharing with them what God’s Word says about women, wives, and mothers.
May God teach you how to pass on God’s Word to the next generation.