(Titus 2:4-5) The Teaching Ministry of Older Women

#6 THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF OLDER WOMAN

(Titus 2:4-5)

^[4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

^[5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

In our last study, we saw that old age is not a time for retirement, spiritual retirement that is. I think about an old preacher who retired after many years of being in the ministry. However, in a revival meeting, God moved in his heart and he got up and testified, “I have been retired, but tonight I have been re-fired.” I know of some that need refired.

Speaking of retirement, I think about a teacher who asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation. One child wrote the following: "We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live here in a big brick house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida and now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

"They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear nametags because they don't know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed, because it is all right now.

They play games and do exercises there, but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool, too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim.

At their gate, there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My Grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds. Some of the people can't get past the man in the dollhouse to go out. So the ones who do get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it potluck.

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded some day, too. When I earn my retardment I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren."

Well, there is a difference between retired and retarded (for some I should say). In the Christian life, there is no place for retirement. As we saw in our last study, the word “aged” in verse 2 and 3 is commonly understood to speak of someone around the age of 60.

In verse 2, we looked at the exhortation for older men “to be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” In verse 3, we saw the exhortation to older women “that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”

In verses 4 and 5, we see specific instructions given to older women. We see that older women are to be teachers of the younger women. As you look closer at Paul’s instructions, it is obvious that the younger women to whom he refers is women that are married and have children.

Now mom’s, you may be about ready to pull your hair out, but it should encourage you to know that the Bible calls you a young woman. I know I have already discouraged all of the women that are 60 and above by calling them old, so I will at least get you moms on my side.

Let’s look at this teaching ministry that older women are to have with the younger women. As we think about older women being teachers, let’s think about the lessons they are to teach. Let’s begin by thinking about:

1. THEIR TEACHING ON A HOLY LIFE

In the last part of verse 3, we briefly noticed the words, “teachers of good things.” In the context these good things are that which is holy and godly. It is literally a “teacher of right.” It speaks of how the older women are to be examples of holiness and godliness.

We have already noticed verse 3, but I want you to look at it again. We read that the “behaviour” of the older women is to be one “as becometh holiness.” The word “holiness” gives us a wonderful picture to illustrate the holy life that Paul is describing. It has a root word of being priest-like. It is a picture of a priest serving in the Temple and engaged with the sacred things of God.

From this picture, we see:

A) A Communion with God

As a priest in the Temple, surrounded by the presence of God, a life that “becometh holiness” is one, in which there is a walk with God. There is time that is spent with God and in communion with the Lord. Ladies, do you spend time with God? Like a priest spending time in the holy place, there should be that time each day when you commune with God. A holy life grows out of the time that one spends with God.

Dr. Theodore Cuyler tells of a visit he and Newman Hall had with Charles Spurgeon. It was a Saturday night; supper was over and Spurgeon said, “Brother, we will have worship now." Spurgeon was in such awful pain for his neuralgia was tormenting him. So lame was he that he could not kneel, but sat at the end of the table. After Cuyler prayed, Spurgeon just dropped his face between his hands and began praying. He talked with God as simple and sweet as a child at his mother's knee. On and on he prayed. Later Cuyler said to Newman, “Did you ever hear such a prayer in your life?" “Never," said Newman. Cuyler replied, “Now you have the secret of Spurgeon's power."

Spending time with God is the secret to power and a holy life. Secondly, this picture speaks of:

B) A Commitment to God

In your mind, see a priest as he goes about his divinely appointed functions and services in the Temple. He is serving God, fulfilling his role and purpose in life carrying out his divine duty. A life that is one that “becometh holiness” is the overflow of not only one who spends time with God but serves God. Such a person is one who loves the Lord, lives for the Lord, and serves Him.

Being a teacher of the young is one aspect of this service. The word “teach” carries the idea of being an encouragement. Both by word and walk, the older women are to be an example and encouragement to the younger women of a life that “becometh holiness."

As the priest would leave the Holy Place after ministering before the Lord, the fragrance of the incense that had been offered to the Lord would linger upon his garments. The aroma of that incense was a testimony of who he was and where he had been.

Paul is not talking an older woman teaching a Sunday school class or a Bible study, although that atmosphere would provide for such teaching. He is talking about someone who in his or her daily life bears the aroma of one who is in communion with God and committed to God. Those who come in contact by are touched by their life. By who and what they are they teach others of a life that “becometh holiness."

Several years ago, I met a lady who the moment I met her I knew that she was a lady that walked with God and lived in His presence. Her name was Lillian Harvey. She was originally from Scotland and had made her home in Fish Springs, Tennessee, which is not far from Elizabethton. She was in her 70’s at the time.

I first became acquainted with her through several books she had published. Her books are a collection of quotes on prayer and various subjects. She showed me a room that was lined from wall to wall with filing cabinets. Those filing cabinets were filled with quotes, illustrations and articles she had clipped and filed through the years. She would take a clip, glue it to a piece of construction paper, and file it under its subject. There was a library of thousands upon thousands of clips in those files. I joked with about leaving it to me in her will.

I have never met anyone like her. She reminded me of Moses. There was a heavenly glow about her. Her face was glowing with the glory of God. It was as she had just stepped from the throne-room. Before I left, I asked if she would place her hands upon me and pray for me. She laughed and said, “You want a woman to pray for you! Not many preachers ask me that.” Listen, I wanted some of what she had!

That was the only time I met her. I do not even know if she is still living but I will never forget meeting her and how she prayed for me that day. In the words of Paul, she was a woman that “becometh holiness.” The fragrance of her life spoke of her communion and commitment to God.

Secondly, we not only see the older women and their teaching on a holy life, but also:

2. THEIR TEACHING ON A HOME LIFE

In verses 4-5 Paul specifically talks about the home life and what the younger women can learn from the older women about the home. Paul says, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands.”

The word “sober” speaks of a sound mind and sensibility. It is speaking of cultivating good and sound judgments in the home. Younger women are to see modeled in the older women and learn from them when it comes to the home.

As you look at Paul’s instructions, you see that younger women are to learn from the older women about being:

A) A Loving Wife

One thing that the older women are to teach is how the younger women are “to love their husbands.” The word “love” that is used is the Greek word philandros that refers to a particular kind of love.

There are different kinds of love. I think about two fellows named Bill and Steve that were discussing the subject of love. "I thought I was in love three times," Bill says.

"Thought?" Steve asks. "What do you mean?"

"Three years ago, I cared very deeply for a woman who wanted nothing to do with me," Bill says.

"Wasn't that love?" Steve asks.

"No, that was obsession," Bill explains. "Then two years ago, I cared very deeply for an attractive woman who didn't understand me."

"Wasn't that love?" asks Steve.

"No, that was lust," Bill replies. "And just last year, I met a woman while I was on a cruise. She was gorgeous, intelligent, a great conversationalist and had a super sense of humor. Everywhere I followed her on that ship; I would get a very strange sensation in the pit of my stomach."

"Well, wasn't that love," asks Steve.

"No. That was motion sickness!" Bill replies.

The word that is used in verse 4 speaks of a commitment that is made by an individual. It is a love that is made by choice regardless of another’s worthiness of love. It is a love that is deliberately developed and nurtured. It is not bells and whistles that are so often associated with love.

When we think of love, we often think of that which has emotions or feelings involved. Love has feelings but there are times when the feelings of love are dormant or there is little to draw those feelings out.

In a marriage, there are times when you love because you choose to love and it is right to love. Ladies, I know that a husband can be at times unlovable, uncaring and ungrateful (and all the ladies said ‘Amen.’) Nevertheless, the love that Paul speaks of is the kind of love a wife makes that is a commitment to love her husband no matter what. That is the kind of love that is to be taught by the older women and learned by the younger.

We also read in verse 4 that the younger women are to learn from the older “to love their children.” A different word is used here and it is the Greek word philteknos. It speaks specifically of the love a parent has for their children. It is a love that is selfless and sacrificial. It is not a love based on attractiveness or personality, but a love based on need. It is a love without any conditions.

I once came across what is called, “Sayings of mom’s in the Bible”:

Samson! Get your hand out of that lion. You don't know where it has been!

David! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons!

Abraham! Stop wandering around the countryside and get home for supper!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! I told you never to play with fire!

Cain! Get off your brother! You're going to kill him some day!

Noah! No, you cannot keep them! I told you, don't bring home any more strays!

Gideon! Have you been hiding in that wine press again? Look at your clothes!

James and John! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder!

Judas! Have you been in my purse again?

It reminds me that being a mom and rearing children is not easy. I remember while in college my English teacher corrected me: “Mr. Trivette, you raise hogs and rear children.” After raising, excuse me, rearing three boys I do not see much difference.

Yet as a parent, your love is an unconditional love. The needs of the children are first and foremost. That is the kind of love Paul encourages the older women to teach the younger.

Furthermore, the younger women are to learn from the older women about being:

B) A Loyal Wife

In verse 5, we see that the younger are to learn how to be “discreet.” The word speaks of being “sensible” and of a “sound mind.” It speaks of a person with common sense and good judgment.

They are also to learn to be “chaste.” The word speaks of being “pure” and refers to moral purity and in the context of marital fidelity. It speaks of being a faithful wife.

In addition, we read of a wife being “keepers at home.” It literally means a “good housekeeper” or a “homemaker.” In our day and time, most wives work an outside job. Sometimes it is by need and other times by choice. Yet, the home is a wife’s special domain and always should be her highest priority.

A wife is to be “good.” This speaks of a wife being “kind.” The idea is of being gentle, considerate, congenial and sympathetic.

Then we find the part that gives the women’s libbers an ulcer. Wives are to be “obedient to their own husbands.” It speaks of a wife being subject to her husband. Of course behind this subjection is a husband that is giving the wife the spiritual leadership and guidance she deserves. It is a subjection that is earned and then honored by her subjection.

All these speak of a loyal wife. She is loyal to her husband in all things. Charles Spurgeon gave a wonderful description of such a wife as described in verses 4 and 5 in the following tribute he wrote for his wife:

“She delights in her husband, in his person, his character, his affection; to her, he is not only the chief and foremost of mankind, but in her eyes, he is all in all. Her heart's love belongs to him and to him only. He is her little world, her paradise, her choice treasure. She is glad to sink her individuality in him; she seeks no renown for herself; his honor is reflected upon her, and she rejoices in it. She will defend his name with her dying breath; safe enough is he where she can speak for him. His smiling gratitude is all the reward she seeks. Even in her dress she thinks of him, and considers nothing beautiful which is distasteful to him.”

“He has many objects in life, some of which she does not quite understand; but she believes them all, and anything she can do to promote them, she delights to perform. Such a wife, as a true spouse, realizes the model marriage relation, and sets forth what our oneness with the Lord ought to be.”

Lastly, notice how the older women and:

3. THEIR TEACHING ON AN HONORABLE LIFE

Notice the final statement in verse 5: “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” The word “blasphemed” means to “dishonor.” William Kelly translates the statement, “so that God’s Word may suffer no scandal.”

It is a call for the older women to teach the younger to live an honorable life, a life that honors the Word of God rather than dishonor it. As we think of this instruction, we think of:

A) A Life That Discredits the Word of God

The world has always judged the Bible by the character of the people who claim to live by it. I think of when David sinned with Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan said to him, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme.” David’s behavior gave the enemies of the Lord an opportunity to discredit the Word of God.

The 19^th century German philosopher Heinrich Heine said, “Show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your Redeemer.”

God is often mocked and rejected because of the lives some Christians live. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:9 that we are “made a spectacle unto the world.” The word “spectacle” speaks of a “theater.” It speaks of a place for public show. The idea is that the world is watching us. Sadly, what they see does not always inspire others to come to Christ.

On the other side of the coin there is:

B) A Life That Displays the Word of God

Instead of the Word of God being blasphemed—dishonored—it is seen as real and reliable in a Christian’s life. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

As an older woman, you are to live a life that honors the Word of God. You are to be a teacher to the younger of the kind of life that honors God and gives no occasion for the Word of God to be doubted, despised and denounced.

Old age is not a time for retirement—spiritual retirement—especially for the older women. You have a great ministry. It is one of teaching the younger.