Titus 2:3-5 gives the biblical mandate for discipleship among women within the local church. The apostle Paul wrote this epistle to Titus, to establish sound doctrine in the church. Women teaching women the “good things” of God’s word brings spiritual stability to the church and ensures God’s word is not blasphemed. There are some qualifiers for the older women as spiritual mentors though. They are to be an example for the younger women in discipleship in four ways.
Titus 2:3 KJV -The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.
4 Ways to Be an Example in Discipleship
- Sanctified (“behavior as becometh holiness”)
- SpeakTruth (“not false accusers”)
- Sober Mind (“not given to much wine”)
- Teach Sound Doctrine (“teachers of good things”)
God is infinitely more concerned with us being godly women than with us doing anything for him. That is why his exhortation to godly character precedes his instruction to teach younger women.
Be an Example of Sanctified Behavior
“Behavior that becometh holiness” means sanctified living that makes holiness look good. Psalm 29:2 says “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Holiness is beautiful to the Lord, and it should be to us as well.
Our holiness is dependent on our walk with Jesus, our worship of Jesus, putting in the words of Jesus, and following the ways of Jesus.
Ladies should be able to see from our attitudes and actions that we are unique women, set apart for Christ; Women of the word, and not women of the world.
A sanctified woman who is an example to other women believes and obeys the word of God. She fears the Lord and walks in his ways. She’s a spiritual mentor who is a virtuous woman. Proverbs 31:10 says “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Virtuous women are so rare, and so hard to find, but we can repent and change that!
If we want to be an example in discipleship, we must have sanctified behavior.
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
God brings us from carnality to Christ-likeness when we repent at his conviction of sin and submit to walk in his ways instead of our own. Click To Tweet
Be an Example of Speaking Truth
The Bible says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) You have in your words, the ability to speak the truth that brings life, or lies that bring death. It’s vital that the mature women in the church flee from gossip and slander, and choose to be an example of honesty and sincerity like Christ.
“Accuser” comes from the Greek word “diabolos” meaning Satan or traducer. This word is also used as “slanderer” and “devil” in the New Testament. Proverbs 10:18 says “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”
Slanderers seek self-elevation and start division.
A false accuser is a pawn of Satan who is being used to sow discord within the body, by spreading lies. Slander is deadly to relationships and kills the unity within the Body.
For a biblical illustration of this, read Numbers 12, and check out my blog post on Story of a Slanderer: Miriam, A Devilish Diva!
If we want to be an example in discipleship, we must speak truth.
Proverbs 31:26 KJV ~ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Be an Example of a Sober-Minded Woman
The aged women in the church are held to the same standard of sobriety as pastors and deacons. (1Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7, 1Timothy 3:8) “Given” means to be enslaved to, to be in bondage to, or become a servant of. Not given to much wine means not a slave to alcohol.
Ephesians 5:17-18 KJV ~ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is, and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
While the Bible mentions explicitly being drunk on wine, we know that in our world today there are several things we can ingest to dull our senses and change our mood and mindset. We become enslaved to them, and turn those things instead of to the Lord to help us in time of need.
To change our actions, we must change our thinking. (Romans 12:1-2) Our minds are renewed and we are transformed by memorizing, meditating on, and applying the word of God.
Think soberly
A sober mind is a controlled, disciplined, sound mind that filters everything through God’s word. It’s not unstable, overcome by worries, woes, and what-ifs. A sober woman is not driven by her emotions, but by the scriptures and the Spirit of God.
The only way to have a sober mind is to fill our minds with divine truth. When trials or temptation comes, we need to cast down imaginations (2Corinthians 10:3-6), and think on things that are true (Philippians 4:8).
In that moment of decision, stop and ask yourself “what is true?” and apply God’s word to it. Walk in the Spirit and choose to believe God’s word over how you feel. Contrary to popular belief, you can help it, you do have a choice, and it is possible to be free of emotional instability and bondage to habitual sin.
Pray for the Lord’s help to remember truth, resist temptation, and remain triumphant.
If we want to be an example in discipleship, we must be sober-minded women.
Be an Example of Teaching Good Things
The fourth way a spiritual mentor is to be an example in discipleship is by being a teacher of good things. This is a woman who is humble, faithful, and able to instruct in the word and ways of God.
Women of all ages need to know the word of God. The more we know the word of God, the more we know God himself. And the more we know God, the more we love him. The more we love him, the more glory we bring to his name, and that is our sole purpose in life.
Sound doctrine is key
A teacher of good things instructs her disciples in sound doctrine. To teach it you must know it, so that means you’ll have to study! If you want to learn how to study your Bible, read this.
Women can be an example in discipleship of sanctified behavior, speaking truth, being sober, and teaching sound doctrine, by studying the scriptures, surrendering to God’s will, and being Spirit-filled. We have to be intentional to invest in our spiritual maturity for spiritual stability and a fruitful ministry.
Titus 2 discipleship is about teaching the next generation of women how to love God, love others, and live for Jesus in the midst of this lost world. Click To Tweet
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More on Biblical Discipleship:
Guest Post on Biblical Discipleship- Barriers and Blessings
5 Properties of Biblical Discipleship
3 Keys to Bearing the Burdens in Discipleship
Building the Discipleship Relationship
The Call to Invest: Biblical Discipleship For Women
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Good truth on how we ought to act, think and do. Thanks for reinforcing the Word!
Thanks for reading, I appreciate ya! 🙂
These are great truths to remember! I really love how you broke down this verse and depth. May God help us live out Godly lives in our behavior and not just words.
Praise the Lord! Make sure to check back for the rest of the series! 🙂
Over the last 2 years, my faith has been growing and growing. I dive into the bible every day, and I love my time. Thank you for writing this, it really put my things into perspective for me.
I especially love: Be intentional to invest in your spiritual growth, be an example to other women by being sober, speaking truth, and having sanctified behavior. Give them something they will want to follow and learn from!
❤️
I’m glad it was a blessing to ya! Thanks for reading and commenting, I appreciate it. Blessings! 🙂
Wonderful info! I want to come back and read it again……..
Praise the Lord, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully the next installments will be a blessing too. 🙂
Thank you for writing!! 🙂
Thanks for reading! 🙂
I really enjoyed this post. I especially agree that you have to get a handle on your thinking before you can address your actions!
It’s so true!! Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings! 🙂
Such good teaching Annie!! The Lord showed me that the greatest thing I can impart to the younger ladies around me is my joy in Christ. For the longest time when I was a young lady searching, I didn’t want to ‘cross over’ into the ‘Christian world’ (so to speak) and become like the Christian ladies around me because they had no joy! They looked so miserable lol and I would think ‘who the heck wants that?” lolol! Thank you for your beautiful post!! Look forward to reading more of your writing!! Be blessed sweet lady!! xoxo Donna
Praise the Lord! I love that, we do have to be intentional to walk in the joy of the Lord. Great point! Thanks for reading, I appreciate your feedback!! 🙂
What an amazing breakdown! Thanks x
Thanks for reading! 🙂