Titus is one of my favorite books of the Bible. In it, the apostle Paul instructs Titus how to plant churches in Crete. He gave him the character and conduct guidelines for the pastor, and the congregation, and in Titus 2:3-5 the biblical mandate for discipleship among women. Paul says that the aged women in the church are to be teachers of good things, but what does that look like? Here are 9 Characteristics of a teacher of good things.
9 Characteristics of a Teacher of Good Things:
- Faithful
- Available
- Intentional
- Humble
- Knowledgeable
- Wise
- Patient
- Sober
- Spirit-filled
Faithful
A teacher of good things must be steadfast and loyal, a devoted disciple who walks closely with the Lord and obeys his word.
1Timothy 3:11~ Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Available
A teacher of good things must make herself available to listen to, encourage, instruct, and pray for her disciple. She carves out time to invest the good things of God’s word.
Intentional
A teacher of good things is purposed and diligent to reach out to younger women and to strategically build relationships. She intentionally invests the scriptures into the next generation.
Psalm 145:4~ One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Humble
A teacher of good things instructs with meekness and humility. She places herself underneath the authority and leadership of Christ, his word, and his delegated authorities within her home, church, and community.
2Timothy 2:25~ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Knowledgeable
A teacher of good things studies God’s word so she can teach sound doctrine from a place of authority. She knows the gospel and the good things of the word of God that need to be taught.
Wise
A teacher of good things is a woman who fears the Lord and walks in his ways. She shares wise counsel and leads with wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10~ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Patient
A teacher of good things recognizes that everyone is in a different place with the Lord and she is understanding, longsuffering, and forbearing.
Ephesians 4:2~ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Sober
A teacher of good things is sober-minded and filters her thoughts through God’s word so that her teaching is profitable, pleasant, and proclaims the truth. She exercises self-control and discipline over her emotions.
Spirit-filled
A teacher of good things allows the Holy Spirit of God to teach through her. She exhibits love, joy, and peace, and walks by faith.
Look for it and live it out
If you’re a younger woman looking for an older woman to disciple you, make sure she has these 9 characteristics of a teacher of good things before you follow her.
And if you want to disciple other women, make sure you have godly character and conduct. Ask the Lord to help you develop these 9 characteristics of a teacher of good things. Spend time in his word and live it out. Surrender your own will and old ways.
Allow God to mold you into the mature Christian woman he wants you to be, so you can invest sound doctrine into the next generation of women.
Titus 2:4-5~ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
For more articles on Titus 2 and biblical discipleship:
Teaching the Young Women to “Be Good”
More than a Maid: Defining a “Keeper at Home”
Barriers and Blessings of Biblical Discipleship: A Big Sister’s Perspective
A Help Meet under Headship: Obedient to their Husband
5 Properties of Biblical Discipleship
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This was encouraging to read. I’ve also sat under the ministry of one of these incredible older women and she also brought me to where I needed to be. I love how you add the maturity of this verse to your post. It really is a beautiful Scripture and commission for us as women especially as we head on to minister to other women.
I really love the part on solid doctrine. Today, there is a lot of doctrine blowing about and a subtle clothing of false doctrine as “Christian”. We need to lead the next generation and this generation with sound doctrine that shows them the heart of God. 🙂 Great post.
Praise the Lord, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It is up to each one of us in our respective generations to teach, counsel, and lead the next generation. If we don’t train them in godliness, wisdom, and truth, who will? Thank you for reading and your sweet comments, I appreciate it! Blessings! 🙂
Hi! Love your detailed presentation and although it’s based on a spiritual context, I think it also applies to teachers beyond that. Sharing on my Fb page. Can’t see your pin button. xoxo
This is so well written; thanks for sharing!
Praise the Lord. I appreciate your feedback! Blessings to ya! 🙂
Beautiful! I’m so thankful for the women God has placed in my life who teach me these ways!
Me too! I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them. They inspire me to be that woman for other women! 🙂
So important to have one of these and eventually be one of these. Both are needed for growth and kingdom living. GREAT post topic! Shared in several places! Blessings!
Yes it is! Thank you so much for the feedback and shares, I appreciate it! Blessings right back at ya! 🙂
I love this! I’ve felt such a heaviness lately to be that type of person in general, but especially for my kids. It all starts at home and we are their first teachers.
Yes! Our kids are definitely our primary investment and we’re instructed to teach them the scriptures so they can be “wise into salvation”. Raising disciples is a worthy work! Blessings to ya as you endeavor to train them up in the way they should go. 😊
Amen my Sister! I truly believe the reason sound doctrine counters false teaching, corrects wrong thinking, promotes right living, saves the sinner, sanctifies the saint, and establishes and grows a local church is because there is power in the Word of God. I would be terrified to ever teach something contrary to the truth. You are an amazing teacher! ❤
The word is powerful!! I just love it! Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate your feedback! Blessings to ya. 😊
I love especially the illustration of PATIENT that you used. What a wonderful post! I shared it in my Titus Women’s Club!!
Thank you so much Tammy, you’re sweet! 🙂
Annie, this is a great list! The one that jumped off the page to me was – available! In today’s fast-paced society it’s not very often that we come across those who are “available.” It’s really very sad.
Face to face connections are dying, and yet this is something that we crave!
I could get going on a tangent, but I wont. 😉 Great post!
You are exactly right Rachel! Thank you for reading and for your feedback, you’re a blessing! 🙂