Doctrine for Older Women

9 August 2020 AM – Titus 2:3 – Tit20 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Every time a certain little boy went to a playmate’s house, he found the child’s grandmother reading her Bible. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. “Why do you suppose your grandmother reads the Bible so much?” he asked. “I’m not sure,” said his friend, “but I think it’s because she’s cramming for her final exams.” __ Well, that may be one reason to study your Bible, but today we are going to see several practical reasons for knowing and living Bible doctrine.
Transition: We are going to break down Titus 2:3 into three sections as we examine God’s doctrine for older women.
  1. The Addressees
a.         Titus is to address aged women
1)         Women are just as important to God as men. Last week, we took a brief look at the roles of men and women.
2)         God created male and female as human equals but with distinct roles. Rather than fight the role He gave you, it is much wiser to recognize that our all-wise God made no mistakes when He created you and gave you your gender and your role.
3)         God ordained marriage between one man and one woman for life to complement their roles. God’s role for men is lovingly to lead and provide for their wives and His role for women is submissively to complete their husbands. For details, see Genesis 3 and Ephesians 5.
b.         The aged women must be good examples
1)         Last week we established that “aged” simply means older than those who still have children at home.
2)         If any of your children have left home, you are old enough that God wants you to have a positive input into the lives of the younger women. That is a privilege and big responsibility. Take it seriously!
2.        The Connection
a.         Note the word “likewise”
1)         The word “likewise” literally means in like manner.
2)         Warren Wiersbe in his commentary states, “Possibly the word likewise in Titus 2:3 means that the older women were to have the same qualities as the older men, plus the additional ones listed.”
3)         Another possibility is that God is emphasising that the seriousness of the older women’s duties is no less than that of the older men. Both older men and older women have a great influence on the younger generation.
b.         The aged women are second in order of leadership
1)         God placed the older women after the older men in his order of leadership.
2)         When our world changes God’s order of leadership, relationships never work as smoothly as God intended. God said, (Colossians 3:18) “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.“
3.        Their Duties
If you are an older woman, here are some of the duties God has for you.
a.         Your behaviour must be exemplary.
1)         You are to be in behaviour as becometh holiness. To gain the most from this statement, we must examine its parts.
a)         The word behaviour refers to your conduct, deportment or demeanour. It is about the way you behave. It includes the way you talk, the way you dress, the way you treat your husband, the friends you keep, the things you watch, the things you read, etc. Really, it is about every area of your life.
b)         The words becometh holiness translate just one Greek word that means befitting of something sacred or suitable to a sacred character. It is living like those employed in sacred service. (Rogers) God had very strict holiness requirements that the O.T. priests and Levites had to follow. On one occasion, two of Aaron’s sons ignored God’s requirements and God struck them dead. On another occasion, Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant and God struck him dead. You, living a holy life is very important to God.
2)         God expects older women to conduct themselves in a holy manner worthy of God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.“
b.         You must guard your mouth.
1)         The phrase “not false accusers” literally means not slanderers. The word is diabolos, which is one of the names of the devil. In fact at least 29 times, it is translated “devil” in the Bible.
2)         Slander refers to words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another. This is a form of gossip, but it is actually spreading false information, which is even worse.
3)         You must carefully guard your mouth. This is not only true for the older women, but it is true for every one of us. (Proverbs 18:8) “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 15:28) “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.“
c.          You must not be enslaved, particularly to wine.
1)         The word used here refers to being enslaved.
2)         We live in a world of addiction. People are addicted to junk food, to alcohol, to drugs, to pornography, to ungodly music, to gambling, etc. God does not want you to be addicted to any vice.
3)         The very best way to avoid becoming addicted to any vice is to stay away from it completely.
4)         If you partake in some vice, even if you are able to control it, you are being a bad example for those around you. You may lead others into an addiction that they cannot break. Leading others astray is a serious sin (Lu 17:1-2).
5)         It is far better for you to become addicted to good things like reading your Bible, telling others about Christ, praying, praising God, serving the Lord, attending church or other godly deeds.
6)         If some vice presently enslaves you, seek help. You also need to claim God’s promise. (1 Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.“
d.         You must be a teacher of good things.
1)         This is all one word in the original language and it describes a teacher of good and honourable things.
2)         One commentator states, “The word does not refer to formal instruction, but rather the advice and encouragement they can give privately, by word and example.” (Kelly quoted by Rogers)
3)         Older women are to master good things so that they can teach the younger women what they have learned. You cannot teach others to do good things if you have not first learned to do them yourself. Paul goes on in verses 4-5 to identify some of the “good things” you are to master and teach. Lord willing, we will look at them next week.
4)         We live in a “mind-your-own-business” world, but God says that as Christians our business is to reach out to help others. It is our business to mentor those under us.
5)         Younger women are looking up to you as their example. Whether they admit it or not, they need you as their teacher.
Conclusion: If you are an older woman, God has given you several duties to perform as a mentor and example to the next generation. If God has showed you an area in one of your duties that is lacking, then ask Him to forgive you and to help you make the needed changes.
            Since older women are to teach these duties to the next generation, they really apply to each of us. Our conduct ought to be holy. We ought to guard our mouths. We ought not to be addicted to any vice. We ought to be teaching others how to live for God’s glory. Let God have His way in your life today.
Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388