Reach Out And Teach Someone

REACH OUT AND TEACH SOMEONE TITUS 2:3-5

Introduction: The Apostle Paul in the second chapter of Titus instructs Titus as the pastor of the church in Crete how to make the church beautiful. He deals with each gender and age group in the church. He begins with the senior members of the church and their responsibility to transfer the legacy of faith to the next generation and then with the younger believers and their responsibilities. we must take it upon ourselves to instruct the young people in our lives--one person at a time.

He begins with challenging men to step it up spiritually through redemptive relationships. And likewise he speaks to the women who need to reach out and teach someone. Our focus this Mother’s day is one the instructions given to both the older and younger Christian women in the church.

I. Senior Christian Women are to set the Example

A. Christian women are to live in a way that honors God in everything.

B. (Note: “older” or “aged” - is not a reference to elderliness but to seniority)

C. Titus 2:3 “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” (NASB) – “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good.”

D. They are to be reverent in behavior –

1. “Behavior” points to their demeanor or inner character.

a. (katasteima) - "a state, a condition, a manner of life".

b. This is the only place this word is used in the New Testament. However, In observing the usage of the word in the writings of Josephus, Plutarch, and a few other Grecian sources, it is seen that the word "behavior" referred to a person’s condition or state.

c. In modern American, the word "behavior" refers to conduct or manners. But in the older English of 1611, as in the Greek, "behavior" referred much more to a life condition, to a person’s inner characteristics, which would, in turn, lead to an outward behavior. – Doud

d. Behavior that is “suitable for the temple” (holiness": (hieroprepeis), from (hiero), "temple" + (prepeis)) or “suitable for worship”

2. “Reverent” literally means “suitable to a sacred person,” or a priestess in a temple.

a. When this word was used to describe a person, it meant "worthy of reverence or respect".

b. It was used in literature outside the Bible to describe the conduct of a priest in the Greek temple.

c. When this word was used to describe a person, it meant "worthy of reverence or respect". The older woman is to have a reputation or manner of life that is worthy of respect as a mature woman of God.

3. An often-told but unverified story from the life of Alexander the Great tells of a time a soldier in his army was brought before him for continual fighting with his fellow soldiers. The great general asked the soldier his name. The soldier replied, "Alexander." The general glared at the soldier with whom he shared the same name and responded, "Either change your behavior or change your name." In the same way, bearing the name of Christ calls us to uphold and accept God’s high standards. – Source: Life & Work Ventures, LifeWay Christian Resources, Winter 1998–99.

E. They are to control their speech

1. Titus 2:3 “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” (NASB) – “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good.”

2. “Slanderers” or “Malicious Gossips” is a single word in Greek that is used 34 times in the Bible of the devil! The Greek word here is the plural feminine of diabolos. The verb form means "to throw through; to throw over; to defame; to inform against; to bring charges with hostile intent." It is where we get the English word - diabolical.

3. It literally means to throw things at people. A godly woman will not repeat damaging stories about others. She will not spread rumors or half-truths that damage someone’s reputation or sows discord

4. Proverbs 6: 16-19 “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

5. Not given to much wine – The literal translation of the Greek, “quarrelsome when in his cups” suggests that Paul is stating that women are not to talk and act like those who linger over alcohol. There is a connection between a loose or unbridled tongue and intoxicating drink.