I don't know how many are reading blogs lately. Other than Lindsay's I don't read many these days. There seems to be so much more to do. So I don't know if anyone will see this anytime soon. If you do, think with me about Titus 2. Paul gives Titus some instructions for the church. He says to tell the older women to teach the younger women -- then gives a list of the things they are to teach. He says the same about the older men teaching the younger men.
I wonder how this is supposed to be done? I know that mothers should teach their daughters these things (love your husband, love your children, be discreet, chaste, keepers at home). But these instructions here in Titus are to the church ladies. One of the spiritual gifts God provides believers is teaching. So the church ladies have this responsibility as well as the mothers.
So how is it to be done? Sunday school classes are good. Bible studies are good. Most of the ways we know of are done in formal teaching settings - non-threatening and non-personal. I've talked with lots of young women who need teaching in these areas. Some of them know they need it and some of them will know soon. But what about the older ones teaching it? I've talked with lots of older women who know the younger ones need it but I'm not sure they are ready to teach it. Some don't think they can teach. Some don't think the teaching will be received.
How about some brainstorming - older or younger -- if you read this - please give me your ideas from either side. Do you want to be taught? Do you want to do the teaching? Where? How? Are you willing to sacrifice to learn? Are you willing to sacrifice to teach?
Titus 2 is not an option. It is a command.
1 comment:
It's very interesting to me that you would open a discussion on this topic. One of my new friends and I have been discussing this exact topic at great length.
I don't think Titus 2 teachings are ever going to be done well in a Bible study or Sunday school class. In my opinion, the best way for an older woman to impart her knowledge and wisdom to a younger woman would be in the development of a personal relationship. It takes time and effort to build a relationship in which people are willing to accept instruction.
I have felt strongly that God is calling me to focus solely on my role in my family and being a true "homemaker". My family is my ministry and that is where I want to spend my efforts. To that end, I have made some radical changes in my schedule and my outside activities.
One of the things that I have reconsidered is the taking of meals to other families. I know that is such a worthwhile ministry. But I think we women, are getting our heads pumped full of what other people think we need to be doing (and in and of themselves...those things are not bad) and our focus is being taken away from our primary ministry and that is our family. It is very hard for a mother with very young children and a husband to care for as well to make and deliver meals.
But, this is an absolutely necessary area of service. It puts a major strain on our household when I volunteer to deliver a meal.
So who could do it, if not me?
I think it would be a perfect non-threatening opportunity for an older woman to take a meal to a younger woman and start planting those little seeds of love and care and the development of a relationship.
Personally, I am more likely to respond to kindness, experience and widsom than another "class". And once that relationship has been developed, the door is wide open for instruction of all kinds.
Georgia
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