Titus 2 Men And Women

God's Calling For Titus 2 Women
by Sharon Merhalski

God never hesitated to mention women in the Bible and  He never chose NOT to use them for His glory.  Women are VIPs in God’s eyes. After all He created us in His image, and He created us for a purpose...many...and one of those purposes is for ‘ministry’ work. 

God has called women---me and you--and all women to a work/ministry.  The ministry that He calls us to can save marriages, build local New Testament churches, give character to children, make better homemakers and submissive wives.  And, as my husband pointed out to me, this sooooo very important ministry is so exclusive and ‘in particular’ ---specific-- that  God does not give this responsibility to the pastor of a church or to the husband of a wife.  God calls women to ministry work for building and rebuilding individual women ---which builds families, which strengthens churches.  God calls women to  ministry work as stated in Titus 2:3-6:

3.  "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.  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
 5.  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Minister = Webster’s dictionary = a servant, to give help to.

Ministry = the act of ministering or serving.

A great lady (now in Heaven) who was an author, conference speaker, and Titus 2 woman to all women,  called me to her home about 4 years ago.  When she did this I always knew that she wanted to teach me to carry on the burden of getting women to reproduce themselves in other women--to be Titus 2 women.  On that particular day she shared her burden of the quality of college student that had arrived on campus that year.  Students that the staff was sure did NOT have mothers!  Young people that had obviously raised themselves!

This great lady and my friend, firmly believed, and caused me to firmly believe, that if women do not start accepting their calling of God to make a difference in the lives of women the local church as we know it today will be almost non-existent in another 10 years.  I have taken a long look at toddlers, teens, young people and college students in the church.  It is all too obvious that far too many of them have not been taught basic skills.  And for the girls, it is far too often obvious that they have not been taught how to talk, walk, sit, stand, or act like a lady.  And so many young Christian mothers whose children kick, hit, spit, back talk them---and run the home-- have obviously not been taught to rear godly, strong, Christians.  I praise the Lord for the many women who invested themselves in me when I was a very young Christian and mom.

Often I go to a large Christian Book Store and  peruse the "Christian Women’s Magazines".  I don’t often buy the magazines, but I do like to see what is being written to women and what the ‘trends’ are.

For about the last two years there has been a "cry" across "Christendom" for women to make a difference in the lives of other women.  This cry/plea has been for mentors-- counselors-- Titus 2 women.  Not a cry specifically for good wives, help-meets, good mothers...but for women to make a difference in the lives of other women....just as God has asked us to do in Titus 2.

In the May, 2002 issue of the Focus on the Family Magazine there is just such an article entitled, "Women Helping Women."

Why this cry?  Because "Christendom is seeing the evidence of the problem that

I heard James Dobson address as becoming major 25 years ago..  He stated that the reason the divorce rate was climbing inside of the churches was because women went to work and stopped gathering as women.  All through history--and in Bible times--women gathered to do their chores  together:  They did their wash, cooked, cared for their children and later in history they had canning bees, quilting bees, Tupperware parties, baby, anniversary and wedding showers, etc.  Women naturally taught each other by gathering because women like to talk and share....we are relationship oriented.  I remember going to Tupperware parties and such with my mother and leaning much from listening to the women talk.  I learned much about husbands, homes, and child rearing when I was very young by listening to women counsel/mentor/help women. 

Dr. Dobson said when women went to work much of our gathering as women ceased AND then the gigantic problem began: Because women were not getting their emotional support from women they expected to get all that they needed from their husbands.  Men are not relationship oriented...they are work oriented....and women began to feel empty and their unmet needs soon turned to disappointment, frustration and then to anger.  I believe this birthed the ERA movement.

Another problem we are living with in the church: I believe too many churches in America pushed women to the background when liberal churches began ordaining women clergy.  Few churches today have women’s Sunday School classes like I was grown up/matured in Christ in.  Other women’s ministries were also quelled and a major problem was created in the lives of women.  Where once we  had the church to gather in, share, and solve our problems as women...one day that was gone too.

So what can we do to answer the call across Christendom....to answer God’s call for us to minister to women?  First, we need to know our call is from God.

Why are we qualified to make a difference for God?

--We were made in God’s image.  WE were not made as a second class after thought.

--We were redeemed at a great price....and this truth should give us all of the confidence we need to step into the role God has called us to.

I Peter 1:18-19---" Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Galatians 3:28--- "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

The way of salvation is the same for man or woman.  Each is a sinner and must personally trust Jesus Christ alone to save us from an eternal hell.  At salvation the Holy Spirit comes to indwell each individual, and to give each one spiritual gifts as he wills.

So we as women are qualified and equipped for ministry by redemption.

--God has always used women in key ministries for Him.

(The following examples are taken from Women Mentoring Women by Vickie Kraft.)

SARAH---is given as a model to follow in relationship to our own husbands.  I Peter 3:1-6.  Her respect and response to Abraham reflects a godly attitude and submission.

MIRIAM---the sister of Moses is called a prophetess.  Exodus 15:20,21

A prophetess is one who speaks God’s Word....as I am doing today.  Miriam is called one of the leaders in Israel  Micah 6:4

DEBORAH---was a judge and a prophetess.  She commanded Barak to lead the army when he was unwilling to step forward in to leadership.  The children of Israel came up to her for judgement. Her words of poetry in Judges 4 and 5 are recorded in the Bible.

HANNAH---was a woman who had total commitment to God, she made a vow and kept it.  Her deep faith and commitment gave Israel Samuel, a leader who turned a nation around, introduced a kingdom and anointed Israels’s first two kings.  I Samuel 9:16

ABAGAIL---rescued her household by demonstrating great courage and initiative.  She gave David wise counsel, calling him back to God, thereby saving him from taking murderous revenge.  I Samuel 25

Remember young Josiah, when discovering God’s law and that it had been neglected so long sent Hilkiah the high priest, to inquire of the Lord on what to do, he in turn went to HULDAH the prophetess, for God’s direction, even though both Jeremiah and Zephaniah also prophets of the Lord, were living in Jerusalem at the same time.  II Kings 22:11-20

It has been taught that women can only do certain jobs if there are no men available.  This passage does not support that assertion.

The entire book of ESTHER recounts the story of a courageous young woman who risked her life and position as queen to save her people from a murderous enemy.

We all know the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, that her value is far above rubies for she is a Godly wife and mother and takes care of her household, puts everyone before herself, buys a field and plants a vineyard, makes linen, sells it, etc.  IS THERE NOTHING A WOMAN CANNOT DO? 

Do you know who God had to teach us about the Proverbs 31 women?  Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother!  God still uses us even after we commit sin---if we truly repent.

Women were also qualified in the New Testament.

Women were prominent in the life of Jesus.  This was in a day when the Rabbis said they would rather teach a dog than to teach a woman and would rather burn the Torah than to teach a women, Jesus taught women spiritual truth.

Luke 10:38-40; John 4, 11:1-44

Jesus spoke publicly to women when, by contrast a rabbi would not even speak publicly to his wife.   He also let women travel with him during his public ministry.  Matt. 27:55 and Luke 8:1-3.

Although women were not considered to be reliable witnesses in a legal matter, Jesus certainly considered them to be valid witnesses by the fact that he gave them responsibility and opportunity to be the first to testify of his resurrection.

Many of his parables, and illustrations contained examples that women would particularly identify with

The lost coin, Luke 15:8-10

Childbirth and labor, John 16:21

Yeast and Bread---Luke 13.20-21

Jesus demonstrated unusual sensitivity and compassion toward women and performed miracles for them.  He healed their sick and raised their dead to life.  Luke 4:38-39

Luke 13:10-17,  John 11:1-44

Even in the face of open sexual sin He forgave them and offered them new life.  John 4:4-42, John 8:1-11.

Jesus guaranteed Mary of Bethany’s remembrance in history for he love and generosity as she poured very expensive and precious oil upon him  Mark 14:3-9. 

This give us insight into how God  considers our talents, limitations, and opportunities when He gives us our final report card.  Jesus never spoke condescendingly to women, never made derogatory jokes about women, never humiliated or exploited women.  No wonder they loved Him.  Moreover, women did not deny, betray, or desert Him. They were last at the cross and first at the tomb and, after the resurrection, He appeared first to a woman, Mary Magdalene.

THE EARLY CHURCH---

Does God record women ministering in the early church?

--Women were present at Pentecost.  Acts 2:1-4 ; 1:12-15. 

--There were both male and female in the upper room.  AS the spirit descended upon the 120 they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost. and speaking to others Acts 2:4, Acts 2:14-14

There were instances also where women were not treated well, but these were related to man’s laws and we cannot blame God for that.

There are many more instances in the Bible that God gives to us of how He worked in and through women for His glory.  We need to remember that God does not look down upon those that He has made to sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus---Ephesians 2:6

God knows what we have done in His name and He will not forget our labor of love. And what is the labor of love---ministry-- God is calling ALL women to?  To Be Titus 2 Women.

Titus 2:3-6.  Now let’s read these three verses and dissect them to see exactly what God wants us to teach other women...starting in our homes with our own daughters.

Read Titus 2:3-6
(The words in Caps are defined from the Strong’s Concordance under the verses.)

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in BEHAVIOUR as becometh HOLINESS, not false ACCUSERS, not given to much WINE, teachers of GOOD THINGS;
Titus 2:4That they may TEACH the young women to be SOBER, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5To beDISCREET, CHASTE, keepers at home, GOOD, OBEDIENT to their own husbands, that the word of God be not BLASPHEMED.

VERSE 3

1)BEHAVIOUR = behaviour, demeanour, deportment, (deportment means the manner of conducting oneself)

2)HOLINESS = as becometh holiness; befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God 2) reverent

3)ACCUSERS = devil, false accuser , slanderer;

4)WINE = wine , winepress; metaph. fiery wine of God's wrath

5)GOOD THINGS = teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness

VERSE 4

1)TEACH = teach to be sober ; 1)restore one to his senses 2) to moderate, control, curb, disciple 3) to hold one to his duty 4) to admonish, to exhort earnestly

God emphasized this teaching---for He used the word twice in this passage---the translator used different  English words.

2) SOBER = (Yes, same word as above) teach to be sober ; 1)restore one to his senses 2) to moderate, control, curb, disciple 3) to hold one to his duty 4) to admonish, to exhort earnestly

VERSE 5

1) DISCREET = - sober , temperate , discreet;
a)  of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses b) curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate

2) CHASTE =  pure , chaste , clear ;
a) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred b) pure b-1) pure from carnality, chaste, modest b-2) pure from every fault, immaculate b-3) clean

3) GOOD = of good constitution or nature a) useful, salutary b) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy c) excellent, distinguished d) upright, honorable

4) OBEDIENT = a)  put under , be subject unto , be subject to , submit (one's) self unto , submit (one's) self to , to yield to one's admonition or advice b) to obey, be subject ; A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

5 )BLASHPHEMED = blaspheme 17, speak evil of 1, rail on , blasphemer, speak blasphemy; a) to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme 2) to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

After I dissected these verses with the Strong’s Concordance my hubby took a look and just stared.  He then asked, "Do you realize how much responsibility God gives to women for other women’s lives and actions?  This is incredible for this responsibility was not given to the pastor of a church nor to the husband of a wife.  This command and responsibility for ministry was given to women by God."

I firmly believe if women said, "yes" to God, accepting their calling of God, we would never have the time to be idle and have the devil work in that idleness. We certainly would not have the time to second guess the preacher, watch daytime television, or gossip.  If we truly accepted this call of God to ministry we would need to be in constant preparation to make a difference in the lives of other women....to prepare ourselves first to " be in BEHAVIOUR as becometh HOLINESS, not false ACCUSERS, not given to much WINE, teachers of GOOD THINGS; So that we can be ready to obey God and our mandate in:

Titus 2:4...TEACH the young women to be SOBER, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Titus 2:5To beDISCREET, CHASTE, keepers at home, GOOD, OBEDIENT to their own husbands, that the word of God be not BLASPHEMED.

Women are given a VIP--very important position in life...we are called to be wives, mothers, nurses, house keepers, cooks, gardeners, psychologist, and Bible teacher to our children.  We are to have the answer to every question a child can ask---whether they are a toddler or an adult, we are to be ready to teach Sunday School, sing in the choir, play an instrument, work in Awana’s, have a bus route, go soul-winning...and be a Titus 2 woman to every woman that we come in contact with...our daughters first.   This list makes us tired doesn’t it?  This list should make us realize how very important our calling is to God first-- and then to our husbands, children and others is. 

Women in the world are looking for a rich and fulfilling life.  If only they, and many Christian women, would realize that we are called to the richest and most fulfilling life that there is....teaching all good things....first by our Book/epistle that is written for all to read...and then by our words and actions.

And why aren’t women in our churches today ministering to other women as God commands us to do?  Why aren’t we reaching out to hurting hearts...."of some having compassion, making a difference?" (Jude 22) 

Pastor Tim Young’s wife, in the ministry for over 30 years and has a deep concern for the next generation church if older women do not heed God’s call to minister/teach/counsel/mentor other women.  She gladly shared the following truths.

Reasons why women do not mentor---minister to older women:

• We no longer have strong generational ties. Families often live miles apart and other women need to fill the gap.
• So many women have older parents who live in nursing homes and have lost the value of aging.
• Women are tooooo busy with perhaps good things...but not the BEST things.
• Vanity--Women lost their perspective n aging---we try to keep young and if invested ourselves in younger women than ourselves we would be ever conscious of our age.
• There are very few examples of mentoring among women, so it is almost a lost art form.
• Younger women have not been taught to respect the aged women of the church and won’t listen.
• Women often don’t feel qualified to mentor and need to be encouraged.  Remember we don’t mentor alone---it is a partnership with God.
• Older women often think that they deserve a break when their nests become empty.  Chapter and verse please?
• Sharing our lives makes us vulnerable.  Sharing our failure, sins, struggles, is never easy.
• There is a risk to pointing people to the truth.

Older women are commanded to pass on to the younger the knowledge that they have gained.  (Remember that the word "older" does not always have to do with our age in years.  It also denotes our maturity in the Lord and our years we have been saved.)

 What are the advantages for an older woman to "pass" on her knowledge?

• Replaces the loneliness of the older years.
• It gives a deep abiding satisfaction that only comes from helping others.
• It helps us to recapture memories of the past and the lessons that life has taught us.  We can "give" our life away this way:

----all you have learned

---all you have gained in the Lord

---all you have lost---broken dreams, grief, friends,

---all the pain you have experienced

---all the joys you have known

---all the love you have for the Lord!!!

---all you have survived...with joy!!!

• Helps to make the next generation strong, faithful, determined, persevering!!!
• Brings you a quality of life you never dreamed possible.
• Energizes your battery

Mentoring other does not mean we have to spend a lot of time with others.  Sometimes it is a simple as being a loving, Godly, caring example.  Spirituality is sometimes better "caught" than taught.  Younger women need to see it lived out.

Us "older" women need to ask ourselves:  What am I doing today that will impact the next generation of women for Jesus Christ? "

Women are called to ministry work.  And the ministry work outlined in 3 verses in Titus 2 is comprehensive in scope.  There is no reason for a women to want to be ordained to be a VIP in the church.  Titus 2 calls her to change lives, build marriages , help raise godly children of so many families, encourage and strengthen women to be all that God wants them to be....thereby building churches for today and for the future.

She’s Waiting
Titus 2:3

There’s a younger woman needing
Some time from your fast-wound clock.
There’s a younger woman hoping
For some help from your well-worn Book.

She needs what you have gleaned
From that grain on the rocky path.
She needs the oil that someone poured
When you feared instead their wrath.

She has a hurt that has left her
With a wound as big as life,
And a question you could answer
If you’d only be "midwife."

Perhaps someone has wronged her
And she knows she’s to forgive
But no one’s ever taught her how
So she waits --- to guilt captive.

Or perhaps someone abused her
And violated trust,
And she wonders if our God likes that
Or if He really is so just.

She’s waiting by a well
That could heal her thirsty soul,
But if you don’t draw and give to her
She may never be made whole.

--For Sharon Merhalski
And The Titus 2 ministries
www.titus2menandwomen.org

--By David M. Atkinson
March 30, 2002

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