EquippedMama

But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching. ² Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. ³ Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good. ⁴ In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.

Titus 2:1-5 NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Did any of you have a mid-life mom crisis when you had your first child?

When my oldest was born, I had recently quit my full-time job and was anticipating staying home with my little one for the foreseeable future. Once an athlete, my postpartum body rebelled at the idea of jumping back into 5ks and track workouts. I wasn’t at the center of a thriving social group and my energy levels were at an all-time low. When people would ask about “what I did” I was quick to mention that I was a stay at home mom- “at least for now”-allowing me the unspoken caveat that I could return to a paying job at any point.

After all, what’s a mom to do? In our culture, women are described as successful if they are eternally youthful, powerful, and successful. Let’s be real, there isn’t too much glamorous about changing pull-ups, shaping playdough, or encouraging potty time (plus whatever you moms of older children do!) Yet, in the Bible there are multiple occasions where the writer states that a proper responses in the home are spotlights for the Gospel. One such passage which we are exploring today is Titus 2- where Paul clearly outlines godly expectations for young women- and mamas- this means us.

We are told that the older women are supposed to be the ones modeling these expectations for us- exhibiting behavior of one who is holy, women who have control over their bodies- and especially their tongues (vs. 3). They are to be teaching the younger women (us) what is good. He then goes on to explain what these characteristics of “good teaching” are-but let us pause for a moment and think about the first part of this passage. Is there an older woman in your life who has really excelled in raising her children and keeping a godly home? Is there anything you could learn from her?

I think it is interesting how often young moms all pool together their lack of experience and ask each other for advice, when women 20, 30, 40 years older are often neglected for godly input. Paul encourages the older women in Titus to be encouraging younger women in their callings as wives and mothers. This, however, requires that the younger women have teachable and humble spirits, ones that are open to being taught and directed. Might I encourage you to seek out a godly older woman who might be able to serve as an example to you in your journey of mothering? Consider the characteristics that Paul outlines- seek a woman who is in control of her own body, who is not hurtful with her words, and who desires to invest in the lives of younger women. She might be one of the best resources you have as a mama.

So what are the good things that Paul wants the older women teaching us?

In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.

Titus 2:4-5 NET Bible

I don’t know if you find this list encouraging or discouraging, but this seems like a lofty list for any woman to accomplish, and definitely not one which will win recognition or notoriety. Did you notice that almost all the “good teaching” that older women are passing along to the younger generation encompasses matters of the heart? We are to be loving. Self-controlled. Pure. Kind. Subject to our own husbands. Our priorities, as seen in this passage, therefore, are to be the needs of our households, and the God-ordained roles that God has instituted for families (see Ephesians 5:22-33- but more on that later).

And for what purpose are we to do these things? So that those who see us will see the message of God lived out in our lives and realize the reality of the Gospel. By being obedient and serving our families, we are able to serve as a megaphone for the good news of Jesus Christ.

So… when you change another diaper, feed another cranky toddler, wash another suspicious stain out of the carpet- consider the eternal significance of your actions. Are you reflecting the Gospel of Jesus in your attitudes and motivations? When your husband forgets to do something as him to and your desire is to nag and criticize, do you choose to respond in love so that you might reflect the Gospel of Jesus? This is a high calling, and by no means easy- especially if your children do not articulate gratitude and if you are sleep deprived.

But in your doing, consider the value of your actions, and let me encourage you that you are not “just” a mom. Also- this is not to discredit the work you do outside the home- whether at work or in a volunteer capacity. However, let me encourage you that you have the incredible priviledge to preach the Gospel to your family in your home through your actions and attitudes. You have the chance to reflect Christ.

⁵ You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

⁶  who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

⁷ but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

⁸ He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross!

⁹ As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11 NET Bible