July 1, 2009
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Titus 2 Older Women – Are we fulfilling our duty?
This quote came from a radio program from Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s website on Titus 2 older women. The quote is from Elisabeth Elliot and I think it goes along with what our pastor has been preaching. What do you think? Are we, as older women in the body of Christ, obeying this command? Can you older women think of one younger woman that you have deliberately come alongside in order to train/teach her in the specifics of the Titus 2 command? I am evaluating that command in light of my own life.This is Sister Ellis.. one of my dear older Titus 2 friends who has left a very deep mark on my life. Her life has forever changed mine towards godliness! I spent many fridays in her home over the years along with a group of other women. She taught me that a woman can have great influence for Christ from her home. We made quilts for the poor, fellowshipped, read God’s Word and prayed. She will be 89 years on the 4th of July!
My experience is that there are few ‘Sister Ellis’ in the church body. Because of that lack God has gracious given me a few godly women close to my own age to exhort, train and encourage me. I’m eternally grateful!Here is the quote…”She (Elisabeth Elliot) laughed one day and said, “Women are so busy right now. They are doing underwater macramé just to keep from discipling and training and being older women in the lives of others.” I mean, how silly is underwater macramé? But we find a lot of reasons for being busy and not reaching in by the mandate of God to other lives.”Titus 2:3-9: Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
ESV
Comments (6)
A very timely message! i am going to pray more diligently about my role as a Titus 2 woman. i have been guilty of making myself busy so that i am not fulfilling my duty in this regard, although i haven’t yet taken up underwater macrame!
I guess I am in the “older women” category, and have been very grateful for the young ladies God sends my way. I have been ask by quite a few to mentor them, and to guide them in raising their children. One couple even invited my husband and I to go on vacation with them so we could observe their interaction as a family and speak into their lives. What an honor!
I did not find Titus 2 women until I found Xanga. I have never had an older woman sow into my life, except my oldest sister and mother. I am trying to be a Titus 2 woman to women younger than myself. I don’t have as much to offer as I will one day, but at least I can give what I have. I wish women’s ministry still existed. I have not been to a church with a spiritual women’s ministry in probably 15 years. The whole topic is makes me sad.
Love this! So true we all need Titus 2 ladies in our lives. By the way, you are beautiful!
Underwater macrame…that made me laugh at the idea, but it’s a pretty good analogy for how we do make ourselves so busy, trying our hand at everything that comes along. I will give this concept prayerful thought….my first instinct is to say that “No one comes my way,” but on second thought, I realize that is not true. I just need to see with eyes that see, and I notice that, yes, there are younger women placed in my path. The question is, Am I ready to be a godly example to them? Can I commit to that? Yes, I want to! Thanks for showing me this.
As I read the verse you posted I realized just how much I am lacking in all these areas & wish there was an older woman in my church to teach me! Great post… I hope & pray to be able to be a Titus 2 woman myself one day.