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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Titus 2:3-5
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.”
The culture of the extended family.
In the western culture, with our independence and mobility, we have lost the value and principle of the extended family. It never ceases to bless me when I visit the Pacific Islands or their communities here in Auckland, N.Z., and see the natural extended family culture in operation. Yes, of course, as with anything else, there are downsides but I believe the benefits outweigh any negatives 100:1.
The Church ‘Family’ is one way of redressing the balance. No one in the Church is superfluous or redundant. We all have our part to play, and largely, it is up to us to seek God and find out what it is, and then under the blessing of the leaders to carry it out. Very seldom will leaders stop you doing what God has laid on your heart – particularly when it will build up the Body.
I do not agree with a lot of speculation, which suggests that Paul was against women’s ministry – I believe he just liked it put in its proper perspective. Here he releases them into a vital ministry, including teaching. This chapter deals with teaching for different groups; however, I wanted to look at these verses particularly because I believe they are significant and highlight an area which is often neglected in our strategies today.
I have shown in both of the devotional books how the role of the woman is vitally important. Regardless of what men may say or think to the contrary, women are the real ‘backbone’ of society in every culture. They have a major impact on family life – the nucleus of civilisation. It is a fundamental fact of life that mothers have the major influence over children, in that they carried them in their womb, weaned them at their breasts, nurtured them on their knees and watched over them during their school/informative years. (Incidentally, I do not under-estimate the role of fathers either.)
Older women and grandmothers also have a tremendous role. They can have an amazing influence on their grandchildren and should see it as a priority and delight – serving their children. Not only that, they often make up the major prayer intercessors’ groups but they can also influence younger women, help train them in bringing up their children and how to become wonderful wives.
Church leaders should put a greater priority on seeing how this can be worked out and by maybe linking up folk to facilitate this ministry. Particularly as it is probably more effective on a one-on-one basis, rather than in a classroom situation.
If you are an older lady, why not ‘adopt’ a young one? If you are a younger one, why not seek out an older one for counsel and support? (Men should do the same.)
After all, we are all a part of the ‘Family of God.’
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