Tuesday, March 19, 2024
In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered. In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us. Titus 2:3-8
Pass It On - Submitted by Donna Lindquist
In Titus 2:3-8, The Apostle Paul discussed how older men and women were to mentor and counsel those younger in their domestic and cultural roles, teaching life skills to prevent temptation and idleness.
A generation ago, it was the norm for a young person to observe an older family member, like a grandparent or parent, to learn a skill, trade or to ask questions about life. These older people had spent countless hours mentoring and demonstrating essential life lessons, like how to drive, or make to create a unique family recipe. They coached with extra practices, and provided guidance until a trade, or creative skill was mastered. Their methods provided hands-on training which imparted knowledge and experience. Today, YouTube and Google have replaced these valued relationships and is now the go- to methods of demonstrating a skill in order to pass on knowledge.
Proverbs 9:10 states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. So to truly understand the spiritual concepts of God, you must first acknowledge and reverence the things of God. For a new believer in Christ, spiritual insight begins with the study of God’s Word, prayer, and a mentoring relationship with a friend or trusted person, or pastor.
When you recall a favorite teacher from your school years, it is all about their personal connection. These teachers did more than just relay the facts of a subject or lecture, but motivated you to achieve more, act better or excel higher. Those teachers inspired you each day to keep going and challenged you to not give up.
So how can I pass on my faith and wisdom?
1. Be God’s willing instrument: A Christian with the guidance of the Spirit can impart knowledge and understanding to others from their own life experiences.
2. Pray for the opportunity to share your faith: Several scriptures encourage believers to pray and counsel one another. Col. 3:16 Acts 2:42 God will provide some opportunities for you to speak and mentor others.
3. Collaborate with other Christians: God’s Spirit indwells each believer and together through prayer and discipleship, there is wisdom. Prov. 12:15 God’s divine power has given everything you need for life and godliness. 2 Pet. 1:3
Christians need God’s Spirit each day to impart spiritual wisdom in every aspect of life, in simple daily interactions, and in every method of communication. Without God’s Spirit, we are just going through the motions, without any power, or spiritual fruit which may lead to temptation.
“ There is more to God and following in the Way of Jesus than getting a bunch of talented people together to hold a church service.” – Francis Chen, Forgotten God
“Christians have this dynamic power flowing through them to overcome the worse crisis, transform lives and live peacefully, but sometimes they fail to pay attention to the Spirit’s promptings. – Dr. Billy Graham, The Holy Spirit
