Seriously Paul?
In the days of gender-neutral bathrooms, same-sex marriage, and increased hostility toward anything Christian, surely the Titus 2 instructions for women were not meant for times such as these?
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 (Titus 2:3-5).
Yes, for times such as these.
Older women, train the younger women. Why? So they can adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10). We are to teach them to wear the gospel well. What a high calling!
"Adorn" means to add beauty to. Paul speaks of the heart, not outward beauty, as conduct flows from the heart. We also learn from Paul that we are a sweet "aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Cor. 2:15, emphasis added). Our behavior is to be about pleasing God-not the culture.
Leaders, our young women are surrounded by messages which are counter to God's truth. Many young women desire to wear the gospel well. But they need our help. Would you like to develop a Titus 2 culture as a way of life in your women's ministry? Just as our personal conduct flows from our heart, our ministry conduct will flow from our ministry heart in regard to Titus 2.
Here are some practical tips to assist you:
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Examine your own heart: are you wearing the gospel well?
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Attain your pastor's support as you seek to develop a Titus 2 discipleship culture, which will strengthen the whole church.
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Make this a prayer focus with your leaders.
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Pray openly with your women regarding current events that affect biblical womanhood.
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Leaders are readers. Read all that you can about biblical womanhood.
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Plan ministry with Titus 2:3-5 in mind. Are you planning strategically to help women adorn the gospel? For example, are you offering Bible studies on biblical marriage and parenting, self-control, biblical womanhood, Titus 2, etc.?
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Incorporate Titus 2 principles into your leadership training, equipping them to respond biblically to crisis situations; i.e., death, addictions, marital stress, prodigal children.
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Strategically assign Bible study groups. When possible, place older women as leaders over younger women.
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Encourage leaders to seek mentoring opportunities beyond small group interactions.
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Provide fellowship events where organic mentoring relationships are likely to form, rather than organized ones that may not last.
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Beyond Bible studies, provide "cultural engagement" forums for all women, teaching them how to respond biblically to social issues confronting them; i.e., single living, religious liberties, a biblical approach to homosexuality and gay marriage.
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Consider offering workshops teaching younger women things like freezer cooking, studying the Bible, organization strategies, dating right, developing a meaningful devotional life, healthy eating, etc.
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Most importantly, pray.
For all times and seasons, let's wear the gospel well! All for the glory of Christ.