Mentoring Mothers
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Mentoring Mothers
Mentoring Mothers
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Introduction:
The title of the message this morning expresses two ideas in our text: Mothers who mentor and mothers who are being mentored. Motherhood has changed over the years. At one time, the majority of mother’s were stay at home moms while dad went off to work. In our day, the majority of married couples work either out of necessity to live or in order to maintain their desired lifestyle. Culture change has had a great impact upon motherhood. From the education of our children to the dynamics of the functions of the home. The most important thing, however, to remember is that no matter what changes may occur, it is of great necessity that mothers follow the biblical precepts that God may be honored in all things. Paul instructed Titus in the beginning of this chapter to address the needed mentoring from the older, including the men, to the younger. Titus was to instruct the men and women concerning things “which become (fitting) sound (healthy) doctrine (Teaching).”
God’s design for the more experienced men and women were to mentor the younger. Mentoring by definition is the process of guiding others by imparting wisdom through teaching and example while being an accountability partner. I don’t know how many times I have uttered or others have stated, “I wish someone came alongside me and taught me, showed me, or helped me in things pertaining to life.” The book of Titus thrusts the idea of mentoring as a responsibility of men and women in the church. So as it is mother’s day, I will primarily will be addressing women mentors but there are some principles for everyone to walk away with this morning. I want you to ask yourself this question this morning, are you actively engaged in the mentoring of another person? Or are you willing to be mentored by someone older and experienced?
The Character of the Woman Mentor
Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden, former coach of the UCLA Bruins basketball team, quoted in Sanctity of Life, C. Swindoll, Word, 1990, p. 91.
John Wooden, former coach of the UCLA Bruins basketball team, quoted in Sanctity of Life, C. Swindoll, Word, 1990, p. 91.
She is to be reverent
This word reverent is used of things which have been consecrated, set apart, or made holy.
The woman’s life is to be one worthy of reverence
Reverent in their behavior or their behavior is befitting to godliness
The word behavior describes the demeanor which she behaves towards others.
Do not put on a show, you will be found out. True reverence is an inner quality which manifests itself outwardly.
She is to be void of slander
False accuser is from the word which describes Satan
It is from the Greek word where we get our English word diabolical
It expresses the idea of bringing charges with hostile intent either falsely or slanderously
The women on Crete may have had much idle time on their hands and spread false lies slandering others.
But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
She is to avoid drunkeness
The expression to be given to much wine describes someone who is enslaved to alchohol
It is dominating her life
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The Activities of a Woman Mentor
She is to be a teacher of good things
A mentoring woman is to instruct in things which are of quality by nature
Biblical teaching
Guiding and pointing to other woman toward Jesus and not away.
A woman who instructs others things which are contrary to the word of God and draws you away from Christ is not your friend.
She may impart wisdom to the younger women
The word “Teach” in Greek implies bringing someone to their senses
Younger women (men included) are filled with all sorts of emotions, inexperience, and simply trying to figure their place in this world. They need someone who can impart wisdom to bring them to their senses.
Primarily, in Titus as it involves their responsibilities as a wife, a mother and home life in general.
The Instruction of a Woman Mentor
She is to instruct them to love their husband and children
This may seem like an odd teaching. Love for a husband and children should come natural to a woman.
However, on Crete woman were engaged in immoral activities outside their responsibilities to their husband and children.
Many tombs inscriptions in the ancient world convey that these were characteristics as a woman’s crowning virtue.
Marriage arrangement was somewhat different in the Greek-Roman world. It was not always for love that two were married.
The word love in our text is not the agape form of love but rather a love which expresses a strong affection for another and as one commentator wrote “It emphasizes the strength of companionship, of pulling together toward a goal, of devotion measured by kindness and mutual friendship. This forms the basis of a secure and solid marriage and home.”
She is to instruct them is self-control
Discreet- wisely keeping self-control over one’s passions and desires
All young people need to acquire self-control.
The ability to say no to yourself.
She is to instruct them in moral purity
She is to instruct them in homemaking
Keepers at home, as one suggested, is not to make her home a prison in where she must be kept
The idea is to guide the house.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
She manages the affairs of the household.
This is her ministry of sorts.
She is to instruct them in being good
Kindness
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She is to teach them submissiveness to their own husbands
Submissiveness is not oppression
Submissiveness is arranging yourself under the authority of another.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
God has a divine order of the spiritual leadership of the home.
Husbands are ultimately responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the home.
The Purpose of a Mentoring Woman
The purpose of mentoring women is to prevent the Word of God to be slandered.
How many times do we see the word of God attacked because of the ungodly behavior of women?
Mentoring has a goal that the younger woman would be a lighthouse to others.
To bring people in and not be a cause for them to turn away from Christ.
This process then is not about the older women’s preferences or desires but having the ladies conform to the image of Christ for the purpose of God receiving all the honor and all the glory.
Conclusion:
Fame is a vapor,
Popularity an accident.
Riches take wings.
Only one thing endures,
Character.
Horace Greely.