Melissa invited me to write the blog this week as I have been a mentor to many women. It has taken more than a week to write, but I hope this blog will inspire you to dig deeper into God's Word, pray for God's will for you as godly older women, and act on his call.
It is tempting for me to jump into my story (I will share that in a future post); however, the best place to start to understand why godly older women should mentor/disciple younger women is in Scripture. Scripture should always be our first source. Let's look at Titus.
Paul writes this pastoral letter to Titus. In it, he addresses church government and discipline within the church. Its purpose is to instruct, advise, and direct Titus in his pastoral role. Unlike other letters from Paul, which address the church body, this letter addresses Titus and intends to safeguard the church's wellbeing.
As I study Titus 2, I notice that the message is one of faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus and how to uphold the integrity of the Gospel by teaching sound doctrine. Titus 2:1-8 calls out the roles of training men and women specifically. Concerning the older women:
Titus 2:3-5 "3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."
We know that men and women are different and that our gender is relevant to receiving truth in our lives. God's truth is the same regardless of gender. But Paul is wise in firmly placing the teaching of younger women on the older women. The unique experiences of women, such as being a daughter, having a menstrual cycle, being a wife, birthing a baby, or going through menopause, set us up to share life and the Gospel more intimately.
As described in Titus 2:3-5, as older women, we are to handle the Gospel with reverence and integrity and live in such a way to preserve that integrity. Our integrity as older women convinces younger women of the integrity of the Gospel. Our behavior puts the reputation of God's Word at stake.
The Gospel is real and life-changing truth that has the power to transform the way we live. The godly behavior of older women encourages and demonstrates to younger women how to live godly lives. We are to disciple women to help them develop spiritual disciplines, such as spending time in God's Word every day, that will last a lifetime and lead them to be disciples.
The Gospel is real and life-changing truth that has the power to transform the way we live. The godly behavior of older women encourages and demonstrates to younger women how to live godly lives.
John 8:31-32 31"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
When an older woman comes alongside a younger woman as her mentor, she opens up her life and experiences. She teaches how God has transformed and continues to transform her life. Her vulnerability and examples of how she lives her life help the younger woman hold fast to her faith through all seasons of life. The impact of the Gospel is evident when we share our lives. The ultimate goal of these relationships is to be and make disciples passionate about God's truth and bring glory to God's Holy Name.
Next time we’ll talk more about what it means to teach what is good.
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