Tag: older men
Passing on sound doctrine!
Scripture reading for October 9th: Titus 2, Psalm 52, Proverbs 17
Key Scriptures: Titus 2:1-5 “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 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.”
Sound doctrine and sound living are always linked together in Scripture. We who teach God’s Word must model the sound doctrine and do so steadfastly and faithfully. Older men are to teach younger men and older women are to teach younger women how to apply the Word of God in every area of life from marriage to workplace and raising of children. God’s Word is to be exalted by faithful practice of basic respect, kindness, and love.
Faith Confession: I teach and live out the sound doctrine of Holy Scripture and as an older man seek to train my children and grandchildren and younger men how to apply Scripture to life. I encourage older women to do the same with their children and younger women that God’s Word may be glorified.
Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
Teach sound doctrine!
Scripture reading for October 9th: Titus 2
Paul gave detailed instructions to Titus concerning his need to teach sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is not just a set of rules or laws on how to live, but it it a decision to obey the Word of God and imitate Jesus Christ, our great Teacher.
“Teach older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 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.” (Titus 2:2-5) Sound doctrine included practical teaching on how to live productively for the Kingdom of God in the social contexts of the day and time. Older men and women were the role-models for the younger. Self-control is mentioned for both men and women. Bringing our bodies under control of our will by the power of the Holy Spirit is sound doctrine! We must not live out of our feeling or passions.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, . . .” (Titus 2:7) Our example is strong teaching of sound doctrine. If our lives as Christians don’t reflect Jesus Christ, we have failed. It is by God’s grace that we can live out His Word. This grace teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright and lives while we wait for Jesus’ promised return! (Titus 2:11-14)
Don’t show favoritism!
Scripture reading for September 30th: 1st Timothy 5
Pastors must be able to deal with all ages of people and levels of maturity. Paul instructed his young understudy in the proper conduct of an overseer. “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1st Timothy 5:1-2) Respect and relationship are key elements to proper conduct. The relationships in a family were a great example of how to conduct yourself in God’s family. Absolute purity must be practiced, especially towards the younger women! Satan’s temptations have brought down many pastors who were not purposeful in purity!
“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (1st Timothy 5:3) Paul wrote more extensively about caring for widows. God’s heart is for the hurting and disadvantaged. Widows have a priority in the church and family. Family members should care for widows, where possible. A widow could come under the church’s provision if “she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” (1st Timothy 5:9-10)
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1st Timothy 5:17) Proper respect must be given to church leaders. This included financial rewards as well as protecting from false accusations!
“I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.” (1st Timothy 5:21) God is watching!
Pastoring the flock!
Scripture reading for October 20th: 1st Timothy 5:1-25
Pastoral ministry involves working with people. A young pastor has to be taught how to properly work with all the different age groups in the church as well as the maturity levels of the believers. When a preacher is young, older people have a tendency to look down on them. Proper manners were needed for order and godliness.
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1st Timothy 5:1-2) A rebuke is a correction of behavior given verbally. Paul taught Timothy to treat the older men as if they were his father. He still was required to correct them, but the manner was important to unity. Younger men were to be treated as brothers, and this respect would bring about cooperative behavior. The same applied to the women with older ones being treated like a mother and younger like sisters. There must be absolute sexual purity, however. Paul understood the temptations that would come naturally to a young man and young women interacting together! This is needed today as well!
Widows were also to be cared for properly. The church has a responsibility to help these women, especially if they have been godly women and are left alone through the death of a husband. Family members were to be taught to take care of their widows in their own immediate family if possible. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1st Timothy 5:8, 16) Widows over sixty who had been faithful to their husbands and known for good deeds were to be cared for.
Elders who directed the affairs of the church were also to be financially compensated. Paul taught Timothy that he could expect to be compensated for preaching and teaching God’s word. (1st Timothy 5:17-18) But elders must also be held accountable for their actions. If they needed to be corrected, accusations must be brought by two or three witnesses. If true, the elder was to be rebuked publicly so all would be warned. (1st Timothy 5:19-20) Good pastors would keep these instructions without partiality! What a privilege to lead God’s people!