The Multigenerational Church (Titus 2:1-8) – Churches are prone to segregate groups by ages. The biblical example is quite different by modeling multigenerational relationships.
- The best protection against false doctrine is through teaching sound doctrine.
- Right belief leads to right behavior. (Orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy.)
- God’s plan for growing biblical churches is by discipling one another through multigenerational relationships.
An older man should be (Titus 2:2):
- Sober-minded – A sober-minded man is one who can make wise decisions with complete clarity of mind.
- Dignified – A dignified man is one who has earned the respect of others.
- Self-controlled – A self-controlled man is one who is not mastered by his sinful appetites.
- Sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness – The older a man gets, the more committed he should get.
An older woman should be (Titus 2:3):
- Reverent in behavior – A woman’s actions reflect her heart.
- Not slanderers – Women must be careful that their speech does not do the Devil’s work.
- Not slaves to much wine – A woman’s greatest coping mechanism should be found in her identity in Christ.
- Teach what is good – Many girls don’t know how to be women of God because no one has ever told them what that means.
A younger woman needs training in how to (Titus 2:4-5):
- Love their husbands – Don’t allow extra expectations to cause your marriage to suffer.
- Love their children – One of the greatest ways you will love your children is by loving your spouse.
- To be self-controlled and pure – Don’t depend on others to give you the things that your husband is meant to provide.
- Working at home and kind – Seek heavenly joy in the earthly tasks.
- Submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled – Telling a husband that he is good for nothing will never make him good for something.
A younger man needs training in (Titus 2:6):
- How to be self-controlled – Additional instruction is not needed for a young man who possesses self-control.
All ages should strive for consistency in (Titus 2:7-8):
- How We Live – Discipleship is often caught more than taught.
- How We Teach – Transformational discipleship needs biblical teaching and a biblical teacher.
- How We Talk – Speak in such a way that doesn’t create extra, unnecessary targets on the Church’s back.
Application
- If you have an older example in your life that exhibits Titus 2 qualities, contact him or her and express your gratitude.
- Decide how you are going to interact with godly people who are not in your same age bracket.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.