Discipleship Part 2

We often look at discipleship as a pathway to a particular point in our lives when we obtain spiritual maturity. Worse, we neglect it all together and forge ahead alone. We see the example Jesus set concerning what discipleship should look like. It is a life-long process of learning from both God's Word and each other. Discipleship is embracing the spiritual transformation that comes through the fellowship and partnership with His people.

Titus 2:1-10- 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2:2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 2:4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 2:6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 2:7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 2:8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 2:9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

Note: The most lasting impact that one has on the next generation of believers and the world around them is based on how, and with whom, an individual’s time was spent. Not only is God’s design for discipleship essential to the flourishing of the family, but it is also equally important for the flourishing of the church. Spiritually mature men and women deeply committed to life-on-life with new and young believers helps transform generations to the glory of God. These will be generations that will live well because they know well, and they know well because they have been taught well. An important question for each of us today is this, who is discipling you? Whose life are you able to observe and see that their lives are pointing you to the very person of Christ and not their own works and striving?

Deep commitment within a Gospel Community cultivates correct living in Christ. Our lives are not changed because we changed our behaviors, but rather God has changed our hearts, by His Spirit in light of the scriptures, and because God has changed our hearts, it is by His grace that we are to live a life worthy and reflective of the life that paid it all. It is in understanding the truth of what sound teaching in scripture sounds like and looks like lived out, that Paul opens up Chapter 2 by saying:

Titus 2:1- But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. We see right out the gate the text begins with the word “but”. Paul uses verse one of Chapter 2 to contrast with the previous verse. Check it out in Titus 1:16, Paul says:

Titus 1:16- They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Note: The text reveals that we can know God on an intellectual level, but yet not be impacted by His word and therefore not live a transformed life. True transformation comes through being effectual doers of the word you know, trust, and believe. 

 James 1:22-24- 1:22- But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.1:23- For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;1:24- for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

As we move to verses 2 to 10, Paul will explain from a practical perspective, what sound doctrine looks like in action within the body of Christ.

Here is how Paul will break down the ways in which these particular groups in the body of Christ are to live as redeemed men and women of God.

Older Men- Titus 2:2- Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Titus is told to teach these groups sound doctrine. Notice he is not teaching them behavior; Titus is to teach them the word.

Older Women- Titus 2:3- Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, Titus 2:4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Clearly, Paul’s expectation on the women in the church requires the same maturity level as that of the older men. Paul uses the word “likewise” here in the text. This word regarding the behavior of the older woman is not to be divorced from the same weight of maturity as that of the older man. Spiritual maturity does not have an age attached to it as if to say you need to be “this age” to be considered spiritually mature. This maturity comes through application and living out the word of God by submitting to the Lord.

Younger Women- Titus 2:3b-4- teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children. Paul does something very interesting here in the text regarding the teaching to younger women. He moves the discussion from public edification from the pulpit to private edification/training by means of discipleship. The responsibility of teaching the younger women is to be accomplished by the older women. There is an old African Proverb that says: “The youth can walk faster, but the elder knows the road.” Young people have the tendency to assume that we know everything, and when it comes down to discipleship it requires that we be teachable.

Younger Men- Titus 2:6- Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; We see the word “likewise” show up again in the text. Surely, Paul is not stating that the younger men are to simply be sensible. Remember this word, likewise, is connecting to the attributes that were included for that of the older man in verse 2. That is the younger men too, are to be: temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

 Slaves- Titus 2:9- Urge bond slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, Titus 2:10- not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. Slavery within the 1st century was based upon several things, here are just 2 reasons: 1) You were either captured by a conquering nation from war, or 2) You owed a debt to someone and wanted to pay it off. Understand that this passage in no way is approving of slavery; then, however it was a way of life. Paul, within the confines of what the laws and rules were during this time, wanted to urge the slave, too, to live well. Paul tells the slaves to be subject to their own masters, not in just some things, but in everything. He then mentions how they are to go about accomplishing that: 1) Be well-pleasing – satisfying the needs of your master.

What we will see regarding these varying age groups is, the Gospel has no respect of persons. The Gospel demands a life response regardless of age or social status.

Moment of Truth

Discipleship is the process of a believer’s transformation to Christlikeness that takes place intentionally and relationally in the context of Gospel community.