Touch a Life; Influence Generations
Thursday, November 9
Titus 2:3-5 (ESV)
“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.”
Devotion
In the book of Titus, Paul addresses the qualities and duties of church elders and gives specifics of the role of the older generation of men and women. In today’s featured verses, Paul does not begin by telling the older women what to teach the younger generation, rather he begins with how the older women should live and conduct themselves, so that they may teach the younger ones. He also addresses men in the same respect in Titus 2:2 and verses 6-8.
Imagine the well-known church gossip teaching a younger woman to be reverent in her behavior, or someone who is enslaved to alcohol teaching another to have self-control. Paul knew those scenarios would not produce the fruit of holiness. He was saying to us in Titus 2, that we must practice what we preach. We must first teach with our actions, so that we may guide with our words.
Many in the older generation grew up learning from the godly example of our parents and grandparents, but there is a younger generation who have not been taught how to carry out their roles as Christian spouses and parents. Attending church is the first step, but they need those within the church to help them with these roles, both showing and teaching them the way.
Reach out and touch a life today. When you do, you are guiding a family toward the Kingdom of God, which will influence generations.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for molding me into Your likeness. Help me to be more mindful of my actions so that others may always see You through me. Lord, I ask that You give me discernment, in order that I may know those whom I should mentor. Lead me to them and help me to provide the guidance they need, so that they too, may lead their families to You, affecting generations. In the name of Jesus, I pray., Amen.
Apply It Today
As you were reading today’s devotion, did a young person or couple in your church come to mind? Reach out today and befriend them. Invite them to have a meal with you at their convenience. Be a friend, a listening ear, and become a mentor to him or her, filling them with wisdom as the Holy Spirit guides.
If you are a young person or a couple who desires to have the opportunity to be guided by a godly mentor, speak to your church leaders about connecting you with someone who has faithfully walked the road you’re on to help guide you in your journey.
Resources