Over the last several weeks, our Life Group has been taking a deep dive into the book of Titus. We have spent each week examining chunks of verses, working through the book from start to finish. It’s a study method I love, as you actively examine the text with historical and cultural context in mind, then making application of it to your life today.

Last week we examined Titus 2:1-10, and it’s a passage I have continued to reflect on and find challenging.

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. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Titus 2:1-10

While it can be easy to get caught up in the differences culturally and historically, when we dig below the surface this passage of Scripture offers valuable insights into how believers can grow in spiritual maturity. Titus 2:1-10 presents practical instructions for various groups within the church community, emphasizing the significance of godly living, mentorship, and mutual support. This passage serves as a timeless guide for Christians seeking to deepen their faith and mature in their walk with God. Let’s explore some key insights we can draw from these verses, and how they can impact our personal growth as followers of Jesus.

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

Paul begins this section of Scripture with an exhortation to teach sound doctrine. The foundation of our spiritual growth lies in embracing sound doctrine. As verse 1 suggests, believers are encouraged to speak and teach in accordance with the truth of God’s Word. Maturing in faith requires a firm understanding of biblical principles and a commitment to living by them. Regularly engaging with Scripture and being under solid, biblical teaching helps establish a sturdy spiritual foundation.

In a world that is falling deeper and deeper into progressive secularism, grounding ourselves in sound doctrine and teaching it to others has become increasingly challenging. In today’s society, the prevailing worldview often emphasizes individualism, relativism, and the rejection of absolute truths. As a believer seeking to mature in faith, there are challenges at every turn. You don’t have to look far to find the promotion of a relativistic view of truth, suggesting that all beliefs are equally valid and subjective. Your truth is your truth, and it is equally valid to mine. This mindset often leads to skepticism about the authenticity and authority of biblical principles. The prevailing cultural norms often prioritize personal desires and moral relativism over biblical ethics. Emphasizing the importance of living by biblical principles directly challenges societal norms, leading to potential conflicts between Christian values and secular values.

Add to this a growing issue of Bible illiteracy. In a secular society, more and more individuals have little to no exposure to the Bible or biblical teachings. Foundational Bible stories of Noah and the flood, or Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt are completely foreign to them. This lack of familiarity with Scripture can hinder the understanding and appreciation of its significance in spiritual growth.

Perhaps the biggest issue within the secular culture is that of pluralism and tolerance. Tolerance opens the door to pluralism and inclusivity, blurring the lines between biblical truths and other belief systems. It’s a problem that has infiltrated the lives of many who claim to be a Christian, but have allowed themselves to water down or compromise biblical teachings to be more palatable to a diverse audience.

As believers seeking to mature in faith, it is critical that we learn, understand, hold to, and teach sound biblical doctrine. Just as a strong building requires a solid foundation, our faith needs a sturdy base to withstand challenges and doubts. Sound biblical doctrine provides this unshakable foundation, ensuring that our beliefs are rooted in the truth of God’s Word rather than personal opinions or cultural trends. When you face criticism, and false teaching, you will have the discernment and wisdom from God to defend biblical faith rooted in Scripture and in pursuit of Jesus.

Pursuit of Christ-like Character

While sound doctrine is essential, it is only the beginning. Sound doctrine means nothing in the life of a follower of Jesus if our life is not transformed and reflective of it. Paul continues in this passage outlining different people groups and listing specific characteristics of each. Again, it would be easy to stop at a surface reading, maybe even get caught up with our personal views of the roles of women and men, and how some might think these passages display an “archaic” view. I would argue to do so is an immature approach, and reflective of our feelings instead of God’s perspective and truth.

What sticks out to me is Paul’s specificity to the traits he lists. Take a moment and look at them here.

Older Men

• sober-minded
• dignified
• self-controlled
• sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness

Older Women

• reverent in behavior
• not slanderers
• not slaves to much wine
• teach what is good

Young Women

• love their husbands and children
• self-controlled
• pure
• Working at home
• Kind
• Submissive to their own husbands

Young Men

• self-controlled
• a model of good works
• show integrity
• dignity
• sound speech

Bondservants

• submissive to their own masters in everything
• be well-pleasing
• not argumentative
• not pilfering
• showing all good faith

If you find yourself getting caught up in roles instead of character, that’s a sign you are missing a valuable point. Paul’s focus wasn’t on a man or woman fulfilling a particular role, but rather emulating and showing the character of Jesus throughout their life by their behavior. Paul was communicating what spiritual maturity looked like. How does an older man demonstrate spiritual maturity? How does a young woman demonstrate spiritual maturity? How does a slave or employee demonstrate spiritual maturity?

As we seek to grow in spiritual maturity, these character traits become essential benchmarks for our progress. Perfection is not the goal, progress however is. Continual growth in our walk with Jesus should be evident. Cultivating godly character involves intentional effort and surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

Capitalize on Intergenerational Relationships

Paul highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships within the church. He gives clear vision of how intergenerational relationships contribute to the growth and vitality of the church. Older men and women are called to model righteous living for the younger generations. Likewise, young men and women are encouraged to receive guidance and wisdom from their elders. The mutual support, guidance, and encouragement across different age groups fosters a community where the wisdom of the older members shapes the younger ones, and the enthusiasm of the young invigorates the older ones. Together, they create a vibrant and enduring faith community that reflects the beauty of God’s diverse family. As believers, we are called to value and nurture these relationships, recognizing that each generation has a unique role to play in God’s kingdom. In nurturing these relationships, the church creates an environment where the wisdom and experiences of the older members benefit and shape the younger ones.

Older men and women are called to be examples of godly living for the younger generation. Their wisdom, maturity, and life experiences provide valuable insights into how to navigate the challenges of life while remaining faithful to God’s Word. As they model righteous living, they inspire and encourage the younger members to follow in their footsteps. Any new parent can see the wisdom and value in this. Learning from other parents who have already raised children can be a valuable asset. Young men and women are encouraged to be receptive to the guidance and wisdom offered by their elders. In a rapidly changing world, the perspectives and life lessons shared by older believers are invaluable in making informed decisions and growing in faith. I don’t know how many poor life choices were, and how many more could have been prevented by simply listening to the wisdom and guidance of the elders in my life.

Not only are intergenerational relationships beneficial for the spiritual development of individuals, they greatly enhance the growth of the church from within. Nurturing intergenerational relationships within the church is instrumental in developing strong leaders. As young believers receive guidance and mentoring from experienced leaders, they, in turn, are better equipped to become leaders themselves in the future. Intergenerational relationships provide a natural setting for mentoring and discipleship. Seasoned leaders can take on mentoring roles, investing time, wisdom, and personal experience in the lives of younger believers. This intentional discipleship empowers young leaders to grow spiritually, develop their gifts, and discern their calling.

Young believers also benefit from observing experienced leaders in action. They witness how mature leaders handle conflicts, make decisions, and care for the church community. These real-life examples provide invaluable lessons in leadership that go beyond theoretical teachings. Experienced leaders have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and practical skills over the years. By passing down this valuable information to the next generation by teaching and observation, they equip them to navigate various challenges and responsibilities that come with leadership roles.

Effective leaders understand the importance of developing a pipeline of future leaders. Nurturing intergenerational relationships ensures a continuous cycle of leadership development, passing on the torch of leadership to the next generation as experienced leaders step back or retire. Raising up leaders within the church that are grounded in sound doctrine and exhibit Christ-like character should be a goal of every church, and it starts with relationship.

Make Following Jesus Attractive

Paul finishes this passage with an interesting instruction. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of adorning the doctrine of God in verse 10. As we grow in maturity, our lives should become living testimonies of God’s truth and grace. Our actions and attitudes should align with the teachings of Christ, drawing others to Him through our transformed lives.

Our lives serve as living testimonies of what we believe and value. As we mature in our faith, our actions, attitudes, and character should reflect the transformative power of God’s truth and grace. Our words and deeds should be consistent with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating the reality of His presence in our lives. It’s not about putting on a show; it’s about genuine transformation from the inside out. People are more likely to be drawn to Christ when they see authenticity and consistency in our lives. Our witness becomes powerful when others can observe how God’s Word shapes our choices and responses.

As believers, our ultimate purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. Adorning the doctrine of God means bringing honor and praise to Him through our everyday conduct. Our lives become a reflection of His goodness, mercy, and love, pointing others towards the source of our transformation. Your transformed life has the potential to draw others to Christ. It invites questions and conversations about your faith. Your transformed life become a compelling invitation to encounter Christ themselves, as they observe the impact of God’s Word and truth in your life. Your pursuit of Jesus will drive their curiosity and desire to know more about the faith that motivates you, and lead to meaningful conversations about faith and God’s love.

There is nothing worse than someone who calls themselves a Christian, and fails to holistically live a life in pursuit of Jesus. Jesus calls us to live with integrity. It means that our public and private lives align, and there is consistency in our character. This authenticity fosters trust among others and demonstrates the power of God’s Word to bring about genuine change. Hypocrisy within the church can be a stumbling block for non-believers. Adorning the doctrine of God requires us to be honest about our shortcomings while actively seeking God’s grace and forgiveness. Demonstrating humility in our walk with Christ helps counteract the perception of hypocrisy and reveals the transformative work of God in our lives.

Adorning the doctrine of God is not just a lofty ideal but a practical and transformative way to live out our faith. As we grow in spiritual maturity, our lives should become living testimonies of God’s truth and grace, drawing others to Christ through the authenticity of our transformed lives. By living with integrity, humility, and a commitment to glorifying God, we participate in the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in shaping us into His image and impacting the world around us for His glory. That kind of life is attractive to those trying to fill the void in their life, nothing but God can.

As I reflect on my own life, I know it hasn’t always been attractive. I know I’ve failed at times, not always prioritizing growth in my faith. I’ve ignored the wisdom and insight of those older and wiser than me because I was full of myself. I have lacked integrity, making decisions and living my life in a way that felt good in the moment. I think we have all been there, and to some degree may still find ourselves there still. Following Jesus isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about growing in our relationship with Jesus, and allowing His transformative power to reflect through us. I want to be a man who is grounded in sound doctrine, full of wisdom and integrity, drawing others to Jesus because my life reflects the radical love, grace, and power of my Savior Jesus Christ. That’s Paul’s message to Titus and us today.