There is much written and taught about the Titus 2 woman, admonished to love their husbands and children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home. But not much is said about the Titus 2 man. That is interesting since Paul devotes more space to advising Titus how to teach men.
Paul’s short letter to Titus appoints him to set order to the churches in Crete, the barbaric island of the Mediterranean Sea, and to bring Christian civility to the men and women attending those churches.
Speak sound doctrine, Paul writes, so that older men are “sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience” (2:2). These refer to self control which leads to stability and maturity. Necessary for living a godly example before others.
Encourage younger men, Paul instructs, to be serious about life. To be self-disciplined and prudent in all their activities. To be discreet and use sound judgement and moderation.
How is Titus to lead? By example. By allowing his manner of life to be pattern and model for others for good deeds and high regard for truth, purity of motive, dignity, and seriousness. These are qualities of godliness and maturity that help us follow Jesus faithfully.
I am convinced that men today are confused about spirituality because the church is too academic. For every need we organize a class and beg people to attend. We lecture, we have wordy discussions, and we “ share.” We want to do everything like a school, or an efficient assembly line. That’s not how Jesus did it.
Jesus called together twelve men, and let them follow him around as he did amazing things that touched lives. Sure, he taught them lessons, but the lessons always went with the things he was doing. They were transformed in character simply by following around the most amazing and godly man they had ever met. It works the same way now. It is messy, it is unpredictable, it is time consuming. But it works.
Titus went into Crete to impact the men there by living godliness before them, a testimony that would be beyond reproach. The Titus 2 man is a man who disciplines his masculine strength away from self-indulgence to a life of Christ-like maturity.
Paul’s short letter to Titus appoints him to set order to the churches in Crete, the barbaric island of the Mediterranean Sea, and to bring Christian civility to the men and women attending those churches.
Speak sound doctrine, Paul writes, so that older men are “sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience” (2:2). These refer to self control which leads to stability and maturity. Necessary for living a godly example before others.
Encourage younger men, Paul instructs, to be serious about life. To be self-disciplined and prudent in all their activities. To be discreet and use sound judgement and moderation.
How is Titus to lead? By example. By allowing his manner of life to be pattern and model for others for good deeds and high regard for truth, purity of motive, dignity, and seriousness. These are qualities of godliness and maturity that help us follow Jesus faithfully.
I am convinced that men today are confused about spirituality because the church is too academic. For every need we organize a class and beg people to attend. We lecture, we have wordy discussions, and we “ share.” We want to do everything like a school, or an efficient assembly line. That’s not how Jesus did it.
Jesus called together twelve men, and let them follow him around as he did amazing things that touched lives. Sure, he taught them lessons, but the lessons always went with the things he was doing. They were transformed in character simply by following around the most amazing and godly man they had ever met. It works the same way now. It is messy, it is unpredictable, it is time consuming. But it works.
Titus went into Crete to impact the men there by living godliness before them, a testimony that would be beyond reproach. The Titus 2 man is a man who disciplines his masculine strength away from self-indulgence to a life of Christ-like maturity.
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