ExcelHer In Training Younger Women

My mom always told me that little eyes were watching me. My bible class teachers also told me, as I was growing up, that little eyes were watching me. “Be a good example,” they said. Without giving it much thought, I didn’t take that advice to heart. Little did I know then how vitally important those words were and how much influence I had on others. I wasn’t always the person that little eyes needed to watch. I wish I had listened and fully understood the role I played and the influence I had in the lives of others, especially younger females.

In Titus 2 we see the characteristics we must take on to be the appropriate kind of example in this world, to our peers, and especially to the younger. Paul writes not just to men but also to women and breaks it down for each of us. I find it interesting that when he refers to teaching, most of what he mentions isn’t what we are verbally instructing but how we live our lives.

How we conduct ourselves in our speech and our daily actions speak louder than anything that we say.

Paul wrote,

“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”…Titus 2:1-8 ESV

We see that, as women, our role is just as important as the men when it comes to teaching younger souls.

Paul goes on here in Titus 2 to tell us why it is so important for us to teach the younger men and women these godly characteristics;

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”…Titus 2:11-14

Paul, of all people, knows that with age comes wisdom. Paul also knows, from many of his own experiences, that the temptations of this world could easily rob someone with limited wisdom of the hope they have within them, the beautiful gift of salvation. So there is a very important role to be played here: MENTOR!

I know so much more today about the wiles of the devil that I only wish I had known as a child and even as a young adult. As I was growing up, there were not many people of spiritual influence who were willing to be transparent about the temptations that the world would throw my way. Discussions about the reality of sin were uncomfortable and mostly avoided in the “Thou Shalt Not” era.

Through spiritual failures of my own, I have come to understand the importance of helping the younger generations by being honest, transparent, a listening ear, and a guiding hand through the waters of life so that they don’t end up spiritually shipwrecked.

These young girls today face sexual pressure, insecurities, the alternative lifestyle agenda, drinking, drugs, and the list goes on. Yes, it was present in my upbringing, but not as common and definitely not promoted by the world as acceptable.

Times have changed drastically in just a short period of time, and if these young women don’t have a strong spiritual mentor/leader to help them through, they will fade into the world and be another lost soul.

Even as far back as Isaiah, we see people distorting the truth of what God called good and evil.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”…Isaiah 5:20 ESV

The changes in this world have made calling evil good and good evil commonplace and we must educate the younger so they do not fall prey to the deception. Many today, even in the Lord’s church, are living adrift with no clear sense of purpose. They are trying to be fulfilled with worldly things such as sex, drugs, etc. All we have to do is look around to see that there is a desperate need for godly women to lead these girls in the right direction.

As women of God, we have been given the marvelous task of fulfilling the commandment to teach younger women. Society has distorted God and His truth and we must help them see clearly. We need to set eternity in their hearts. This world we live in cannot fill the empty hole in their hearts that only God can fill.

Our younger generations are in need of the same thing we, as adults, need… a connection to Christ.

It’s an amazing journey when you take the hand of someone younger and show them their value, their beauty and their talents. What a blessing to help them see themselves through the eyes of Christ!

I now strive to be the woman that little eyes can watch because I understand how needed we are, as older women, to spiritually guide with love, patience, truth, and honesty.

I want to encourage you to accept this Godly task to teach the younger women. Strive to be an example in word and in deed, so that they are encouraged by you to hold fast to their confession.

What a beautiful responsibility God has given us to train up the younger women. Let us love and guide these precious souls and show them what an amazing life it can be when you walk hand in hand with God, filled with the blessed hope that we have as we await His appearance!