Teaching Younger Women to Be Good

“The aged women likewise…
“That they may teach the young women
to be sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children, To be discreet, chaste,
keepers at home, good,”
Titus 2:3a-5a     

Being good is difficult even for grownups. Being a good example of what is good is another strenuous task. It’s much easier to tell the younger generation to “Do as I say, not as I do.” than it is to teach by example. It’s hard to instruct younger women to be good while we struggle daily just to keep ourselves in check and on track. This may be the exact reason God gave this instruction. He didn’t want us to struggle without support and guidance or be left to figure out what is right on our own. God wants us to learn how to be good from those older than us so we can teach those younger than us.

Learning encourages us to grow and do better. Teaching allows us to influence others to do the same. We can’t teach what we don’t learn or live.

Let’s review what being “good” means.  The Greek definition for the word used in Titus 2 is;

That’s a pretty simple definition…“Good, in any sense.”  The Bible is our main source and standard for learning what is good.

Another source is learning from those who are living according to God’s Word. We’re not expected to fit-in or follow ungodly examples or teach others to live according to our standards, expectations or preferences.

Notice what is taught in the book of Romans. We’re shown that good is the opposite of evil and given clear instructions about both.

“Let love be without dissimulation.
Abhor that which is evil;
cleave to that which is good.”
Romans 12:9

Verses 10-20 go on to list things that are good to do:

• Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
  in honour preferring one another
• Not slothful in business
• Fervent in spirit; serving the Lord
• Rejoicing in hope
• Patient in tribulation
• Continuing instant in prayer
• Distributing to the necessity of saints
• Given to hospitality
• Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not
• Rejoice with them that do rejoice
• Weep with them that weep
• Be of the same mind one toward another
• Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate
• Be not wise in your own conceits
• Recompense to no man evil for evil.
• Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
• If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men
• Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath
• If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21

These are good behaviors that overcome evil.

Many wonderful women have shown me how to be good and develop these traits. Some have done it discreetly, others deliberately, and a few directly. The ones who have influenced me the most are those whose actions spoke louder than their words.

Teaching younger women to be good really comes down to our willingness to be good before them. It also depends on their willingness to be taught. It works best when both are willing.

Bring It Home

Have older women in your life taught you to be good?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC