Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Titus 2:3-5
Join in the discussion on Becoming Titus 2 in 2010 over at Extravagant Grace. This week the topic is “Beliefs about Titus 2 in Today’s Culture.”
My Thoughts on Becoming a Titus 2 Woman
I think to become a Titus 2 woman is become a godly woman. It’s pursuing womanhood as God designed it. It’s following in the footsteps of women of grace, like Sarah, before us following after God and living our lives, serving our families for the glory of God.
I believe becoming a Titus 2 woman is a promise. There’s no “I’ve arrived” marker. It’s pressing harder and further into God’s heart and call for women to bear His image in the world as he uniquely designed for us. It’s encompasses practical aspects of life–having good sense, purity, kindness, working at home.
I think it also means being in relationships with other women at different stages of faith and life than you. I don’t think it’s possible to truly become a Titus 2 woman outside of community, that’s why Paul is telling Titus to have the older women teach the younger women. We’re all younger and older women to someone–whether it’s in our walk with the Lord or place in life. God has given us a fellowship of believers to encourage and spur us on to His call of womanhood.
Titus 2 in the Christian Community
I’m sad to say, that from my experience, most Christian communities don’t take the commands of Titus 2 seriously. They may be affirmed and encouraged from the pulpit, but broken down woman by woman it’s virtually unknown. Maybe it’s just the churches and communities I’ve been around. Hopefully.
I had a conversation with a friend recently about the lack of discussion on biblical womanhood at her church (which was also mine before we moved this summer). There’s older women and mentoring, but there always seems to be two points of contention among Christian woman: submission and working at home. Why? Because, I believe, there’s not a proper understanding of each and their importance in God’s economy.
When I would try to bring up the topic of biblical womanhood with some friends they weren’t really able to even describe it. I think one of the reasons I’m so passionate about biblical womanhood is that it’s rarely broken down and talked about in church, but it’s so important! It’s vital in becoming a honoring wife and mother, but in maintaining a healthy view of the world, our self, and our relationships. It speaks so much of God’s design for how family should work and yet we pass it by because it might not sit well with everyone.
The World’s Response to Titus 2
I’m sure if the world read this passage they might just laugh at us. Some might say that a few of the traits are honorable, like loving your husband and children. But submission? Working at home? At the heart of the world’s disdain of this call to biblical womanhood is a different of purpose and passion. We live to serve the King. They don’t. Our hearts are called to different things and what’s important and valuable to us may not be to the rest of the world.
Challenges in Pursuing Titus 2
For me, the biggest challenge in pursuing Titus 2 is myself. My desires…my selfishness, my desire for time to myself, quietness, peace. I too often look to have my needs filled in the ways I think is best. If it doesn’t fit in the preformed box in my mind then something’s going wrong!
That thinking is wrong. God uses struggles, weaknesses, hiccups, crying babies, messy husbands, and mountains of other mess to transform me into His image. It’s me. That’s my biggest challenge. Too often I want the end without the uncomfortableness of refinement.
Encouragement & Support to Press On
Three places: Jesus, the Bible, and the community of other women. We’re never alone. I have been so encouraged and motivated by other women I have “met” through blogging. Its been through their experiences, struggles, and joys that I have also been fueled on in my own pursuit of becoming God’s true woman. And dear friends who hold to the same goals and principles.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts and Titus 2 in general…and don’t forget to join in at Extravagant Grace!
Tagged as:
Becoming Titus 2,
biblical womanhood,
growth,
homemaking,
Scripture
