Teaching The Young

THE OLDER WOMEN CAN TRAIN THE YOUNGER WOMEN TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2.3,4.

I was discussing the other day the role of the older generation in the life of the younger ones and I was surprised at what I heard from a mature, well-educated, Christian professional of the younger generation. He was only voicing the general opinion that prevails: “the older generation is outdated in their thinking and what they have to say is not relevant or applicable to the modern day life-style!” Some even go to the extent of saying that the teaching of the Scripture is old-fashioned and they need to ‘update’ it according to the times and culture of the changing world!

But the Scripture makes it very clear that what God taught our fathers and even forefathers directly through the Word and by experience are very relevant to the generations that follow. The Word of God gives clear command to the older generation to teach and train the younger ones the ways they have learned from God during their lifetime.

In today’s text, we have one such specific command to ‘the older women or mothers’ to train the younger women. What are they to teach and train? “To be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”. Nothing could be more ‘old-fashioned than what the Word of God expects them to be, in the light of the modern day women’s lib and the lifestyle of women today! Surely God knew that! Nevertheless, He gave this command. He does not want the older generation to be silent or even condescending. If they do, they would be sowing the seed of self-destruction of the new generations. God forbid they do that!

Our eternal God expects the older generation of men and women who have tasted the goodness of the Lord and seen His severity, to fearlessly continue teaching and training the younger ones in the eternal and unchanging Word of God and the standards of lifestyle it set for the believers for all times!

Dear young believer, if the counsel and instruction of your old-fashioned parents are in accordance with the irrevocable Word of God, they will never be out-dated and irrelevant. The Words says, “Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Prov 1.8,9).

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, Your Word can never be out-dated. Give me the courage to be true to its teachings and practices in the midst of the changing lifestyles of a world that is destined to perish with its Godless philosophy! Amen.