Editor’s note: the content below is taken from a document titled Titus 2 Discipleship. You may download and read the whole document by clicking here.
Foundational Principles for a Titus 2 Small Group Ministry
Titus 2:3-5 is not simply a suggestion to match older women and younger women. This gospel imperative is one part of covenant life. It is a part of the strategy for a local church to disciple God’s people.
The Titus mandate was given to the pastor of the church. Paul instructed Titus to equip older women in the congregation for the ministry of training younger women. This discipleship is to take place within the context of sound doctrine and under ecclesiastical authority. The commitment, oversight and protection of church leadership are biblical and essential.
“Older” women is not just a reference to age. It also involves spiritual maturity. This is a spiritual mothering-a nurturing-ministry. It is gender-specific, life-on-life discipleship where women encourage and equip women to live for God’s glory as a woman.
In the Great Commission Jesus told us to make disciples. Titus 2 is a chapter on discipleship. At the end of the chapter Paul tells us why and how we can make such a radical investment in the lives of others.
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. (vv. 11-14)
- Jesus came, and He is coming back. This is the gospel. The gospel is the motivation for a commitment to disciple others.
- Jesus gave Himself to redeem us and He is purifying us. The gospel is the power that enables us to disciple other women and the gospel is the power that will transform them into His likeness.