Ways to Serve: Be Thou an Example
By Laurel Head
When you were growing up did you have a person you looked up to and wanted to be like? I’ve known a few ladies over the years that I deeply respected and wanted to be like as I got older. But do you realize that younger people are looking at you right now regardless of your age and wanting to be like you? They may not say that they respect you or want to model you, but their actions show that they are watching how you and others act and react in public situations. Each person is unique in their characteristics and demeanor, but everyone that we are around is shaped by us and we are shaped by them. I am going to use Titus 2:3 as an outline for this article to show what needs to be exemplified.. Titus 2:3 - “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”
The phrase “aged women” refers to those over 40, but it can be shown that children can look up to anyone that is older than them. I know that I’ve respected and wanted to be like a few college-aged ladies at the time and some older ladies. Regardless of age, shape your actions around being an example for those younger in the faith, nonbelievers, and even those older in the faith as it will be an encouragement for them.
How do we have a behaviour that becometh holiness? This phrase means to have a bearing or disposition that is befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God, reverent. Do we think about how our actions and attitude help God’s Kingdom? If not, we should. If we love and revere God, we should put what His Word commands before what we want. Matthew 6:23 - “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The phrase “false accuser” means prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely. Proverbs 10:18 states, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” We also should not falsely accuse anyone; that can lead to divisions, disagreements, and ultimately, it doesn’t glorify the Lord’s Church and it doesn’t set a good example for anyone.
The wine of the New Testament compared to modern wine is slightly different. Some of it was unfermented grape juice, and some of it was fermented with very little amounts of alcohol. This passage does not sanction moderate alcohol drinking. This is an article that goes further into this passage: Elders, Deacons, Timothy, and Wine. During modern times, the social event for young people on college campuses and some in the workforce is to go out, drink, and party. Does that glorify God? Will younger people be able to look at them and say, I want to be just like them when I get older? No, it’s shameful and Christians should stay as far away from drinking as they can.
Christians of any age are to be teachers of good things. One simple way for women to teach is to teach the children’s Bible classes. This is where the next generation of Christians is going to come from, so we have to make sure that we are teaching them sound doctrine. Another way for women to teach is to be an example. We can take younger women and show them how to teach a children’s Bible class, or how to lead women’s Bible studies, and we can teach them many things that will benefit them and the Lord’s Church.
In conclusion, there are many ways that Christian women of any age can be examples to the younger girls and the younger Christian women. Not participating in things that the world participates in (1 Peter 4:3-4), teaching the children about the Bible, speaking good about others, always putting God first; these are all things that others will see about us and want to replicate in their own lives. As a Christian, we are to lead others to Heaven and one of the best ways to do that is by being an example to the younger Christian ladies.