Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

2  That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in
patience;  3  the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers,
not given to much wine, teachers of good things. Titus 2:2-3

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Admonition for older men
a) Concerning their lifestyle
b) This is similar to what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3
i) Bishops/ Elders
ii) Deacons/ Deaconesses
c) But in this text, it is not a reference to ministry but to the Christian lifestyle
d) These are qualities that we must encourage seniors to practise

2. Admonition for older men
a) The key word is “likewise”
b) The older women must also focus on their lifestyle as much as the menfolk

3. A closer look at these qualities
a) Sober and not given to much wine
b) Reverent in behaviour… same emphasis
c) Temperate… not slanderers
d) Sound in faith, love and patience … teachers of good things
These qualities may be stated slightly differently, but they are in close harmony!

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Why was there such an emphasis?
a) Faith and life
i) They are not meant to be separated
ii) Faith must affect the way we live
iii) We cannot speak of having faith and having a poor life
b) Older age
i) The time of learning is when we are young
ii) The practice of our faith should be even more evident when we are older
c) An example to the younger generation
i) The power of a good example is incalculable
ii) The young need to know faith can last a lifetime
iii) They need good role models to follow

2. The challenge as older pastors
a) We need to impact the lives of younger pastors
b) This must not be overlooked
c) The challenge is to teach by example

3. The younger pastors
a) We must learn humbly
b) We must aspire to live by faith
c) In time to come, the young would become the seniors

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan