February 03, 2010
Always a Student
I’m on a committee that is made up of predominantly senior citizens and the old adage about ‘teaching an old dog… ’ occasionally comes to mind. Often older folks believe they already know everything they need to know and what they don’t know…well, it just really isn’t worth learning. The Apostle Paul left young Titus in Crete with instructions not only to teach church leaders the gospel, but to “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self–controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance…teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live…” (Titus 2:2-3 NIV). Though I feel confident that I could teach the Word to the seniors in my committee, I can’t imagine trying to teach them temperance or self-control.
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Gail;
-----We must note Paul was instructing an elder of that church on Crete. I think I am safe in presuming Titus was not selected by Paul as an elder because he was a good business man or some professional in the community. This same Paul also laid out for Titus and Timothy the characteristics of eldership material: being the husband of one wife, above reproach, holy, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, humble, a good teacher, sober, gentle, peaceful, respectful, a lover of goodness, self-controlled, well thought of, not a recent convert, holding firm to the sure the Word of God, managing his household well, with well trained children, and not being a lover of money. These are character traits of a relatively complete and upright man. -----The affairs of the church are much more the good and godly behaviors and attitudes in its people than they are the building, the pews, and how to spend the offerings. Therefore those into whose hands its affairs are given must be themselves good and godly, having attained “...mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph 4:13) Then Peter can instruct the elders to lead by example, and the writer of Hebrews can instruct the people to obey them. The leaders must be that to which they lead and know they lead for the up building of others. The rest must trust and respect the leaders for what they are. Both of these conditions must be present for not only the older folks in the church to be instructed, but for anyone to be.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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