Author: Beth JessupWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. I have been thinking for some time about mentors in the ministry. As I thought about my life, I have hoped that I have been a help to some young ladies along the way. I have been thankful for those who have asked for advice and hoped they have used the advice they were given. After many years of experience in ministry as a pastor’s wife and counselor, I am humbled when I have an opportunity to help a younger pastor’s wife. I feel that so many pastor’s wives do not take the opportunity to help a younger woman get through some situations that would help her grow in the ministry.
Titus 2:3-5 says, “That the aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” God instructs us as “aged women” to be a help to the “younger women.” God established these words to be heeded. As seasoned pastor’s wives, we need to learn to take the young ladies, mothers and young pastor’s wives under our wings and try to be a help to them. I know I was privileged, years ago when we first arrived on the mission field, that a seasoned pastor’s wife was willing to take me “under her wing” to help me learn how to follow God in obedience to the scripture. Many young ladies will not ask for help but we are certainly expected by God to help them whenever the opportunity comes our way. It would be great if we would be looking for opportunities of service to God in this area. Mentoring to these young ladies would certainly give them confidence in helping their husbands in ministry. Our daily experiences and what we have learned from the Word of God can be such a help to the younger pastor’s wives. Not only the younger pastor’s wives, but the Bible says, “the younger women.” This would certainly help the young couples in our churches to grow together in building strong homes as a testimony for the Lord. Our lives should show a conduct of holy living to be the example to younger women who are believers. This example should be through wives of the “aged women” of deacons or leaders in the church. We are admonished to be careful with our tongues, not to be false in our conversation concerning fellow believers or even concerning unbelievers. Everything we say and do should come from holy living. The phrase “Not given to much wine” refers to the same as Titus1:7, “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine…” Oliver B. Greene says, “There is no excuse for any spiritually minded person being confused over total abstinence from alcoholic beverages.” All of our lives should be blameless as we strive to live holy and honoring lives for God. The young women are to be “sober” or wise. The main thought throughout these verses is to live a holy life before these “younger women,” teaching them to “love their husbands.” When women are taking care of their husbands and their children in their homes there is not much time for other things to occupy their lives. “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” To be discreet is to be sober or using wisdom. Making the right choices as we walk in the Christian life would be a great example for the “younger women” although the world has not made it very easy for our choices to be pure and holy. Most everything is made too small and clings to your body to show the curves that were meant for your husband’s eyes only. The words that come from our mouths should be said with kindness and with a bit of thought. The word chaste means to be pure. I would like to write this quote from my friend, Francie Taylor, who wrote, Teachers of Good Things. She says, “A woman who is “chaste” has placed a high priority on living a holy life in order to bring honor and glory to the Lord. This means that she is determined to live a life of purity, one that is unpolluted and virtuous. She realizes that eventually, she will give an account of how she has lived and what she has chosen to do with her life. We are not able in and of ourselves to be holy, just as we are not able to save ourselves from sin. The Lord desires this quality to be woven into the fabric of our lives, thus the Holy Spirit enables us to become chaste. Some would find it easier to live an impure lifestyle, but just as sin can cripple or even destroy us, willful exposure to unholy living will always carry a very high price tag.” As we are encouraged to be “keepers at home,” let us think for a moment on this. This does not mean that we are not to go out of the house, but we need to make sure that things are in order in our homes when we want to be participating in things outside of our homes. My husband was one that wanted a nice and neat home. This always made me feel good when I kept things orderly in our home. Everyone was happy! The wife that is said to be “good” is a great compliment in character. Ephesians 5:22-33 explains why it is important to be “obedient to their own husbands,” as they obey the scripture. We can never go wrong when we obey and surrender to the Holy Scriptures! Let us all be challenged to look around us and see if there is someone who needs encouragement. God can use the “seasoned” Christian lady to help someone along the journey of life. Would you be that lady? I have been thinking for some time about mentors in the ministry. As I thought about my life, I have hoped that I have been a help to some young ladies along the way. I have been thankful for those who have asked for advice and hoped they have used the advice they were given. After many years of experience in ministry as a pastor’s wife and counselor, I am humbled when I have an opportunity to help a younger pastor’s wife. I feel that so many pastor’s wives do not take the opportunity to help a younger woman get through some situations that would help her grow in the ministry. Titus 2:3-5 says, “That the aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” God instructs us as “aged women” to be a help to the “younger women.” God established these words to be heeded. As seasoned pastor’s wives, we need to learn to take the young ladies, mothers and young pastor’s wives under our wings and try to be a help to them. I know I was privileged, years ago when we first arrived on the mission field, that a seasoned pastor’s wife was willing to take me “under her wing” to help me learn how to follow God in obedience to the scripture. Many young ladies will not ask for help but we are certainly expected by God to help them whenever the opportunity comes our way. It would be great if we would be looking for opportunities of service to God in this area. Mentoring to these young ladies would certainly give them confidence in helping their husbands in ministry. Our daily experiences and what we have learned from the Word of God can be such a help to the younger pastor’s wives. Not only the younger pastor’s wives, but the Bible says the”younger women.” This would certainly help the young couples in our churches to grow together in building strong homes as a testimony for the Lord. Our lives should show a conduct of holy living to be the example to younger women who are believers. This example should be through wives of the “aged women” of deacons or leaders in the church. We are admonished to be careful with our tongues, not to be false in our conversation concerning fellow believers or even concerning unbelievers. Everything we say and do should come from holy living. The phrase “Not given to much wine” refers to the same as Titus1:7, “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine…” Oliver B. Greene says, “There is no excuse for any spiritually minded person being confused over total abstinence from alcoholic beverages.” All of our lives should be blameless as we strive to live holy and honoring lives for God. The young women are to be “sober” or wise. The main thought throughout these verses is to live a holy life before these “younger women,” teaching them to “love their husbands.” When women are taking care of their husbands and their children in their homes there is not much time for other things to occupy their lives. “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” To be discreet is to be sober or using wisdom. Making the right choices as we walk in the Christian life would be a great example for the “younger women” although the world has not made it very easy for our choices to be pure and holy. Most everything is made too small and clings to your body to show the curves that were meant for your husband’s eyes only. The words that come from our mouths should be said with kindness and with a bit of thought. The word chaste means to be pure. I would like to write this quote from my friend, Francie Taylor, who wrote, Teachers of Good Things. She says, “A woman who is “chaste” has placed a high priority on living a holy life in order to bring honor and glory to the Lord. This means that she is determined to live a life of purity, one that is unpolluted and virtuous. She realizes that eventually she will give an account for how she has lived and what she has chosen to do with her life. We are not able in and of ourselves to be holy, just as we are not able to save ourselves from sin. The Lord desires this quality to be woven into the fabric of our lives, thus the Holy Spirit enables us to become chaste. Some would find it easier to live an impure lifestyle, but just as sin can cripple or even destroy us, willful exposure to unholy living will alway carry a very high price tag.” As we are encouraged to be “keepers at home,” let us think for a moment on this. This does not mean that we are not to go out of the house, but we need to make sure that things are in order in our homes when we want to be participating in things outside of our homes. My husband was one that wanted a nice and neat home. This always made me feel good when I kept things orderly in our home. Everyone was happy! The wife that is said to be “good” is a great compliment in character. Ephesians 5:22-33 explains why it is important to be “obedient to their own husbands,” as they obey the scripture. We can never go wrong when we obey and surrender to the Holy Scriptures! Let us all be challenged to look around us and see if there is someone who needs encouragement. God can use the “seasoned” Christian lady to help someone along the journey of life. Would you be that lady?
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BETH JESSUPFounder’s wife of Baptist Church Planting Ministry ArchivesCategories |