REVIEW

THE MISSION: Love God, by loving others, leading them to become fully functioning followers of Jesus Christ.

THE VISION: To establish a growing body of believers in Des Moines Iowa, who embrace and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ, to the end of making healthy, maturing, followers of Christ across generational, gender and racial lines.

the over-arching thought for last week…

Central Thought

God intends for the generations to be fitted together, each providing the others with their best qualities, promoting       cross-generational growth in the grace and knowledge of the    Lord Jesus Christ.

Interview -Life Group, led by Rick & Debbie Kroeger

Today’s focus on generational ministry comes from Paul’s letter to Titus: Titus 2:1-8.

Central Thought

God intends for the generations to experience continual conformity to the image of Christ, reaching down/out to subsequent generations, walking the pathway together in

Christ-like transformation.

Scripture Reading:  Titus 2:1-8, ESV

Context: What Makes For A Healthy Church

Titus… a disciple of The Apostle Paul, was a young pastor assigned to the Island of Crete to bring doctrinal and organizational order to the churches.

Paul instructs Titus about:

·         appointing fellow elders in all of the churches,

·         rebuking false teachings,

·         teaching sound doctrine,

·         leading the church in good works that represent The Kingdom of Christ.

Our focus is on the first 8 verses of chapter 2. Titus is tasked with instructing the generations about their personal spiritual maturity as well as their responsibility for those younger saints to grow in the faith.

Defining The Age Groups

Older is translated from presbutēs, identifying a person no younger than 50. Paul used the word to describe himself in Philemon VS9.  At the time Paul was in his 60’s.

Younger is translated from neos, identifying those of marriageable age, in that culture 14 on the young side, up to 50-60’s.

Titus’ responsibility as a spiritual shepherd is to help the “older” firmly secure their “seasoned” status and ensure they reach back to bring the “up and coming” along.

Characteristics of Spiritual Maturity

Older Men

1.        Sober-minded = clear headed, restrained, in control of self.

2.        Dignified = worthy of respect, honorable, of good character.

3.        Self-Controlled = moderate in behavior, guided by right thinking.

4.        Sound in Faith = correct-firmly rooted in one’s belief system.

                                       (specific here to Christ)

5.        Sound in Love = correct-firmly rooted in one’s affections towards others.

6.        Sound in Steadfastness = correct-firmly rooted to endure trials, troubles, remaining in faith and love.

Older Women

1.        Reverent in behavior = devout, pious in personal conduct.

2.        Not Slanderers = does not engage in gossipy talk.

3.        Not addicted to alcohol = not controlled by.

4.        Teach what is good = actively engaging younger women, teaching them the   

                                             pathway of Godly living.

Take note what Older women are to teach the younger…

·         Be self-controlled = Not given to extremes, moderate.

·         Pure= without moral defect.

·         Working at home = ensuring home affairs are in order.

·         Kind = good to others, generous.

·         Submissive to own husbands = adhering to God’s authority structure for the home, just as Christ is in submission to The Father. Philippians 2:8

Take note that although not explicitly stated, the context makes strong implication that the older men are to be investing the qualities of Christ-Like living, into the younger men as well. The linking word is “LIKEWISE”

This speaks to a methodology that you will find in healthy churches:

…not a LINIAR methodology where one “master-teacher” (pastor) impacts the generations as they live out their lives,

…but a CIRCULAR methodology where under the ministry of a “spiritual shepherd,” one generation leads by instruction and example to another and another, and another….

This is God’s Plan For The Generations.

This is the Character of a Healthy Church.

Responsibility Falls Toward The Older

Responsibility of discipleship falls to the OLDER generation, especially those who have been in the body of Christ 20, 30, 40, 50 years.   Hebrews 5:12, ESV  

Wrap Up

THE MISSION: Love God, by loving others, leading them to become fully functioning followers of Jesus Christ.

THE VISION: To establish a growing body of believers in Des Moines Iowa, who embrace and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ, to the end of making healthy, maturing, followers of Christ across generational, gender and racial lines.