Titus 2:6-8

Passage

Likewise, exhort the younger people to have sound judgment regarding all things while giving yourself as an example of good works, soundness in teaching, dignity, sound words that are above criticism, in order that the one out of opposition should be put to shame while having nothing morally base to say regarding us.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul continues to advise Titus regarding certain cultural groups.  This time, the advice is towards younger people.  {Many Bibles say men specifically, but remember that in an ancient culture any group with at least one man was linguistically a group of men.}  As with the prior groups, there are two pieces of advice here as well.  The young are to focus on having sound judgment.  This is incredibly profound.  What is it that turns a young person into a wise elder?  Simply put, it is growing in sound judgment.  Young people have no greater task than learning sound judgment from the elders around them as they grow.

How do you know sound judgment when you hear it?  Do you have sound judgment?  If so, where did you learn sound judgment?

Second Thought:

The second set of advice Paul gives is for Titus to be an example for the young people.  They are to be an example of good works.  They are to be an example of sound teaching.  They are to be an example of dignity.  They are to be an example of being above criticism.  There is a certain amount of brilliance in this advice as well.  New people in the faith may not be wise, but they can apply what they are learning to their life.  They can be the example of the community’s teaching.

Why is it important for younger people to work on their public or communal example?  What will working on a person’s example do for them later in life?

Third Thought:

As with the other groups, today we see Paul’s justification for the advice that he gives to this group.  Paul wants the younger people to be able to put down any opposition that they face.  The thing with younger people is that their elders don’t always listen to them.  They may not be able to argue their position in the community because they may not have the social credit.  However, if their actions are on point, then their actions will speak louder than any words they could say.

Have you ever seen a younger person’s words discounted because of their life experience?  How can their actions help to bridge that gap? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 2:9-10