Teach what is good - Titus 2

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good." Titus 2:3 (NIV)

Hey ladies! Are you still with us?

I hope so. It seems life has gotten in the way of the blog this week! I know in our house we've had some back to back sickness and allergies. Currently, my baby girl is suffering from her fourth ear infection and the croup! And she got it on her first birthday. Happy Birthday!

About this part of our Titus verse...the first thing that I notice is how it says, "but to teach what is good." So we're told "not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine" yet instead to teach what is good.

Forgive me for stating the obvious - but that is typically where I start when dissecting scripture. So what exactly does it mean to "teach what is good?"

I think it means that everything we "teach" should be theologically sound and line up with the scriptures. Obviously, this passage is calling the older women to be teaching the younger women. Certainly this principle applies to any teaching situation whether it be your own children, the youth you disciple at church, a friend, etc.

I've certainly found this task to be way more difficult than I had originally thought. Last year (when I was pregnant with Adeline), I helped lead a small group of high school senior girls at our church. I actually led this same group two years prior when they were sophomores. During that first year, I very quickly learned how much they challenged me simply because of the incredible grasp most of them had on scriptures. The difference between them and me was that they were raised in a true bible teaching churches and families. My scripture knowledge didn't really start to increase until college when I actually began studying the Word. (Sidenote: Those girls kicked my tail numerous times at Bible Trivia. Good times. I miss you girls!)

My point in saying that is that I quickly learned that the best way to have a filter for teaching "what is good" is to have a solid knowledge of scripture. I learned that from the time I studied the word with my senior (and sophomore) girls.


Of course, when I thought about writing my post this week, I had great plans for using some commentaries and lexicons to really get to the meat of the passage. I was especially interested in the word, "good." But, when my family came first, the plans changed.

Anyone have any additional insight? Especially about that word, "good"?

Thanks for your patience and for continuing to read and support each other through POH.