We homeschool Mothers are mostly familiar with the blessed passage of Scripture from Titus 2 that so specifically deals with us as wives and mothers. Paul is listing for Timothy those qualities that are necessary for sound doctrine within the church, and included is the behavior that is proper and fitting for us as women:
. . . the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given too much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Titus 2: 3-5
Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve read that passage tons of times and may have walked away with a few good questions. One of mine has often been: Where is my older woman? In other words, where are those older women in the church who are to be teaching me these things, living them out before me, giving me concrete examples and practical tips to grow and mature in my walk as a Titus 2 woman? Where are the older women?
Well I have thought of many reasons for the void and while I won’t go into all the details, I will say that a chasm exists between my generation and my grandmother’s: from family size to career choices to and on and on. But God’s Word remains; it is true and it is right. And rather than go on passing down gaps and holes to the next generation, he have to do our part as middle-of-the-road older women.
Middle-of-the-road? Well, I still feel young enough that I know there’s so much wisdom I could glean from an older woman about loving my husband, raising my children, and keeping my home. However, I may be older than a newly wed wife or first-time mom. There are things I can share with these women to strengthen them in her journey. But, how?
- Form a team for planning.
- Have food, fun, and a theme.
- Invite women and their children to come.
- Invite some grandmothers and great-aunts as well.
My church has begun a small team of women to do just this, and I am honored to be a part of it.
We have a little welcome time for mamas and littles (infants to 4 years old), where we munch on a lovely spread of fruit and muffins and suc, while we mingle. There’s an ice-breaker, a little time of prayer and encouragement, older woman to younger woman, urging them to embrace this season of life as wives and mothers. Also made available is a resource table where moms can browse through topics like: health and nutrition, book recommendations, blogs and podcasts, early childhood development, mom tips, etc.
Then we have a mama-and-me activity time: story time, sensory play, and small craft. Each activity is centered around a certain theme. The older women can assist the moms and littles in the activities and chat with them. At the end, mama and child(ren) get to snap a picture together and take it home with them as a keepsake.
Prayerfully during this time, mothers are encouraged and strengthened, while connections and friendships can begin to take shape. This is just small way to scratch the surface and begin bridging gaps. Something like this can be done with friends, women in your church, in your homeschool circles or in your neighborhood–even with the women within your own family.
We have to be diligent to this Titus 2 mandate ladies, helping the older women to see how much they’re needed by the younger, while encouraging the younger women to listen and value the wisdom of the older.
What are your Titus 2 experiences? In what ways can we bridge the gaps? What ideas do you have to encourage teaching by the older women to the younger?
