Encouraging the Roles of Laypeople
Exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:6-8
The Apostle Paul uses the word “exhort” to emphasize the need to encourage younger men. We see how the world offers so much to replace God’s word. The youth are vulnerable to placing work and sports as a priority over God’s word. Therefore, Titus is especially encouraging them to remain faithful to God’s word. Even if you are not a younger man, you would do well to heed Titus’ encouragement. There are many things that exist to cause our attention to be drawn away from God’s word.
Titus is to exhort the younger men to be sober-minded. This is a characteristic that shows spiritual maturity. Being sober-minded shows self-control in every aspect of life. Titus is to encourage the younger men to be sober-minded by being an example of good works in every aspect of life, whether family, congregational, or public life. Besides being an example to the younger men, he is also to instruct them in the word of God with integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and sound speech. Each of these descriptors of how to teach reminds Titus to only proclaim God’s word and to proclaim it with confidence. The result is simply that no one may discredit God’s word. By sound teaching and being an example of good works, Titus is exhorting the younger men to be sober-minded, and thus, teaching them to be future leaders in the congregation. Let us pray for the younger men in our congregation as well as the pastor.
Dear Heavenly Father, give the younger men of our congregation self-control. May they listen to the spiritual guidance of the older men, particularly the called pastor. May the pastor faithfully teach the word of God and be an example of good works so that young and old may respect him as their spiritual leader. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.