What is a healthy church? You may say it’s a church without a spot or a no-offence church. But what does the Bible say? Titus 2:1-9 speaks of various qualities of a healthy church, which, when summed together, will give us its definition before the face of God. But above all, a healthy church in totality is one where sound doctrine is preached and practised without compromise by everyone.
Before I write about each of these qualities, reading Titus 2:1-9 very well shows us that Paul described five kinds of people in the church (older men and women, younger men and women, and slaves) and gave out some behavioural patterns they ought to emulate. So I’m taking them one category after the other. Then also expound briefly on the behavioural patterns they ought to imitate.
1. Older Men
“…that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;” — Titus 2:2 (NKJV)
So from this verse, the older men have to be sober (abstain from wine), temperate (venerable – impressive because of age), sound in faith (that is, speaking things which are true in the Word of God), sound in love (that is, maturely exhibiting the love of God), and sound in patience (that means, showing patience as a product of God’s love in you).
I believe these qualities are easy for aged men in the church to practise, not only because of their faith and life experiences but to teach others what they know.
2. Older Women
Secondly, the older women must be reverent in behaviour (showing respect to people generally), not slanderers (avoiding false accusations), not given too much wine (speaking in terms of alcoholism), and teachers of good things (Titus 2:3).
As an elderly woman in a church, you have experience about life the younger women don’t know. Treat them well, take at least one person from the youth church, and train the person to reverence God.
3. Younger Women
The verse after the verse that speaks about the qualities of elderly women in a healthy church is directly connected to what the young women must do.
“…that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” — Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV)
Young woman, it’s your responsibility to love your husband and children uniquely. There may be an aged woman in your church who has been married for a long time. Reach out to her when there is an issue. Let her help you to strengthen your marriage and family.
4. Younger Men
For young men, Paul didn’t say the older men should coach them. He told Titus that he must exhort (urge) the young men to be sober-minded.
“Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, [7] in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, [8] 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 (NKJV)
Paul understood that men would be so involved with work that they’d rarely go to the older generation for help because he himself was also a man. This hasn’t changed today.
If you’re a man like I do, you know that life comes with a lot of responsibilities. You may not be able to attend every spiritual gathering. But no matter where you are, you must remember that you’re an ambassador of Christ. You have been ordained to preach the Word of reconciliation to people, both in words and in attitude. Don’t be too involved in work to neglect your relationship with God and your family. Study your Bible and provide for people, and God will bring an increase to your labour.
5. Slaves
[9] “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, [10] not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” – Titus 2:9-10 (NKJV)
In those days, possessing slaves was normal. Today, it’s just like having employers and employees or coworkers in the same church. Because of Christ in such a boss, you can take him or her for granted. Don’t be mistaken. Be subject to your boss, behave well in the workplace, and work effectively.
