Characteristics of a Healthy Church – Generational Discipleship | October 3, 2021 | Chad Friestad
According to a recent Barna Research study, 41% of Christians across all ages agree with the following statement: “I believe my spiritual life is entirely private.” But God wants believers to develop a different mindset and attitude.
This Sunday, we’ll be looking at something deeply countercultural: generational discipleship. As we look at Titus chapter 2, we’ll find instructions on how the different generations in the church should come alongside one another to grow as disciples of Jesus.
In a culture that promotes individualism, we’ll re-discover the blessings that come from valuing the older generation and embracing the younger generation. As we do, we gain spiritual wisdom, find human examples to follow, and experience the power of believers doing life together.
In Titus 2:1-15, we’ll take a look at the third characteristic of a healthy church: generational discipleship.
Titus 2:1-15 ESV
Teach Sound Doctrine
2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
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