Titus 2:2-5
Illustrate Fact: In 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year Mother’s Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia. Ms. Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessman, and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother’s Day. It was successful as by 1911 Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state. President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.
Illustrate Humor: WHAT MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME
My mother taught me RELIGION: When I spilled grape juice on the carpet,
she instructed, “You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet.”
My mother taught me LOGIC: From her decisive words, “Because I said so,
that is why.”
My mother taught me FORESIGHT: “Make sure you wear clean underwear,
in case you’re in an accident.”
My mother taught me IRONY: “Keep laughing, and till give you something
to cry about.”
My mother taught me about STAMINA: “You’ll sit there until all that spinach
is finished.”
My mother taught me about WEATHER: “It looks as if a tornado swept
through your room.”
My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: “I brought you into this world,
and I can take you out.”
My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: “Stop acting like
your father!”
My mother taught me about ENVY: “There are millions of less fortunate
children in this world who don’t have a wonderful Mom like you do!”
THANKS, MOM!
Key Scripture: Titus 2:3-5 — 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. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
SEVEN LESSONS FOR A GODLY WOMAN
1. Love your husband: Prov. 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
2. Love your children: Psa. 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
3. Be self-controlled: 1 Pet 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
4. Be pure: 1 Tim 2:9-10 – I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Paul is saying to be different you must also look different.
1 Peter 3:3-4 – Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. [4] Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
5. Be busy at home: Prov. 31:15-17 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
Prov. 31:27-28 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness (joblessness). Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
6. Be kind: Ephes. 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
7. Be subject to your husbands
Ephes. 5:22 – Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
Col. 3:18 – Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
1 Peter 3:1-2 – Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
Final Illustration: Letter from God to women,
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man’s life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you….I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.
You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel…..You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes……don’t change them. Your lips-how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch. I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I’ve held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
So man…treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile.