(I am delighted to share this article, written by Renee Rysdyk, with you. Renee and her husband, John,  have led our church faithfully for many years and I am so thankful for their ministry. Learn more about Renee at the end of this article. I pray that you are encouraged by what you read. -Stephanie)

“One generation shall praise Your name to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”– Psalm 145:4

   Facing any life-threatening or life-altering situation makes you re-evaluate your priorities and think about what kind of legacy you will leave behind. I recently had one of those experiences (again) and an amusing thought occurred to me:  Hmm, now I guess I’m “too old to die young” to quote an old country song.
Lately, I’ve been thinking much about Titus 2:3-5. In this letter from the apostle Paul, he instructed Titus, the spiritual leader of the church in many practical areas. But in this particular passage he told Titus to delegate the teaching of the younger women to the older women.  This is a divinely inspired plan, and I am so thankful that the Lord put many godly women in my life through the years to instruct me both in their teaching and by their example!
I made a list of the areas of qualifications and instruction in these verses and then put next to each category the names of women who had been my role models in those areas. Not surprisingly, my own mother was prominently featured in the list, but I was amazed by the variety of women who had also influenced my life and impacted my spiritual growth. Then I faced the hard part: now that I am an “older woman,” not just because of my age, but because I have had the joy of walking as a believer for a long time, is there anyone who can look at me and say that I have taught them well?

Here is what the Bible says we are to teach/learn:
“The older women likewise, that they be:  (the qualifications of a godly mentor)
 • reverent in behavior (worthy of respect)
• not slanderers (not a gossip, able to keep confidences)
• not given to much wine (self-controlled, not  impulsive or using a substance as an “escape” from reality)
• teachers of good things (acts of kindness, examples are listed next)
That they admonish (teach, instruct) the young women:
• To love their husbands  (unconditionally, as Christ has loved us)
• To love their children (not just indulging them, but really doing what is best for them, even when it is inconvenient or painful)
• To be discreet , chaste (guard your purity in your mind, in your actions, and your appearance)
• To be homemakers  (make sure your home is a place where God is honored and your husband and children are at peace, not a place of chaos and frustration, but a hospitable sanctuary)
• To be good  (actively seek opportunities to do acts of kindness)
• To be obedient to their own husbands (be submissive to him, just as Christ submitted to the Father’s will –compare I Peter 3:1-4 with I Peter 2:21)

SO THAT the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Ah, here is the end purpose: it’s not just so I can be more spiritually mature or have a more peaceful life. In fact, it’s not really about me. It’s about the credibility of God. How does my life exhibit the truth of God’s word? Am I an excuse for someone to dismiss the Bible, or am I living in such a way that my example would draw others to look into and trust God’s Word?

We women have a challenge before us: Learn from those older or more mature in their faith. And teach the younger. Whether that happens in an informal setting (just hanging out, maybe serving together) or in a structured manner (a class or a mentorship relationship), it simply needs to happen.

 “Let your light so shine before men (or in this case, before younger women), that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16

Renee Rysdyk is a wife as well as a mother of 3 adult children. She has walked in relationship with Jesus since she was a young girl, and has served as a pastor’s wife for over 30 years in Colorado and Alaska. She has been a school teacher, taught private music lessons, and even made brave attempts at homeschooling. Her “Mom Cave” (sewing room) is her happy place. Renee has faced many joys and trials, including two battles with breast cancer, and can testify of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.