Titus 2 ?
10 Comments
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Quick observation, your thoughts wanted:
Why don't older men (pastors included) model Titus 2 older man to younger men relationships?
As a younger man... I want to know.
10 comments:
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maybe...
(1) they were not mentored in that way, and they don't know what it practically looks like.
(2) they have desire, but not the follow-through. again, this could be due to the first reason.
(3) they don't yet feel like they're 'older men'. regardless of the knowledge that no one ever achieves perfection, some guys may feel like they're not yet at a level to mentor someone else.
(4) fear, ignorance. in that order.
just thoughts off the top of my head. which doesn't have much hair, so... there ya go. -
January 14, 2009 at 9:29 AM
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i agree with stephen's comments.
i would also add that time is another factor. -
January 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
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Hey Luca...i know im just a former student and dont have a answer to this question but i thought id let you know your making a diffrence in my brothers life and your deffinatly showing him what a godly man looks like. I just thought I'd let you know that you are fallowing the insturctions given in Titus 2(yes i did look it up an read the whole thing) Please be encouged by the fact that even if you think your just helping Tim out your helping my whole family, i'm nt sure Tim would be the man he is if not for the examples God has placed in his life... one of which is you, there is a huge differance between now and before you started discipling Tim. thank you for hearing a call and doing it.
-Jaime Ballard -
January 14, 2009 at 6:56 PM
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I agree with Stephen but would also add that I think people view the this scripture in Titus as a suggestion rather than clear instruction from God to do it...so time, schedules, comfort zones..etc..come into play so many (not all) refrain from stepping out to pursue these relationships.
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January 14, 2009 at 8:11 PM
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I'm thinking that men are naturally reticent when it comes to sharing emotions, insecurities, problems...They tend to relate to each other on a more superficial level than women. (most men, not all)
On a personal note, Nathan and I became aware of that tendency with him a few years ago and started praying for God to bring him godly friends that he could connect with on a deeper level and get the kind of accountability he needed. God answered that prayer in a mighty way!!
But, I do sense a lack of older/younger mentoring in the church with both sexes. Good question, Jeremy. -
January 14, 2009 at 8:25 PM
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also thought of the biblical model...
Paul --> Timothy (among others) --> "entrust these things to faithful men"
Great thoughts Stephen and Bethany, but what about OBEDIENCE? It isn't just the elders, which Paul deals with in chapter 1, but all the older men. -
January 14, 2009 at 8:42 PM
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There are obviously many reasons men don’t mentor men. Stephen mentioned several of them.
But, to add my thoughts.
One reason older men do not mentor younger men is that many younger men already know everything and there is nothing left to teach them. Few things are more frustrating than a mentoring relationship where the younger man spends most of his time explaining how the older man really ought to be handling the situations of life.
And, technically Titus 2 does not spell out a mentoring relationship between older and younger men. The older / younger mentoring in Titus 2 is woman to woman. Behaviors are listed for older men in verse 2 and younger men in verse 6 (possibly 7 & 8). But the older men are not specifically told to teach the younger men in this passage.
Personally, most of my mentoring came by just being around and watching older men to observe how they handled situations. I then tried to apply what I saw to my own life.
So, I see a lot of men who do model Titus 2. I know a lot of men who are temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. I would hope a lot of young men see these qualities and try to emulate them.
Having said that, I am not against men mentoring men, and think it is a great way to make disciples. -
January 15, 2009 at 8:19 AM
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Men are typically logical and not relational as women are. Sometimes they are so wrapped up in their work that they hardly have time for their family let alone mentoring others! A great deal don't even mentor their families
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January 15, 2009 at 9:33 AM
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Nice David! For all those wondering (some have asked), David is one of those men who has accomplished this relationship in my life (thanks for lunch on Tuesday!)
I guess I am looking too far into that "likewise" from verse 6. Arrogance, whether in younger or older men, is a definite hindrance. Seeing the qualities in action, both in the older men and the elders, is a good point. I guess the Jesus model, the 11 who lived, dined, worked, ministered... and the Paul model is what I was thinking about too.
I've been doing some reading on the rabbinical model within the inter-testament time period, where the student 1. wanted to become like his rabbi; 2. the rabbi invested in student to take over after he was gone; 3. the student left family live with rabbi (seeing every aspect of life in action). Of course, this model is extra-biblical, but makes ya think.
Thanks for all of y'all's thoughts! -
January 15, 2009 at 9:54 AM
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all these are great comments. i agree with david and would say that most of my mentoring has come from being around older, godly men and observing their lives. occasionally they have spoken directly into my life, but i think it's been common for me to look back at my life and see those men that God has used to influence, shape, and disciple me. and, sometimes I've never even met them personally.
sometimes, in the church, i think we try too hard to put discipleship models/programs in place and they seem to fail, when if we lived in unity and community like Christ taught us a lot of mentoring/discipleship would just take place naturally. that said, i don't have a perfect model in mind and i'm definitely all for intentional relationships.
again, great comments from all... -
January 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM
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