There were two new girls in our Junior High class Sunday morning. They came as the result of bus visitation the previous week.One of the greatest pleasures was to see them read the Bibles we offered them, right along with the rest of the class. As we moved around the room reading verses and answering questions, they chimed right in.
They paid the closest attention when I was speaking of how Titus is a concise description of how to live the Christian life. I spent time on one of my responsibilities.
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV)
I asked all of the girls to pray for their husbands. Yes, there were a couple of odd looks, but I explained that there was a young man out there preparing to be their husband. Each needed to pray for the other, to promise they would remain discreet, chaste, pure, looking forward to God’s time for them to meet. Whether they were career or stay-at-home, they needed to learn to be keepers at home.
Why? As Christians, they were to be the examples to others. Keeping these promises, to oneself as well as their future husband, served as an example of their love for God. Somewhere there was a male teacher giving the following verses.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (Titus 2:6-7 KJV)
Each of us is responsible for the following verses.
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:8-12 KJV)
Pastor’s sermon was on Titus 2, too. Why? Because we are …
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13-14 KJV)
The result of last week's visits, this week’s attendance, lesson and sermon resulted in four of our new attendees coming to the altar this morning and accepting God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, as their Lord. And I rejoiced with the angels.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10 KJV)
(The Caribbean skyline photo is one of my own)
Praise the Lord for the bus ministry! My husband was a bus kid at the age of six. Now we are serving God full-time in missions. I've been told he was extremely quite and shy, the kind of kid who gets overlooked. But a man was willing to invite him and his brother to ride the bus one Saturday, and another man had a burden to encourage him as he grew up. I appreciate the bus ministry and those who give of themselves to these children whether on the bus, in the class, or in the church, generally speaking. Lord wiling, these girls will grow up to serve alongside some great men of God. Thank you!
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