Becoming a Titus 2 Woman – A Book Review

This book, by Martha Peace describes itself as “a tool to train older women to successfully mentor younger women.”  She believes that “God desires every Christian woman’s ministry to be somewhat centered around being a Titus 2 Woman and teaching and encouraging the younger women to be a Titus 2 Woman.”  Based primarily on Titus 2:3-5, the book is divided into four parts:

• When I disciple a younger woman;
• How does a Titus 2 woman act?
• What does a Titus 2 woman teach?
• Why should a Titus 2 woman teach?

The first two sections focus on the mentoring process and the character qualities of an “older woman”.  “Older” does not refer only to a woman’s age in years–it refers more importantly to the level of maturity in her Christian walk.  The older woman should be maturing in the areas of doctrine, character and ministry for Him.  The older woman is to model the godly life and teach the younger woman, through words and example.

Titus specifically instructs the older women to teach and encourage the younger women in seven specific areas.  The third section of this book focuses on how women can be obedient in doing that.  The study questions at the end of each chapter help women to understand what the Bible teaches in each of these areas.

The final section discusses the reason that older women should be teaching the younger women–“that the Word of God may not be dishonored” (Titus 2:5).  It is an encouragement that we take this mandate seriously.

The book is full of practical examples, and a woman who reads the book and completes the study questions will feel prepared to minister to younger women as instructed in Titus 2.

Running with the Giants – A Book Review

Running with the Giants is a small but mighty book authored by John C. Maxwell.  Its subtitle, “What Old Testament Heroes Want You to Know about Life and Leadership” summarizes this book in a nutshell.  In each of the ten short chapters, an Old Testament leader and hero of the faith shares a key lesson they learned in their life.  These words of wisdom are meant to encourage and empower the reader as they run their own race.  Noah, Esther, Joseph, Moses, Rebekah, Abraham, Nehemiah, the servant girl, David and Jonathan each share their life lesson in an intimate first person, conversational format.

The author begins each chapter with a little biblical/biographical background on the character and how God was working in his or her life.  From there, the character “speaks” to us, sharing a life lesson from their perspective, ending with some specific encouragement and application to the reader.  The character then shares his prayer for us.  Each chapter ends with a discussion guide that asks the reader to consider how the character may have seen certain events in his or her life, as well as personal reflection questions which make the lesson(s) applicable to the reader.

I highly recommend this small book, as it considers such significant leadership issues as when life isn’t turning out as you had planned, when you are fearful or reluctant, when problems overwhelm you, and when you think your efforts are insignificant, to name just a few.

Planning Your Retreat – A Book Review

“Planning Your Retreat” is a short 25-page spiral bound booklet by June Hesterly of Acts 1:8 Ministries and a former Calvary Chapel pastor’s wife.  It can be purchased through Calvary Distribution.  Though small, it is packed with very practical and to-the-point advice for anyone planning a women’s retreat.  The advice ranges from developing a “retreat board,” raising funds to provide scholarship aid, registration, finding a location and guest speaker, to giving the reader retreat theme ideas and sample forms useful for retreat planning.  In fact, the book briefly covers many of the topics we hope to cover more thoroughly on this website.

Ms. Hesterly’s advice comes from years of experience and the perspective of one who has participated in retreats, has planned retreats as a pastor’s wife, and has often been the guest speaker at retreats.  This makes her wise advice particularly insightful.

Spiritual Mothering – A Book Review

Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt, is written particularly to speak to those women in the church whom Paul addresses in Titus 2 when he states “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 husband 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.”  However, this could also be a mandate for every women’s ministry.  As Ms. Hunt states “every Christian woman can enter the high calling of spiritual reproduction and motherhood.”

She defines “spiritual mothering” as:  “When a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God’s glory.”

In today’s society, the extended family has all but disappeared, and women are deprived of that source of security and fellowship.  That, in addition to the transience of our society, makes long-term relationships with other women difficult.  Women in the church today need godly mentors, and throughout this book, Ms. Hunt encourages women to invest themselves in the lives of younger women.  She tells us what we are commanded to teach them, according to Titus 2, and how we can encourage, love, accept and comfort them.  Woven throughout are testimonies of women whose lives have been changed by having an older godly woman mentor and teach them.

In our women’s ministries, we are encouraging our ladies to live as godly women in all areas of their lives.  They are being bombarded with a very different message from the world on a daily basis. While the emphasis of this book is the one-on-one relationship, I see great value in these principles being applied within our women’s ministries.  We see how Jesus gently mentored His disciples, often as a group–He invested His life into theirs, spending time with them, inspiring them, teaching them, exhorting them, encouraging them and being an example to them.  As women’s ministry leaders, we can endeavor to do the same with the the ladies who choose to be involved in women’s ministry.

“Wherever you are in life’s timeline, the experiences you have been through and the faith lessons you have learned are worth perpetuating.  Even as you look back and find younger women to nurture, I urge you to look ahead and avail yourself of the perspective of an older woman–you will be richer–other women will be encouraged and equipped–God will be glorified–His Word will be honored!”  May we develop such relationships within our women’s ministries.