Man up, my fellow senior godly men, and let this lesson make you better older men of God. We have a vital role to play. These 6 points will help improve your walk in Christ. So make time to review these six Bible-based points.
Older Men: 6 Bible-based Points on Being Senior Godly Men
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: Titus 2:2. Bible lesson background Titus 2:1-10: Teaching all people how to be godly: For aged men, Titus 2:1-2. Aged women, Titus 2:3. Young women, Titus 2:4-5. Young men, Titus 2:6. For Titus, Titus 2:7-8. And for servants, Titus 2:9-10.
- Titus 2:2 [read Titus 2:1-10 (2)]
- Older men are to be clear-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience. (TLV)
- KJV: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
- G3524 νηφάλεος nephaleos (nee-fa’-le-os) adj. sober, temperate; abstaining from wine, either entirely (Josephus, Antiquities 3, 12, 2) or at least from its immoderate use:
My elder men (brothers), it is time that we man up in godly ways. The Scriptures make it clear in 6 points via Titus 2:2. Take a few minutes to learn more now that you are here.
Sound teaching for aged or older men
1. Sober – clear minded
Do you drink too much? Refusing to drink is one of the best ways to stay sober. Otherwise, do so in moderation, using self-control.
- Ephesians 5:18 [read Ephesians 5:15-21 (18)]
- Do not drink too much wine so that you become drunk. That will destroy your life. Instead, let God’s Spirit fill you. (EASY)
- KJV: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
- Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: As if to say, “Avoid such false elevation; yet seek instead not a dead level of feeling, but the sacred heights of spiritual joy and power, in that Divine Love which (Song of Solomon 1:2) ‘is better than wine’.”
2. Grave; honest – dignified
This is a call, to be honest, sensible, and respectable. As a matter of fact, a dignified man respects himself and earns the respect of others. Be honest and well-thought-of senior godly men!
- Philippians 4:8-9 [read Philippians 4:8 (8-9)]
- And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. (NLT)
- KJV: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honestG4586, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
- Semnos – grave; honest
- G4586 σεμνός semnos (sem-nos’) adj. august, venerable, reverend; to be venerated [respected] for character, honorable.
3. Temperate – self-controlled/wise
Senior godly men or older men of God, are wise, self-controlled, and sober-minded. Men of godly wisdom are humble and not big-headed. Therefore, they receive God’s favor and glory (Proverbs 3:34-35).
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 and 27 [read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (25 and 27)]
- 25 Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. 27 I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won’t lose out after telling the good news to others. (CEV)
- KJV: 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperateG1467 in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
- Egkrateuomai – temperate
- G1467 ἐγκρατεύομαι egkrateuomai (eng-kra-tev’-o-mai) v. to be self-controlled, continent; to exhibit self-government, conduct oneself temperately.
4. Sound (strong) in faith
You older men should be sound (strong, true) in faith. Put another way, due to your presumed experience, you should have healthy faith. Let Abraham’s example inspire you; at nearly 100 years old, he trusted that God would “make him the father of many nations” (Romans 4:18-19).
- Romans 4:20-21 [read Romans 4:13-25 (20-21)]
- Abraham did not doubt God’s promise. His faith in God was strong, and he gave thanks to God. 21 He was sure God was able to do what He had promised. (NLV)
- KJV: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
5. Sound in love
It is certainly implied that older men are sound in love. Other phrases in the Scriptures apply to this point as well. For instance, “being rooted and grounded in love,” (Ephesians 3:17). Also, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, “abound in love”, has a similar meaning.
The senior godly men are (should be) seasoned examples of love and should know/show ‘true love’.
- 1 John 3:18 [read 1 John 3:16-23 (18)]
- My children, our love should not be only words and talk. Our love must be true love. And we should show that love by what we do. (ICB)
- KJV: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
6. Sound in patience
The final point is to be sound in patience. Patience allows us to go through all things in peace. It teaches us to wait on the Lord and not act or react too soon. Have you learned patience?
- Hebrews 10:35-36 [read Hebrews 10:26-39 (35-36)]
- So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly. 36 You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you. (ERV)
- KJV: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Being Senior Godly Men
- Titus 2:11-12 [read Titus 2:11-15 (11-12)]
- The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It educates us so that we can live sensible, ethical, and godly lives right now by rejecting ungodly lives and the desires of this world. (CEB)
- KJV: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
For your good example
- How wonderful it is for someone to recognize your example of godly living. Not that we want praise from people. But it is encouraging to hear it. Our ultimate goal is to “receive a rich welcome into the kingdom that lasts forever.” [From 2 Peter 1:11 (NIRV)]
- 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 [read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (2-3)]
- We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers. 3 For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm. (GNT)
- KJV: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Given these points, strive to have others say they remember your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3). So I urge you to man up, my fellow senior godly men, and let this lesson make you better older men of God.
Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:
See the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a wonderful day!
Show that you are a seasoned and wise elder godly man. Earn the respect of others… #oldermen.
Message in the picture:
older men – man-up in godly ways
Verse for the day:
Titus 2:2
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Friday, October 06, 2017
Photo of a night scene in downtown Riverside, CA with Bishop Tim Pettiford. Taken with SAMSUNG-SM- N950U on October 05, 2017, at 8:40 pm by TP Photography. Graphics by T&T Dezignz. Tags: older men; Bible lesson.
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