Titus 2, Role Model System

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 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. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 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.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Role Model System: I see here a system in place where the older, more experienced men and women groom and prepare the next generation. In this case I see the overall picture of someone's character being taught. Not too in depth with TOO MANY guidelines either. Ultimately it is all tied to the word of God and caution is given NOT to malign the word of God. I guess the problem we might have is that so many children are being raised in single family homes and there may only be one role model, be it a man or a woman. Also, what if that one person isn't in the word, or isn't much of a role model? I guess the system breaks down.

Be Sound: I love verses 7 and 8 and how it calls us to live such a life that if someone were to oppose what we stand for they would be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Kind of like an insult contest and they can't come up with anything bad to say and they just walk away defeated.

When I think of these verses I wonder what someone could actually say bad about me? Am I selfish? Am I living the way God wants me to? It is tough to do a self-check! Try teaching a class with your spouse at your side when you are talking about areas where you have personal weaknesses. Outside of you and God, the person who knows you best would be the person you live with on a daily basis.

Also,keep in mind that you can't always be the one receiving the mentoring. You should eventually be teaching and mentoring others!