To the Faithful, Older Woman.

Transcription

1 To the Faithful, Older Woman. First, we want to thank you for picking up this packet and considering the opportunities God has for you in serving the younger women at Cornerstone Church. We understand you may be hesitant to take on more responsibility at this season of your life, however we want to encourage you and to guide you through Scripture, assuring you that God, along with other members of the body of Christ will both equip and support you as you minister in the unique position God has ordained for us as the older women of our communities. For those of you who are presently active in relationships with younger women, our hope is that you will also find this information encouraging and a helpful resource in your teaching and development as a maturing Christian. To simplify this teaching, we divided the packet into three sections. The first section speaks to the conduct of all believers in Christ. Although it is not exhaustive in scope, you will read representative passages that guide every believer in how we are to conduct ourselves in relationship to God, to other believers and to those outside the body of Christ. The second section speaks directly to women. There are specific instructions in Scripture for women and this will focus in particular on those instructions to the older woman. Included in this section is an article by Rochelle Fleming. It is an excellent resource on the Titus 2 woman and we believe you will enjoy reading Rochelle s writings. The third and last section is exclusive to Cornerstone Church. Since we do not live in first century Christianity we need to evaluate Scripture in light of the world in which we live, while maintaining the integrity of Christ s and the Apostle s teachings. This is perhaps the most challenging section to clarify. Since we know that the Holy Spirit is present in all believers and we are called to yield to His direction it is difficult to state with precision how we each are to carry out the commands of God. Our God is a creative and imaginative God, who allows for His followers to have freedom in obeying Him. What you will read are general guidelines agreed upon by our Community Pastors but your specific application of the Scriptures will be graciously guided by your neighborhood shepherd or Elder, in unity, as the Holy Spirit leads. Please take the next few weeks to pour over these Scriptures and teachings and to ponder in your heart how God would have you respond. Allow His Word to speak to you and bathe you in wisdom and understanding. Prayerfully consider how God is speaking to you directly in your life circumstance. Should you desire it, we are available to meet with you individually and help you as you examine His Word and it s calling on your life and service to Him. Thank you and we pray this will be a time of blessing and enlightenment.

2 The Calling of All Believers Section One Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Jesus as recorded by Matthew (22:36-39) Consider these two commands in relation to your own walk with God. Take as much time as you need to answer the questions below. If it s helpful, journal your answers while you examine your heart in light of your current circumstances. How are you doing spiritually? Where are you struggling? Are you trying to obey these commandments without depending on the Holy Spirit to guide, equip and strengthen you? What is interfering with your devotion to God and to your neighbors? Are you too caught up in the busyness of life to pursue God and His desires for you? Do you have a trusted friend in your life to help you sort through these questions? If you are presently a devoted follower of Christ, are you helping your neighbor to join you in your devotion to God? What do you need today to help you grow in your love for God and His people?

3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The Apostle Paul to the Church at Ephesus (4:1) Repeatedly in the New Testament all believers are called to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. What follows is a list of references we ask you to examine and to list those qualities which God says reflects our devotion to Him. For example, in the verse above all believers are called to walk With all humility And gentleness With patience Bearing with one another in love Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit In the bond of peace Take a close look at the following passages: I Thessalonians 2:10-12 Philippians 1:27-29 Colossians 1:9-12 Colossians 3:5-4:6 2 Peter 1:2-10 What is God revealing to you about the conduct desired of all believers? Are you personally growing and maturing? God is not requiring you to have attained perfection, but rather He desires that you be in pursuit of it with the Spirit. Do you allow yourself the grace to fail, and yet press on towards the goal?

4 Christian virtue is a matter of imitating the One who reveals the standard of perfect righteousness RC Sproul Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1 Take some time reflecting on the following passages which guide us into perfect Christ-likeness. Humility I Peter 5:6-7 Philippians 2:1-4 Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 Ephesians 5:18-20 Submission to authority I Peter 5:5 Ephesians 5:22, 24 Ephesians 6:5-8 Titus 3:1-2 Hebrews 13:17 Unity within the body 1 Corinthians 12:25 Matthew 22:39 I Corinthians 12:12-14 I Corinthians 1:10 Abiding in Christ John 15: 1-17 What is Christ desirous of changing in your life and attitudes? In the days ahead prayerfully consider how God is molding you into His image. What is He revealing to you about what He wants to do for and through you for His kingdom?

5 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James, the brother of Jesus (1:2-4) What is your understanding of the value and purposes of suffering? Read the passages below and ask God to reveal to you His wisdom in your present or past sufferings. I Peter 2:18-24 James 1:2-4 Romans 5:1-5 I Peter 4:12-14, 19 I Peter 5:10 I Peter 3:14-17 Do you believe in our sovereign God, and are you willing to walk alongside another woman in her journey of faith and suffering? Do you believe you have a proper perspective on what God is able to accomplish in our hearts only through our suffering? I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Paul to the Church in Rome (12:1-2) One of the most beautiful aspects of the Gospel of Christ is the laying down of our mortal lives in devotion to Him and Him returning to us supernaturally eternal life. This exchange is so extraordinary that is should cause us daily to submit to His call and joyfully participate in sacrificing for His kingdom. Read the passages below for further study and consider your present life in light of them. Luke 9:23-24 Ephesians 5:2

6 Section Two The Unique Role of Women Along with teachings for all believers God also gave specific instructions to individuals, including Elders, Pastors, men, women and children. Please read the following passages specifically for women. Genesis 2:18-25 Proverbs 31 I Peter 3:1-5 I Timothy 3:11 Ephesians 5:22, 24 Titus 2:3-5 What did God remind you about how special you are as His creation? Did He reveal something new to you in your reading? Are there any areas in which you struggle as a woman? What do you find most helpful in understanding your role as a woman in the body of Christ? Where do you find the most pleasure and delight in being a woman? Do you truly appreciate the beauty of being God s creation and His unique appointment for you as a woman? What would help you enjoy your femininity more completely? Read the attached article on Titus 2:3-5 by Rochelle Fleming for more insight into the role of the older woman in the church body. Ponder how God is calling you to serve in this special assignment in the lives of younger women. What assistance do you need to feel confident that God is calling you to invest in the life of a younger woman at this time?

7 Section Three Women Loving Women at Cornerstone For some time now Cornerstone Church has been leading its people to a greater commitment to living the Gospel life in their local neighborhoods. But until recently the role of the older woman has not been emphasized in these relationships. (Please see Todd Nighswonger s message on Titus 2 from August 1, 2010 for a complete teaching of this passage.) Potentially, we are at the threshold of an awesome work of God in our midst. Unlike any other time in the history of Cornerstone, the opportunity is here now for the older women to serve the body of Christ and to participate in helping bring about lifechanging relationships for God s glory. Historically, God has used women powerfully to bring about heart change in marriage relationships, child rearing and virtuous living. This is precisely what God commands us in Titus and it should be our privilege to participate with Him in this work. But we also know the work can be intimidating and overwhelming. And Satan is opposing us in the redemption of our marriages and families and culture. So, we need help. In God s perfect order, He provides the help we need. Titus 2 states very clearly that the Elders of the church are to instruct the older women as they in turn instruct the younger women. Additionally, the older women are given freedom and opportunity to teach one another the truths and application of God s Word. What does this look like at Cornerstone Church? First, Cornerstone is developing and appointing Elder and Shepherd leadership throughout Simi Valley (and in LA and Western Ventura Counties too). Consistent with God s Word, the development of Elder/Shepherd leaders is always on-going, but it is the desire of our leadership that every neighborhood has godly oversight. The best protection we older women can have is to have access to godly counsel and support from these leaders. They are in place to shield us, guide us, equip us and encourage us as we go about our days and find pleasure in teaching younger women to love God, to love their husbands and children and to live virtuous lives. We are also in the development stages of establishing regular gatherings of older women for encouragement and equipping. We also are gathering resources for you to have and use as you meet with younger women. Lastly, we are always anxious to hear directly from each of you what you need and how we can help. Again, we are so appreciative for the time and effort you gave to this material and we are hopeful you will respond to God s calling. Let us help you as you journey with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ and with the women He places before you. To His Glory, Robin Albanese and the JOY team ralbanese@cornerstonesimi.com

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