Teaching the Word
Something for Everyone
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
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 husbands 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.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example to by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speach, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:1-6
The teaching of the church must conform to "sound doctrine." That is, our teaching must align with the Scripture and be accurately applied. This is neither a small nor easy task. Making certain that we "rightly divide the word of truth" takes careful study and prayerful attention. To rightly handle God's Word means we must consider more than a single verse or text. We must read and study actively, asking how does this relate to the rest of this passage, book, and the rest of God's revelation in the Bible. We have to read God's Word in light of God's Word.
Secondly, teaching the Scripture well and accurately requires that its message be given a context within the lives of those who hear it. Appropriating doctrine means living well. Paul's instruction to Titus is to first, "Teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Then, he encourages a set of personal attributes and actions appropriate to various groups. The connection between belief (faith) and action (work) is, therefore, of great imporatance to the apostle. He would disavow any teaching that did not have at its end a vigorous life-application. So should we.
The apostle concludes this section on teaching the Word with these words:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldy passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 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.
The end aim, then, of Biblical theology should be the salvation of those who hear, accompanied by an eagerness "to do what is good." Often, we lose sight of that true purpose. Isolated from our "real lives," theology seems like a dry, academic pursuit. Realizing that the end of right teaching is right living, we can pursue the knowledge of God as the highest, truest, most worthwhile aim. Here we find that our life has its center and source here. Right doctrine is both effective and affective upon the lives of true believers.
These, then, are the things that you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15