Women's Prayer Initiative
Doctrine.
Some of us may be tempted to tune out upon mere mention of that word. Perhaps it sounds old or boring or not applicable to life in 2023. But stick with me here, sisters, because doctrine is simply another word for teaching, and what we believe determines how we live. Everyone, believer or not, has a set of beliefs or teachings they adhere to, and they then act upon that set of beliefs. That’s why the short book of Titus is so repetitive, why doctrine comes up again and again: so that we’re careful and guarded in our belief system; that we adhere to sound doctrine, meaning doctrine that is healthy and pure and errorfree. Because what we believe affects everything else in our lives.
In the book of Titus, Paul writes to the young pastor, Titus, giving him instruction for every believer in the Cretan church. They had a lot going for them. Crete was beautiful and prosperous. But some of the young believers were being influenced by false teachings, unable to discern truth from falsehood. Titus tells us these teachers were insubordinate, empty talkers, deceivers, liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:16
That description doesn’t sound much different than the world in which we live, does it? Practically speaking, the false teachers made scripture say what they wanted and put their own spin on it, seeking to make it softer or more palatable. The same is true today. From all sides we hear it—that subtle twist of scripture, the blending of beliefs, the addition (or subtraction) of what scripture says.
Each day we’re bombarded by the world’s idea of how we should live….what success looks like...what we should value. How will you decide? If we are to discern truth from error, our hearts must be immersed in knowing and loving God’s Word. Paul’s encouragement to Titus and the early believers (and to us) in this dark culture was to hold fast and teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1)— not in a way that is self-righteous and self-focused, but in a Spirit-led, humble way that shines a light on the beauty of the gospel. Paul will go on to describe the curriculum that older women are to live out and
impart to younger women in Titus 2 (which we’ll be breaking down together over the course of this next year). But his purpose in this call to radical, counter-cultural living is not to elevate and make us look good. Instead, sisters, we are to teach, adhere, and live out sound doctrine
“that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:5
“so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. “ Titus 2:8
“so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2:10
Oh, may we be women who receive and know and submit to the Word of God with gladness; that our surrendered lives to Christ will adorn the gospel and make it compelling to a watching world.
Join us on this year-long journey as together we learn about the beauty of life together, older and younger, step by step, season by season.
We’re launching a year-long venture of praying scripture together. This year’s theme is based in Titus, and it’s all about older and younger, life on life, side by side discipleship. As we pray these scriptures together, be encouraged knowing that a woman of our prayer team is praying specifically for you! And we encourage you to join us and pray these same scriptures over your loved ones.
When we pray scripture, we know we’re in keeping with the will of God! If you’re interested in being part of our prayer team, praying for a small group of women each month from your home, contact Nikki MacDonald by clicking the button below.
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