Motherhood + Community

Survey Intro

I recently did a very small poll on my social media about motherhood. One of the questions I asked was if the moms felt they had community during their motherhood experience. 80% said no. I find this incredibly sad and alarming at the same time.

What is Biblical Community?

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Let’s examine this scripture from Titus in reference to what we should be doing to help create authentic relationships in our community to serve one another.

The first instruction here looks like it instructions for me: Be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

As we begin verse 2 we see the phrase, “older women are likewise”. Meaning… older women are ALSO to be

reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine

Teach what is good

train the young women to love their husbands and children

be self-controled

pure

working at home

kind

submissive to their husands

all of this so that God’s Word isn’t reviled or slandered.

THE NLT reads: Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

In order to build a biblical community that mirrors that of Acts, we need to posses some characteristics that are presented in Titus. These characteristics are important as they represent Christ, but also enable us to be authentic, helpful, and loving with those we are in community with. You can also find a list of similar qualities in Galatians 5 and Colossians 3.