St Francis of Assisi is quoted as saying, "Preach always, when necessary use words". It is this quote that kept me from imploding during my two years at a "Preaching School"!

Although I never spoke in chapel, never gave a Wednesday night devotional, and never spoke at a gospel meeting, I often thought about what spreading the Gospel truly implied. Ironically, I heard more than one lesson given on the commonly heard phrase, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day". One day a student said to me, "What are you doing here? You don't even preach!" Admittedly, the young man was not in a good mood that day, but my heart still ached, not so much for myself, but for all the women who had been told similar things by men who "were not in a good mood that day". It also made me study more about God's role for women.

Her role was not her curse. Her role was specifically given to complement her design. Women are generally more trusting, emotional, and vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with these characteristics. In fact, they are what make women a vital part of the family and social unit, yet with these characteristics comes a greater need for protection.

Here we see two reasons for a woman's role to be different in the church:

    · She was created after the man.

    · She was more vulnerable to the temptation and consequently was deceived.

Men have a public role to fill (i.e. preaching, public prayer, etc.) yet Paul wanted women to understand their unique and valuable role. He wished for women to have a role that was in "like manner," but the 'like manner' was in objective and not in procedure!

As a single woman I have a great responsibility:

    · I must dress in a modest way.

    · I must have the internal qualities of shamefacedness and sobriety.

    · I must not be distracting in my "accessories."

    · I must live a life of good works.

    · I must understand my role of silence and subjection to those in authority.

    · But what about the children?

As yesterday's devotional conveyed, 'childbearing' implies the acts of 'child-rearing'. I find it amazing that the role of a man in the salvation of souls is public, but the role of a woman is equally important and regarded by the Lord.

The People's New Testament Commentary states:

Yet the end of this verse is not ignored:

"Preach always" the salvation of humanity rests in the proclamation of the Word.

"When necessary use words." Do you find it as amazing as I do that if a woman lives a life that is pleasing to the Lord and if she is faithful to her feminine duties, she will preach without using words?

This is where the responsibility lies. Married with children, married without children, or single:

A woman must "continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety"

Married with children, married without children, or single:

    A woman must:

        v be sober

        v love her husband (or taught to love their future husband)

        v love her children (or taught how to love children)

        v be discreet

        v be chaste

        v be a keeper at home (or taught how to run a home - I Tim. 5:14)

        v be good

        v be obedient to her own husband (or taught how to be obedient)

Most importantly a woman (no matter her situation in life) has such an ability to "preach without words" that she is warned that a failure to do so causes her silent sermon to be voided: "that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Personally, Titus 2:4f scares me! Whether I want it or not, my life is an 'open book'. Yet it also gives me great hope as a woman! I can choose from which book I am preaching.

Our role as women is unique .

        Our role as women is defined

                Our role as women shapes the lives of all those we interact with.

Our role as women is a 'silent sermon' .

        and though we may not say a word from the pulpit .

                the world sees our 'silent sermon' and God is given the glory!