Daily Devotional
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned."
Titus 2:7-8
Notice that when Paul instructs Titus about different groups in the church—older men, older women, young women, young men—he never uses family designations like fathers, mothers, sons, or daughters. Why?
Because the church is designed to fill in the gaps. Not everyone has healthy family relationships. Many don’t have fathers who modeled godliness or mothers who taught wisdom. Some have been abandoned, abused, or orphaned. Others are single without children or elderly without family nearby.
But the church transcends biological family. The church creates new relationships where older believers disciple younger believers, where experienced Christians mentor new believers, where those with resources care for those in need. The church becomes family for those who lack it and enriches the families of those who have it.
This is radically countercultural. In almost every other sphere of life—professional, social, cultural—status is determined by what you bring to the table. Your education, your experience, your wealth, your connections all matter. But in the church, we die to all of that. We fight for humility instead of pride. We seek to serve rather than be served. We value people not for what they offer us but because they bear God’s image.
Paul tells Titus to be the model. Not to just give instructions from a distance, but to show them how it’s done. To be the older man who disciples younger men. To be the example of integrity, dignity, and sound speech. To fill in the gaps himself.
Today's Challenge
Who in your church community needs you to fill in a relational gap? Is there a younger believer who could benefit from your wisdom and experience? An older saint who could pour into your life? Someone without family who needs the church to become family? What specific action could you take this week to bridge a generational or relational gap in your church?
Prayer
Father, thank You for designing the church to be more than just a gathering—to be a family that fills in the gaps of our lives. Help me to see the relational needs around me and to step into them with humility and love. Whether I need to be discipled or to disciple others, give me courage to pursue those relationships. Help our church to reflect Your heart by becoming family to the lonely, mentors to the lost, and examples to the watching world. Make me a gap-filler, not a gap-maker. In Jesus' name, Amen.
