Paul says to the Thessalonian believers, “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers” (1 Thess. 2:10). The one who called himself the foremost of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) was not attempting to describe himself as perfect, but he did recognize an important tool for discipleship: being a role-model.

Titus 2:1–7 is a keystone passage in emphasizing the importance of intergenerational discipleship within the church and highlighting the vital role older generations play in discipling those who are younger:

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be . . . sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise . . . are to teach what is good, and so train the young women . . . Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works.

I give an abridged presentation of the passage to highlight the two-tiered discipleship that the Apostle Paul calls older believers to engage in. First, this is a Word-based discipleship of sound teaching that is faithful, loving, and steadfast. Second, it’s a deeds-based discipleship that models by action what is being taught by words.

How do we devote ourselves to being (or becoming) Titus 2 “older believers” who engage in intergenerational discipleship in both words and deeds—even and especially in matters of sexual sin that can be most hidden and difficult to talk about?

In discipling younger men and women, I suggest four points to consider: embrace a higher calling than the world has to offer, overcome potential fears regarding mentorship, recognize the unique benefits of growing older, and take one practical first step. We’ll address each of these topics by looking at principles the Apostle Paul provides in 1 Thessalonians 2.  

A Worldly View or a Higher Calling? (1 Thessalonians 2:1–4)

There’s a State Farm advertisement where a woman goes to her boss and gives a 15-year retirement notice! She praises the help of her State Farm agent in making this possible and explains how she’s going to start packing up her belongings now, because “15 years will really sneak up on you.” The ad closes with the slogan, “take charge of your retirement!”

This advertisement, especially its closing slogan, presents a worldly view of aging. Take charge—be in control of your aging—and carefully protect your retirement as the time when you get to do whatever you want. This messaging, at its core, is of the same vein as the temptation Satan gave to Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and become lord over your own life (Gen. 3:4–5).

The Apostle Paul’s life had no room for such a self-centered philosophy. He explained how he endured suffering, shame, and conflict in Thessalonica to preach the gospel, because his life’s calling was “not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4).     

Yes, it’s appropriate and wise to plan for retirement (1 Tim. 5:8). But, for the Christian, that plan can never include retiring from gospel ministry or the pursuit of pleasing God. We don’t stop expecting that he will test our hearts with hard things on our way to glory. We are not to structure our aging in such a way as to justify “unburdening” ourselves from these high callings of the Christian faith. Paul’s motivation for lifelong endurance must be ours, too—that such unwavering devotion to the work of Christ, with all the self-sacrifice it may involve, is never done in vain (1 Thess. 1:1).

Don’t Be Afraid of Intergenerational Discipleship (1 Thessalonians 2:5–8)

The Apostle Paul explains how, when he came to Thessalonica, he did not come to engage in flattery, greed, people-pleasing, or coercion (vv. 5–6). These are the very sins young and old Christians both must address to get to the root of many apprehensions they may have regarding intergenerational discipleship.

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