Life's experiences as God's qualifications for ministry

As Christians, the Lord places many opportunities in our lives for growth. We are trained by life’s experiences, schools, and formal training in apprenticeships. When we cannot get the training we need for the calling we have in one setting, the Lord puts us in another.


Joseph would one day become second only to Pharoh in his responsibilities in Egypt. The training for this calling was a mixture of servitude to Potipher, and servitude to the ruler of the jail he later resided in. You could look at his unfortunate circumstances as “life-training”, or experience for the leadership role he would later assume under Pharoh’s appointment. Joseph did not come into his new role unprepared, for he had great wisdom gained through his relationship with God. How we look at things in our lives makes the difference between a prepared servant and a slave to bondage, for we can maintain inner freedom, or become embittered by our circumstances.

The Bible has many examples of God’s servants whose life’s experiences enabled them to grow in their knowledge of His ways. These men and women were able to lead and teach others. Today I will focus, not on famous men of our faith, but on women. Women are called to serve God alongside men, and yet there is very little opportunity for them to do so.

Paul lays out the ministry of women in his letter to Titus. The second chapter is an admonition for Titus to instruct older men, older women, younger men, and slaves. However, the instructions to the older women give us insight into their qualifications to be disciplers of younger women. Paul not only asks the older women to teach the younger women, but he views this process of discipling as being similar to Titus’ discipling of younger men (see the word “similar” in Titus 2:6, stating that they are equivalent ministries). The older women are qualified by their life’s experiences to disciple younger women and to teach “what is good” (Titus 2:3).

Women who lead their children in the ways of the Lord not only have experience in teaching, but in leadership. Those who “guide” their household need to learn how to use wisdom, have discernment, be gentle and kind . . . and the list goes on. Speaking of lists, we read about these as “gifts” in the book of Romans (Rom 12:6 – 8). They are qualities listed as prophesying, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership/governing, and showing mercy. We all are to use these gifts “according to the grace given to (us)” (verse 3).

I believe that one of the influences on Paul’s faith and ministry was a couple named Priscilla and Aquila. We learn that Paul called them both his “fellow workers.” (Rom 16:3). Today I’d like to encourage the women to see the valuable deposit of gifts which the Lord has deposited in you through your life’s experiences. God is not through with you yet! And I’d like to encourage the leaders of the churches not to dismiss the older women as if they have used up their value to God and are ready to be put out to pasture. I admonish you in the Lord to place these women into the calling of their individual destiny in the Lord. Amen.