See Figure 1

Read Titus 2:1-15

1. Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.
2. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
4. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,
5.to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. . . .
6. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.
7. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:1-7

Effective teaching depends on demonstration. We can find out how to do anything by just reading about it, but usually the directions or concepts do not sink in until we have seen the technique or skill demonstrated. The teacher says, “Watch me,” and we learn.

Demonstrations are also useful in Christianity. Like anything else new and different, living the Christian life may be difficult to grasp and understand just by reading the instruction manual. That is why Paul advises Titus to live the Christian life in front of everyone he meets. It is a demonstration on how living for Christ is done. What do people learn about Christ when they watch you?

Paul urged Titus to be a good example to those around him, to let his life be a living demonstration of the truth and doctrine he taught (Titus 2:7). Considering the fact that Titus was a preacher, that was quite a charge—part of his job had nothing to do with talking. As a leader, he needed to show the way, not just point in that direction.

Nothing communicates quite like a demonstration. It’s one thing for a parent to say, “Floss your teeth,” and quite another for that mom or dad to be a flosser. Seeing the living example, children will begin to learn the skill. And it’s one thing for a person to say, “Christ is number one in my life,” and quite another to see that statement lived out in values, choices, and commitments.

Place a great deal of emphasis on how you live, not just on what you stand for. Give attention to your habits, plans, lifestyle choices, and scheduling priorities. Bring these areas of your life under the jurisdiction of Christ so when people hear about your faith, they will have no problem understanding what you mean.