Lesson #5

Train the Young Women to be Chaste (Titus 2:4-5)

by Linda Holcomb

The previous lessons have shown God's wisdom concerning women and their place in the home. In this lesson, we learn that older women are to teach younger women to be chaste.

1. The dictionary defines chaste as pure, virtuous, modest, innocent, and blameless.
   1. God tells us in Proverbs 12:4, "A virtuous woman is __________________ of her husband." A woman gives high honor and completes, enhances, and beautifies her husband through her chaste behavior. She is his ___________________________ (I Corinthians 11:7). Does not the picture of something beautiful and rich come to mind? Isn't it a great blessing to be described in such glorious terms?
   2. In Proverbs 31:10, a virtuous woman is rated above the precious _____________________. Is this not exalting for a chaste woman?
   3. In Proverbs 31:11, we read, "The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no _____________________ .'' Proverbs 31:12 adds, "She does him good, and not, all the days of her life." A chaste wife is like money in her husband's wallet; she brings him inner gain and happiness, not worry, concern, and loss of sleep. The value of stocks, real estate, or the dollar might fall, but a virtuous wife will always be a stable asset to a man.
2. According to Genesis 2:24, God created the husband-wife relationship, which is morally pure. We, as Christian women, have an obligation to God to ensure that His creation remains morally pure. We must not cause marriage to be defiled.
   1. Hebrews 13:4 says, "Let marriage be _________________ among all, and let the marriage bed be ____________________;  for will ________________ judge the immoral and adulterous."
   2. Adultery is defined as the act of sexual intercourse with other than one's lawful mate. The act of adultery (fornication when one is married) is listed as one of the works of ___________________ in Galatians 5:19. I Corinthians 6:9-10 plainly warns that adulterers will not _________________________________. We should not let the world fool us with flowery, poetic words or convince us in sensuous songs that being pure is unnecessary.
   3. If there be any joy or pleasure in sinful indulgence, it is fleeting. In the end, sin brings sorrow and shame to the adulteress and her entire family. This was true in the case of _______________________ and _____________________, recorded in II Samuel 11.While David was at fault for his lust, Bathsheba contributed to his sin and her own by what immodesty?

      What two tragedies resulted from this sin besides their guilt before God?
      II Samuel 11:26
      II Samuel 12:14

      In our society today, women need to be stronger than ever and must know what the Bible teaches. Wisdom and knowledge are required to save oneself from temptations and help one not become the tempter (Matthew 5:27).

3. In I John 2:15-16, we learn not to love the things of the world, which are _______________________, ___________________________, and _____________________. The world encourages us in many ways to give in to the lust of the flesh in this age of permissiveness. lmmorality is encouraged by T.V., movies, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, billboards, songs, etc. Even though these worldly influences surround us, the chastity of a Christian woman shines before men who see her good works and give glory ______________________________ (Matthew 5:16).
4. The Christian woman is the temple of God and the Holy Spirit.
   1. I Corinthians 3:16 speaks of the church as a whole being ______________________. As a part of the church, a Christian woman helps the entire body to be strong or can contribute to spiritual weakness. Modest, chaste, ladylike behavior upbuilds the body and its reputation worldwide. Opposite behavior by one Christian woman can quickly destroy the church and its influence on society.
   2. The person of the Christian woman is also the temple of the ___________________________ (Corinthians 6:19). As I Corinthians 7:4 teaches that the body of the wife is under the control of her husband (and the reverse also), so I Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches that the Christian woman's body belongs to God and Christ. She has been ___________________ with a price to ___________________________ God in her body.

      To do this, she needs to be modest in every way. Such modesty leads her to be moderate, retiring, proper, and seemly. This will include the way she dresses (I Timothy 2:9), speaks (Matthew 5:34b-37; Colossians 4:6), acts (I Samuel 2:3), and thinks (Proverbs 23:7; Romans 8:7; Colossians 3:2).

   3. I Corinthians 6:13-17. If a Christian man joined to a prostitute defiles Christ, so to speak, what about an unchaste Christian woman?
   4. I Corinthians 6:18. Immoral behavior is sin against God, Christ, and my own __________________ . What is the fate of the immoral? (I Corinthians 6:9-11)
   5. I Corinthians 6:11. Can the immoral be forgiven? How?
   6. Chaste behavior will bring many blessings. The virtuous woman will have the love and trust of her husband, the respect of her children, contentment within herself, and the knowledge that she is a fit temple and dwelling for the Lord and His Spirit. Also, if her husband is not a Christian, he may be won without a word by her and behavior(I Peter 3:1-2).

In closing, let us read Proverbs 2:1, 10-12.

"If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you ... wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you; understanding will guard you; delivering you from the way of evil."

Additional Questions for Thought

1. What attribute of God is shown in His giving women such an honored place in the home and family?
2. What is the meaning of chaste?
3. What are some of the results of sinful indulgences?
4. List some avenues through which the world entices us to be immoral.
5. What is modest dress?
   Modest  speech?
   What is included in modest actions?
   How do your thoughts influence your actions?
6. What are some of the blessings chaste behavior brings?