NAN CYD E M O S S

WO L G E M U T H

LIVING
JON
ITS
The beauty
DEL
EVA
NGELIO
 To my beloved
husband, pastor, friend
head and earthly king,
my husband

And my Beloved
Savior, Pastor, Friend,
Head and Eternal King,
my husband

My beloved is mine, and I am hers.

Under the shadow of the desired one, I sat,
and its fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the house of the banquet,
and his banner over me was love.
Song of Songs
She did it again! In EnAdornadas, Nancy offers us another valuable resource to help us.
to be like the women of Titus 2. As I was reading this book, I felt as if I were sitting
in Nancy's kitchen and we enjoyed a cup of tea and a conversation about Titus 2.
She opens her heart to us. She encourages and empowers us to bear witness to the gospel.
from our lives to other women. It is a beautiful book.
SUSANHUNT, author of By Design: The Unique Calling of God for Women

I have seen it firsthand and have personally benefited from how Nancy lives.
this message. I am very grateful for her as a sister in Christ, a mentor
from a distance and a spiritual mother for a large number of women through Woman
True/Revive our hearts!
LAURENCHANDLERpastor's wife, praise leader, writer

This is a wonderful book, written by someone who magnificently lives their truths.
Each chapter is filled with wisdom and faithful instructions to help you grow - of
woman to woman—and become someone whose life adorns the beauty of the gospel. What a
tremendous treasure for this generation!
MARYA. KASSIAN, speaker, author of Wise Girls in a Savage World

Adorned is a beautiful call to live Titus 2: from one life to another, from woman to woman,
from one generation to another. We need this book. Nancy conveys with wisdom and co-
I acknowledge the importance of female discipleship in the local church. Your words lead you
will inspire to faithfully take the staff of truth and pass it on to others.
MELISSAKRUGERauthor of Walk with God during your motherhood

I am very, very excited for you to read this book! Adorned is magnificently ...
written from beginning to end, and Nancy reminds us reflectively how much we need each other
women to each other. This book blessed my heart and I know it will bless yours too.
JENNIFER ROTH SCHILD, author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark and founder of activi-
Fresh Grounded Faith data

The practical intuition, the timeless wisdom, and the warm fervor of Nancy sounded like
bells in my spirit as I read this book. Like an alarm that woke me up
and a recurring melody that inspired me to understand again that my femininity
it beautifies and can blossom in a community of women who follow the Lord together
day by day.
KRISTYN GETTY, hymn songwriter and mother of three daughters

Nancy is one of the women that God has used to help me be a better reflection of Him.
same. His book Adornadas compiles about a thousand conversations in a café about life,
love and compassion in a simple and fascinating book. Women of any stage of life
They need to read it, re-read it, and share it with other women in their circle of influence.
ERINDAV IS, leader of the women's ministry, a wife and mother who would be adrift without
the encouragement and support of her sisters in Christ.
This work is truly a legacy from Nancy. Through what seems to be a conversation-
personal action leads women back to Greek and Roman culture so that
Titus 2 urges us to rise today to adorn the Bride of Christ. This book
will influence the church and the personal lives of women like very few books have done.
DANNAHGRESH, author of bestsellers such as And the Bride Wore White

Dressed is a presentation of Titus 2 that exalts Christ, renews the mind and trans-
it forms life, which will help young and older women to accept their calling to learn
of one another for the glory of Christ, our Savior.
JACKIE HILL PERRY, writer, speaker, artist

The teaching, wisdom, and grace of Nancy will not only challenge you to pray for a woman to
the one you can call spiritual mother, but you will also wish to be a spiritual mother
for other women... for the good of the church and the glory of God.
TRILLIANEWBELL, author of Enjoy, Fear and Faith and United

Adorned more than a book that presents the virtues of the woman of Titus 2. You will be inspired-
ready to be biblically beautiful, adorned in the sound doctrine of God and prepared
for the work of the kingdom of God regardless of the stage of life you are in.
KARENLORITTS , speaker and teacher

Nancy's new book is a call for all Christian women —young and
older adults - to live the mandate of Titus 2 of discipleship from one life to another. More than
never, we need women to show us how to live the gospel in our lives
daily. We need the elderly!
CHRISTINA FOX, licensed counselor, speaker, author of A Heart Set Free:
A Journey to Hope through the Psalms of Lament

Magnificently written in poetic prose, this is the most important work of Nancy.
so far! Your fresh and pleasant viewpoint on the mandate of Titus 2 is
deep and, at the same time, practical. You will feel that the Holy Spirit calls you to live the life that
God has designed for you and to which He has called you.
REBECCALUTZER, retired registered nurse and wife of Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor
emeritus of Moody Church

In a world where in-person relationships are becoming the exception in

According to the standard, Adornadas calls the women of the church to return to the vital and joyful work.
to cultivate real-life relationships centered on the gospel of Jesus. I am grateful.
for Nancy's work in developing a fundamental, faithful, and practical resource on Titus 2.
AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS head of content at She Reads Truth, author of Open
Your Bible

With the wisdom accumulated over many years in the service of the king's daughters, Nancy
It takes us to the Scriptures to explain how we can together reflect His beauty. I pray.
so many women can read this important book.
Kathy MacDonaldwife of the senior pastor and co-founder of Harvest Bible Chapel
of our God and Savior.
Titus 2:10
dor
...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine.
rnadas
Living together the beauty
of the gospel

NANCYDEMOSS
WOLGEMUTH
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 Content
1 | page 11
An adorned woman who adorns
Beauty secrets of Tito 2
...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

PARTONE

A woman under God

2 | page 31
The doctrine, you and Tito 2
The 'what' and the 'now what'
But you speak what is in accordance with sound doctrine.

3 | page 51
Don't lose hope in this modeling career.
Aging beautifully, at any age
Let the elders be... The elder women likewise...

4 | page 69
Grow and disciple others
Teaching and learning: From one life to another
Masters of good; who teach young women

5 | page 91
A revival of reverence
Living in sacred service
reverent in their bearing
 PARTTWO

A woman under control

6 | page 109
Don't tell me
Refraining from slander
no slanderers

7 | page 131
In freedom
Experiencing freedom from slavery
no slaves of wine

8 | page 157
A 'sophron' mental state
Developing prudence
to be prudent

9 | page 181
Passionate about purity
Seeking purity in an impure world
castes

PARTTHREE

A woman under her roof

10 | page 203
A taste of heaven
Cultivating devotion for the home
careful with their house
 11 | page 229
I need help to love that man.
Training our hearts for the relationship
to love their husbands

12 | page 255
An unexpected blessing
Discovering the strength and beauty of restraint
subject to their husbands

13 | page 281
Life givers in training
Accepting the gift of motherhood
"To love... his children"

14 | page 303
Instruments of grace
Showing a deeper kind of kindness
good

Epilogue | page 325

A woman overflowing with joy
Uniting everything... beautifully
...so that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Notes | page 339

A sincere thank you | page 347

 But you speak what is in accordance with sound doctrine.

That the elders be sober, serious, prudent,

healthy in faith, in love, in patience.

The older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior;

not slanderers, not slaves of wine, masters of good;

that they teach young women to love

to their husbands and to their children,

to be prudent, chaste, careful of their home, good, submissive

to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

...so that they may adorn the doctrine in everything

of our God and Savior.

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded; in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back.
 CHAPTER 1

A adorned woman
and that adorns
Beauty secrets of Tito 2

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory; for

the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.

has prepared. And she has been granted that she

fine linen view, clean and sparkling; because
The fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
REVELATION 19:7-8

I hadn't slept well that night, but that didn't stop me from

I knew that day - Saturday, November 14, 2015 - would be

a day I would never forget. At fifty-seven years of age, I was at
the point of becoming a wife for the first time. That day I would say "I accept"
before God and a few hundred witnesses, and I would become the
Mrs. Wolgemuth. It was a day that I had anticipated with enthusiasm.
and for the one who had prepared me diligently for months.
The alarm on my phone woke me up at 5:15 in the morning. A
An hour later, a sweet young friend and her husband knocked on the door of
my hotel room. In the midst of the rising stillness of dawn,
we drove for twenty minutes through the west side of the suburbs
from Chicago and finally we parked in an empty parking lot of a
Wheaton Church, Illinois.
11
 Adorned

Inside the church, we were guided to a sparsely furnished room.

blade where a transformation would take place in a few hours. I put myself
a gown and I sat down, while first a hair stylist and then a
makeup artist quietly got to work. We had
I did several tests, so they already knew what to do.
My wedding dress, bought months before, meticulously
fixed and carefully steam cleaned by a friend the no-
the previous one, hung to one side, ready for her to wear. An elegant
bracelet and earrings of "diamond" lay on the table next to some re-
shiny silver shoes, which another friend had taken to the store of
shoes just opened so they could be widened. (They were completely
new ones and they were killing me!). Everything was ready to complete the
set.
Why was I trying so hard? Why was I getting ready?
more than other times in my life? Why had I been meticulous in a
endless details that occupied my life for so many months? Why
I was recruited and gratefully accepted the help of so many friends who had it.
many other important things to do?
I will tell you why. All the time, the thought, the money, and the
the effort dedicated to that one day had one sole purpose. I wanted
I was adorned: beautiful, ready for my boyfriend. And I wanted to adorn my fu-
your husband with my dedication and attention. I wanted him to be honorable and
admired. I wanted our guests to see how much I loved this
man and what a great gift he was to me.
We had decided to take our photos before the ceremony of
wedding. So without delay at 9:30, with my train dress and white shawl
made of synthetic leather, I carefully got into a car that would take me to a
close outdoor place for our photo session.
Robert was already at the place, with his back to me. At that very moment...
he fell, turned around to give his first look at the adorned bride, who
I had only been able to imagine in my mind until that moment. His reaction
—the look in their eyes, their involuntary gesture of astonishment— was inesti-
Mable for me. Made all the effort worth it.

12
 A decorated woman who decorates

We walked about fifteen meters towards each other, struggling.

against the abrupt cold of late autumn, our hearts entered into
warm one next to the other. Robert hugged me, and I fell into his arms.
I have never felt more beautiful!

From woman to woman

Back in the bride's room, moments before the ceremony.
it began, while Robert and I and some others attended to details of
Breaking news, someone came in to notify me that one of our guests
He had asked to pray with me before the wedding.
Vonette Bright, a dear lifelong friend, was like a
second mother to me. An eighty-nine-year-old widow
for quite a while, I had been battling leukemia and here-
he did not want to find out that he only had a few months left to live. But
I had eagerly awaited to be at my wedding, even if it were the last thing.
What he did, and he succeeded. (It happened that he would go with the Lord only six
weeks later)
Iwasanxoiusotsehstibeolvedeinrfds,owenievtdiheort
join us for a few moments. Vonette's caregiver pushed
gently her wheelchair inside the room. Elegantly
dressed in a bright red, Vonette turned her radiant face towards no-
We surrounded his wheelchair in a circle while the cameras
flashes were firing and the video was rolling and this venerable woman of God was telling us

I guided in prayer to bless our marriage.

When she finished praying, Vonette turned to me and whispered: 'I was hoping
to talk to you alone.” In response, I quickly asked everyone
that they would leave the room. Then she looked at me and spoke to me tenderly,
but frankly: "Heaven, I am a mother... and I would like to know: is there
Is there something you would like to ask a mother before getting married?
No camera recorded the sweet exchange that took place.
in the following moments, but that scene and our conversation
they will remain forever engraved in my heart.
A woman in the winter of her life was giving encouragement and advice.

13
 Adorned

to a woman who was at an earlier stage of her life, anxious

to harvest everything he could.
An experienced wife - who had enjoyed a marriage
full of life and love for fifty-four years—was teaching
to a novice on how to give importance to Christ in her own marriage.
Two women, an elderly woman and a younger one, were living the
beauty of the gospel... together.
From woman to woman.
This image brings to mind another pair of women. I imagine.
to the elderly Elizabeth who, after decades of infertility and longing
not granted, I expected a child in a supernatural way... and I opened him
heart and her home to Mary of Nazareth... to impart faith and wisdom
to the adolescent virgin, in whose womb a baby was miraculously growing
that one day He would be our Savior.
Very little is recorded of his conversation, but what has been preserved...
I go for us speaks of the beauty of the gospel manifested in the
life of women who walked together. Women
whose lives were adorned by the presence of Christ and that adorns
They banned the gospel and made it credible for the next generation through
of their humble and joyful obedience.
After Vonette conveyed to me what was in her heart,
he took my hands in his and once again prayed and praised our
Father for the wedding that was about to be celebrated and implored His blessing.
tion and favor regarding the marriage that was to be formed. One could almost
listen to the sky whisper to me.
That small and simple messy room, in the middle of uten-
hair and makeup products, a variety of clothing items, jewelry and
more things were transformed by uniting our hearts through the
Spirit of God in a place of beauty, a temple adorned by and for
the living Christ.

The beauty of Christ

While this Elisabet of modern times and I were leaving that place.

14
 A decorated woman who adorns

Saint, we could hear the rhythm of the prelude flowing from the sanctuary.
close. Majestic.
Since we didn't want to miss a single moment of the celebration
Robert and I went to a separate room, next to the
gallery, from where we could see and hear the prelude and the first
part of the worship service until it was time when co-
the wedding march.
The sanctuary with its colonial design was a visual feast.
The bright and shining organ pipes covered the wall of the antealtar.
Golden banners proclaimed: 'Worthy is the Lamb' and 'To Him the glo-
numerous arrangements of red roses and callas adorned the platform.
alongside bouquets of roses and ribbons at the end of the benches. Candles in
elegant golden and silver pedestals. Very fine.
And at the center of it all, prominently displayed over the silver -
forms a rustic cross three and a half meters high that made up the entire stage
even more impressive.
Because... wasn't it at Calvary where our Savior bore...
He Himself the rags of our sin and our shame and us
did He adorn us by exchanging our rags for His righteousness? Is not the cross
the only source of all eternal beauty that we long to experience
to offer to other souls who lack love and beauty?
Jesus, your blood and righteousness
1
my beauty is, my glorious dress.

At the beginning of the ceremony, ten little girls, whose families...

I have known and loved them for years, they walked towards the altar ringing
small bells. They wore charming dresses —some red, others
whites—with stockings and elegant shoes, and their hair styled with
adorable curls.
A photo of the ten girls around the bride, all in the esca-
The altar in front of the church filled my eyes with tears the first time.
that I saw. In these precious girls beautifully dressed, I saw ten young women.
women of God in training.

15
 Embellished

I love the idea of inspiring those girls with a perspective

of what it means to be a girlfriend who has experienced love and the
grace of Christ and that radiates His beauty to others. I pray that they grow and
may their hearts be adorned with grace and may their lives adorn the
Gospel of Christ for his generation.
Adorned girls. Adorned guests. An adorned sanctuary. A
adorned bride.
The intention of it all was to fulfill the vision that Robert and I had.
for our wedding since the day we announced our engagement:
specifically, to display the beauty of Christ.
Oh, as the apostle Paul expressed it in the second chapter of the book
of Tito, to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" (v. 10).

Love and beauty

Women like beauty. We enjoy the process of embellishing ourselves.
and decorate our environment.
Buy clothes, makeup, or jewelry that help us look our best.
possible.
Choose paint and ornaments that make our home a...
a warmer, more comfortable, or contemporary environment.

Carefully season the food we put on the table.

Dress our little ones in nice outfits.
Add those special touches that make our atmosphere.
our relationships or our activities a little more attractive, but-
sound and fun.
There is something about orchestrating and creating beauty that is its-
mindfully satisfying.
To feel beautiful... that is a deep desire of the heart of
many women, who have originated and started countless industries.
I never considered myself particularly beautiful in the physical sense.
silly. It's not that I think I'm unattractive or that there's something wrong with the
physical beauty. It's just that I haven't focused much on it. Aware
from the fleeting and deceptive nature of external beauty, I have tried to

16
 A woman adorned and who adorns

to focus on cultivating the type of beauty that cannot be photographed

(or edited in Photoshop): the beauty of character and heart.
However, I can still remember how my heart raced
the first time Robert told me that I was beautiful.
I grew up in a loving home with a father who adored me. I enjoyed
I have the blessing of having several good and kind men in my life.
If my memory serves me right, prior to that moment, I cannot remember.
I have heard a man say to me: "You are beautiful."
Robert kept telling me that I was beautiful. It seemed that he was speaking in
Seriously. Gradually, I began to believe that he really saw me that way;
even when I had just exercised at the gym or on the days when
I hadn't had time to put on makeup or fix my hair. While
our procession was progressing, I said to a friend: "I think there is nothing that
I can do to make him love me less or think I am less beautiful.
But I also noticed that something even more significant was happening.
As the persistent and tender love of this man took root in me
heart, its effect on me was tender and beautifying. In fact, for
my amazement, people started to comment
about my new 'glow'. Again and again Our call
as
Once, on the day of my wedding, my friends gave me
They said: 'You are incredibly beautiful.'
His followers are to do
that His love and His
I don't say this to draw attention.
in myself, but to make it clear that, truth be visible and
when the love of another adorns us, of- credible —and beautiful—
we develop greater capacity to reflect the to the skeptics who
love and beauty to others. they are watching us.
You see, God has placed us here in
the earth as ambassadors of the gospel of Christ. And our calling
like His followers is to make His love and His truth visible and
credible —and beautiful— to the skeptics who observe us.
Because they see it in us. Because they see how we transform.
His love makes us beautiful. It adorns us.
Andh,troughus,HeadornsHsigospe.l

17
 Adorned

Because we need each other.

It's a wonderful image, isn't it?
But, sadly - as you and I well know - it doesn't always work out.
he/she acts that way.
We can say that we love Jesus, but for some reason people
Not everyone sees their beauty reflected in our attitudes and actions.
They do not always see in us the transformative power of His love.
Instead, all too often, they see women so overwhelmed,
worried, trivial or loveless like the women of the world. If we are
sincere, this is often how we see ourselves.
But we long to be much better. We truly want our
life reflects the gospel in the best way, even when we are:

extremely busy with work and family life, with little

time for our personal prayer and Bible reading
worried and frustrated about a son who is distancing himself from God
suffering the loneliness of a loveless marriage with a husband
that is distant
immersed in a superficial routine where we get up, pre-
we stop for coffee, watch television, and do the crossword puzzle of the
tomorrow
or maybe we are trapped in one of those tedious and depressing
seasons of life when the motivation to move forward is
almost impossible to gather

But how do we do it better? That's the question, right?

How to adorn the gospel and let it adorn us
in the midst of our earthly and agonizing reality?
With help.
A lot of help!
The good news is that this task of allowing ourselves to be adorned by the evanescent...

and improving the way others perceive us is not something that

we must do for ourselves. In His grace, God has given us
His Holy Spirit and His Church to help us fulfill what He has
18
 A adorned woman and who adorns

ordered. And to women, God has given us a community of

other believing women as our inspiration and support.
The weekend of our wedding, an army of female friends,
young people and other older ones joined together to give me personal and practical support

in every imaginable way. The dear friend who took me to

to get my nails done (and paid the bill in secret). The young woman who was accommodating me

I went to the church for my makeup routine. Loving friends who

they baked and decorated cupcakes, and others who handled the list of
guests and attended to the administrative details of four different ones
activities. The sweet women who quickly sneaked away from the
reception to decorate our hotel room with an abundance
of flowers, candles, and delicious snacks.
The love and combined effort of these special women (along with
many kind and helpful men resulted in an un- day
descriptively wonderful. I couldn't have achieved it without the encouragement.
and the help they gave me. And, in a very similar way, I couldn't
moving forward in life without walking in community with women who
They unite to support and beautify each other in Christ.
I need elderly women like my friend Vonette, who prayed for me since
when I was a girl, he saw me become a woman, he spoke to me fre-
frequently with wisdom, vision, and faith, and then, as the end approaches
his life, resisted the rigors of a
travel to accompany me and trans- The biblical model of elderly women
I am sending you my love and wisdom. who live the gospel and teach
day of my wedding.
to young women to do
I also need young women.
you come into my life, even girls
the same is vital for
as small as those sweet ones may we all grow healthy.
these future women who participate
they help me not to become intolerant and despicable,
and they transmit to me much joy and hope.
And I need women from my own stage of life, like the little one.
group of 'sisters' of which I am a part, with whom we communicate

19
 Adorned

periodically by phone or we meet in person, to give each other

encouragement, holding each other accountable, and praying for one another. I cherish the company and

the influence of these women in my life.

Older women, younger women, women of the same age;
we all need each other if we want to adorn the gospel and
to show their beauty in our life. And that reality takes us back to
Titus 2 and the central theme of this book. Because this important passage gives us
provides a basic manual on how and why all of this works. We
It presents an image of generational wisdom flowing into hearts.
inexperienced, from where it can return in a continuous care process
and pious advice.
From woman to woman.
Day after day.
From one life to another.
This is the good and marvelous plan of God. The biblical model of
elderly women who live the gospel and teach young women to do so
same, of young women who recognize the value of the elderly in their
lives —of women who together adorn the gospel— is vital for what
we all grow healthy. Living as women of Titus 2 allows us to fulfill
the purpose for which we were created. Help our families and church-
to flourish and for the beauty of the gospel to shine in this world.

Together in the race

Many times we have heard the comparison of life to a mara-
tone, and perseverance as the distinctive characteristic. And, certainly, the
the career of life demands perseverance along the way.
But life is much more than persevering on the path, pressing on.
the teeth and endure. Furthermore, we are destined to grow, prosper and
celebrate. We must enjoy the beauty; the stunning beauty and
enriching that exalts God.
We are destined to experience strength and encouragement that
they flow as we go through life together, helping us to live adorned by the
gospel and, at the same time, adorning the gospel in the sight of the world.

20
 A woman adorned and who adorns

So I like to imagine that we are Christian women, who share

they are from a different race. We are not just competitors moving forward
with difficulty reaching a distant goal. Instead, we are a
team. We run together.
Think of this like a relay race, where we pass the
stick one to the other, each participates in the process as we give and
we receive and move towards our destination. It is teamwork, not
only personal performance matters.
Or think of this as one of those charity races where everyone
we move forward as a group, we help each other, we join forces
for a cause we love. We know that our individual efforts
they tell, but it doesn't entirely depend on us to achieve it and, the race
Indeed, not only reaching the goal has meaning.
Imagine a vast field of athletes —some older, others younger,
some more mature, others less experienced— and you and me together
to them. We all need our own personal relationship with God and
His Word, of course, but we do not run alone. God intends that
our lives intersect with
those of others, to take us to each When old women and women
one forward under the strong, victorious- young people support each other
flowing and beautiful banner of Christ.
to live the transforming love
Now, if all of this pa-
it has a somewhat philosophical and esoteric tone, of God, the whole body of
I assure you that the implications Christ becomes more beautiful.
practices will soon be evident. And
they are enormous, because this marathon, this relay race, this race
for a reason it goes right through the living room of your house. The cane passes
directly through your kitchen amidst conversations and meetings
that seem insignificant.
This is for you and for me... real women who live a life
real daily.
And when it works, believe me it works. When the old women say-
In investing his life in the lives of young women, the blessing is felt.

21
 Adorned

in entire families and churches. When young mothers and single women
they expand their intimate groups to include women who have already run
a few more turns and they've lived to tell about it, both sides of
the relationships strengthen and grow. When elderly and young women
they support each other to live the transforming love of God, all the
the body of Christ —the bride of Christ— becomes more beautiful.
So if you are an old woman (and willing to admit it... like me), the
the message of this book is for you.
And if you are a young woman (as I still am for some), the
the message of this book is also for you. It is for all of us, because
Each of us is an old woman to some and a young woman to others.
for others. And each one of us, in different ways and in different
stages of life, it can be on both sides, both in giving and
in receiving in this process from one life to another.

Where to start
The key to this powerful pattern can be seen in a single paragraph from
Titus 2. And yet, the rich, practical, and saturated knowledge of the evan-
gelio, which is found in Titus 2:3-5, is sufficient to nourish us and
help us grow throughout life.
These words were originally written by the hand of the apostle.
Pablo for a young pastor named Tito, who was struggling at the forefront of a
church on the island of Crete. The Roman Empire, which governed Crete, co-
was going to be under the tyrannical reign of the ruthless emperor, Nero.
Just imagine how Nerón's maniacal threats would feel inside.
of the beginner churches of those days, especially when their joy-
The government officially prohibited Christianity throughout the empire.
Do you think it's difficult to be a Christian these days? Try to see yourself as
a species in extinction. Try to think that, if this young person...
The revolutionary lie must survive, plans must be drawn both for
to propagate in order to deepen its influence. It cannot be just
a religious order or a theological system; the gospel has to em-
to browse and penetrate both the heart and the life of people and families,

22
 A woman adorned and who adorns

that no emperor, no persecution, no injury can

be capable of shaking the Church of Christ from its foundations. None
amount of pressure, fear or fatigue may dilute the Church to such an extent that
that it loses its light: its distinctiveness, its vitality, and its influence in the world.
These were some concerns from Paul's letter to Titus. The
Christians were asking:

How should Christians think and act in moments like

these?
How can we avoid being deceived by false doctrines and false teachers?
masters?
How can we transmit our faith to the next generation?
instead of watching it go extinct?
How can the Church not only survive but also thrive?
in a world that is hostile to our faith?
How can we effectively fulfill our mission to reach
to a corrupt world with the beauty of the gospel of Christ?

D
ev.oaenslurtno?lT
adersim
lfihiolensqtiarutes
That's why we still need the book of Titus today.
Perhaps we do not live in Nero's Rome, but we live in a cul-
decadent and deceptive tour that threatens the Church of Christ with its
charms, as well as with their accusations and attacks. We need you to
help us reflect the gospel in our lives in such a way
May others see in us the transforming power of Christ and be
drawn to know him and follow him. And (dare we say it?) we need
that they help us keep His gospel so appealing to us, that
Those of us who say we believe in Him, truly trust in Him, obey Him.
and let us experience the power, peace, and joy that He promises, even
while we live as pilgrims on this earth.
We all need to know how to embellish the teaching of the gospel.
from Christ in our way of living, and we need to help each other
the others to do the same. And that is exactly what Titus 2 establishes.
With your concise summary of the qualities of character that delight the

23
 Adorned

heart of God and attract the heart of those around us, this passage
offers us a timeless curriculum to pass from generation to generation
It allows older women to know what is most important.
They must teach others and the younger ones what they should aspire to be.
Years ago, when I began to prepare to teach about
this subject, I have read this short book of the Bible countless times; I meditated on
I memorized him, reflected on each word and let my spirit
I would embed him.
I hope you do the same. Read it over and over again; first the
three complete chapters, to give you the general overview, and then
concentrate on chapter 2, with special emphasis on verses three to
five. Dive into the text and its meaning, because this is a passage
that you and I must understand. The more we let it define us
lives and relationships, Christ will be more beautiful for us and will shine brighter
the beauty of His gospel to others through us.

Life, as it should be
Several years ago, I received an unforgettable email from a young woman from
thirty-something years, a single mother whom I had known since
that she was very young. The reason for the message simply said: "Happy
Mother's Day!”. Intrigued, I opened it and started to read.
Her note awoke memories that, although blurry in my mind, this-
they are still fresh in yours. He referred to some activities that I
I had planned for her and several of her high school friends and some others.
brief sporadic conversations we had during his years of
growth; nothing particularly significant to me. But God had
used those periodic conversations as a means of grace and encouragement
durable in your life.
Your final paragraph deeply moved me.

Even if you don’t have biological children here on earth, your ma-
spiritual eternity and your influence are one of the greatest
blessings of my life. Thank you for being a brilliant
example of the likeness of Christ. Happy Mother's Day!
24
 A adorned woman who adorns

The note was signed this way: "One of your many daughters"
spirituals.
It could not have been better.
IauseryouhatIamnonthsagi'exameplyotm
fisaorfli
"Christ" as I would long to be. But I thank God for how He uses our
life and our example —however imperfect they may be— to achieve His
purposes here on earth.
My response to my young friend captures the essence of this book, thus
as well as my wish that whatever stage you are in life
we can start this journey together:

I was almost the age you are now when it happened.

part of what you describe. At that time I had no idea
that those simple things could influence life of
girls like you. I just wanted to give you love and encouragement.
And God, in His grace, made those seeds take root
and they would produce a sweet fruit.

Now God has given you a precious daughter whom He dis-

and, without a doubt, has placed others in your sphere of in-
I pray that your life may be a fragrance of Christ
for them and that one day you have the joy of receiving a note
may it bless you as much as your note has blessed me.
With love,
Nancy.

And thus the race continues. Each of us supports others and the
encourages to move forward. A generation that passes the baton to the si-
following, which preserves and inspires piety and the testimony of the gospel. And,
In the process, the beauty of Christ shines and His kingdom advances in this world.
This is a joy that you can experience. It's not about having
a great platform or an official teaching role (although God can
to entrust you with one or both things). More than that, it is about living the
life for which He has created you and has called you, right there where you
you find.
25
 Adorned

Elderly women who exemplify holiness, obedience, and love, and in-
have your life intentionally in the lives of young women.
Young women who seek and receive with humility and gratitude the
blessings destined for them from experienced women, only
to pass that treasure to others.
Women of all ages, who are more beautiful as the
the gospel of Christ adorns our lives.
We adorn the gospel with our way of living.
And we do everything together, step by step... as Titus 2 teaches.

Personal reflection
Elderly women
1. Can you think of two or three young women whom
Could you share your life and experience, like Vonette?
Did Bright do it with me? Who are they? How could you?
get closer to them?
The elders are called to pass the baton to the women
young people. What have you learned or experienced that you like
Would it pass to the next generation?

Young women
1. Do you feel inspired by the note I received from my young one?
friend, sending a note similar to a spiritual mother
of your life? If so, what specific things can you
express gratitude to him/her?

26
 A woman adorned and who adorns

2. Name an elder who conveys wisdom, vision, and

faith as Vonette Bright did with me. If currently not
If you have no one like that, ask the Lord to show you a woman.
to which you can approach to receive from her.

To get the maximum benefit from this book, invite a group of mu-
youths and adults—to read it together. You will find a guide to
beat in a group and many complementary resources at adornedbook.com
Connect there with other women to be able to fulfill the lla-
Titus 2 window in your life and your relationships.

27
 PART1

A woman
under God
 But you speak what is of
agreement with sound doctrine.

Let the elders be sober, serious, prudent,

healthy in faith, in love, in patience.

The elderly women should likewise be reverent in their behavior;

no slanderers, no slaves of wine, masters of good;

that they teach young women to love

to their husbands and their children,

to be prudent, chaste, careful of their home, good, submissive

to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine

of God our Savior.

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded. And in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back.