This past weekend I hosted another Titus 2 Retreat in my home. This one was specifically for the volunteers who serve at The Lighthouse Center of Hope (CPC). There was only enough time for three of the five sessions. One of the participants was my pastor’s mother who recently moved here from Kansas. I invited her because, as a retired RN, we believe she will make a wonderful volunteer at The Lighthouse. On Sunday, before adult Bible class, she pulled me aside, saying, “Only three of us were Lutheran at the retreat, but you pressed onward with commentaries from the early church fathers and Lutheran theologians … Law and Gospel were in their proper place. I’m still smiling!”
As volunteers at the Lighthouse Center of Hope, in Iowa Falls, these women are knowledgeable and well-grounded in the faith. However, as one woman noted, she has always been a Christian and believed she knew just about everything!. She admitted she didn’t really want to come—other choices for Friday night/Saturday morning. But, she said, “I learned things this weekend that I’ve never been told … never studied. I didn’t really want to come and give up my time … but I’m so glad I did.” Most agreed they’d been deceived about their true identity. The entire second session, our identity, is my favorite part.
If you would like to have a Titus 2 retreat where you are at, please contact me at lindabartlett@mchsi.com.
Here are a few more quotes from the past weekend:
“So many of my generation and younger don’t recognize a ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ If they do, it’s dependent on their feelings. [This Titus 2] material helps us see that God speaks to us right now—right here, in the midst of real life.” A young wife and abstinence speaker
“I like the way you always bring us back to God’s Word, not your opinion.” Volunteer and ministry leader at The Lighthouse CPC
“There is so much material in the Titus 2 Study Guide. It’s obvious much time has gone into studying what God has to say to women … There is hope in God’s created order, but I’m afraid too many women resist it and [therefore] fail to help men.” Volunteer at The Lighthouse CPC
“I most appreciated the emphasis on our identity. We are guilty of being like Eve and listening to deceptive voices … [but] then we’re confused about our value and worth [or even] how to act as women.” Volunteer at The Lighthouse CPC
“The retreat provided so much background and commentary from the early Christians and historians … it wasn’t just to make us ‘feel good’ but to teach the Biblical worldview [and give] us real foundation and hope. Thank you for that.” Retired RN and new volunteer at The Lighthouse CPC