But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

What Is Sound Doctrine?

When someone is considered to be of sound mind, they must have the mental capacity to understand and make rational decisions. A well-known motto in Latin is “A sound mind in a sound body,” representing the idea that a person who is both intellectually and physically active will be at the peak of good health. In Christianity, sound doctrine is often characterized by establishing doctrinal guidelines consistent with teaching in the Bible. Sound doctrine is the foundational teachings used to guide what is believed and practiced. Paul uses the idea of sound doctrine in a similar but contrasting idea of what is often thought of as important sound doctrine. The encouragement to Titus is to teach sound doctrine in the relationship of older men and women to younger men and women.

Doctrinal precepts are important to establish regarding salvation, worship, and daily living. Sound doctrine is also founded in the relationship found in the home, community, and church. Paul writes to Titus to exhort him to teach what accords with sound doctrine and that teaching is how the older men and women should conduct themselves as examples of godliness and holiness. In turn, older men and women should teach the younger generation the principles of righteousness and propriety. Sound doctrine is the interpersonal relationships developed between generations.

Older men are to be examples of the wholesome teachings of the Lord by showing sobriety, reverence, sensibility, grounded faith, examples of love, and being steadfast in their hope. Their influence over young men is to teach them to be sober-minded and have a pattern of good works. Young men must be grounded in the doctrines of Christ to show integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. They learn this from older men. Younger men must respect the older generation and seek opportunities to learn from them. This is sound doctrine in the church of the Lord.

Likewise, older women are godly examples of reverent behavior, not slanderers, showing self-control and teaching good things. The influence of older women on younger women is profound. They have enjoined their spiritual obligations to teach, instruct, and guide the younger women in the home. Older women are to admonish the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their own husbands. These principles of a godly home are taught best when shown through the life of older women living by the same rule.

Older men and women cannot retire from their service in the kingdom of God. As they grow older, they become teachers of the younger generation. That is the pattern of sound doctrine. A church established on sound doctrine encourages and molds the generational span between one generation and the other. It is also important for the younger generation to respect and honor the words of the older. Youth have the experience of non-experience that sometimes leads young men and women to ignore the advice of older men and women. God wants the generations to help one another grow in Christ. A strong and vibrant church is filled with those who seek sound doctrine in the relationships of older and younger.