Spiritual Mothering (Redesign): The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women

by Susan Hunt

Many churches lack a crucial element central to the flourishing of older women mentoring younger women. Using Titus 2 as a guide, seasoned author Susan Hunt casts a biblical vision of what the church can be when women invest in vibrant relationships with one another. Featuring inspiring stories from the Bible and from women today who have faithfully embraced Scripture’s command, this book offers readers an abundance of practical insights, ministry-tested how-to’s, and personal encouragement. Now featuring a new cover, this classic book will inspire a new generation of women to seek out the blessing of godly relationships that will encourage and equip them to live for God’s glory.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/5/2024 * 4.5 stars (rounded up)

(Re-read; first read around 1998 or '99 with a group of women at the PCA Church we attended.) 

Definitely my favorite book on becoming Titus 2 women mentoring other women. 

Some favorite quotes: 

- "Servitude simplifies life. Servitude is not easy. Obedience is not a one-time decision. Obedience is a lifetime discipline. But it does bring a simplicity to life because it settles the issue of who is in control. It enables us to decode the confusing events in our lives. When a woman is absorbed with God’s glory, she will interpret her life according to his truth." 

- "A well-defined system of doctrine protects us from false teaching. It also helps us maintain balance in the application of faith into life. Sound doctrine keeps us on track and helps us avoid rigid legalism and loose liberalism. Sound doctrine will produce the stability that is essential for spiritual mothering."  

- "Older women are to encourage and equip younger women to live for God’s glory. It does not seem to me that this is optional. Titus was not told to teach those women who were interested in signing up for the course. The command seems to be inclusive. The older women in the congregation were to be taught how to live in accordance with sound doctrine so that they could train the younger women—no exceptions." 

- "Submission has nothing to do with equality. Men and women are equal, but we have been assigned different roles. Neither role is superior. The Trinity models this concept. The Persons in the Godhead are equal in power and in substance, but each has a different function."

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay, I think. I appreciated the encouragement to love and care well for other women, as well as the general framework of complementarianism. Some of the Biblical commentary seemed to have much more eisegesis than exegesis….sure, *maybe* that’s what that person was thinking, but also maybe not. I don’t think the hypothesizing was necessary or helpful to any of the very good points made in the book which could have been directly supported by other passages. There was just one line which I found to be actually wrong and harmful: something to the effect of how it’s a wife’s job to make her husband happy, not to make him holy. Obviously it’s not a wife’s job to make her husband holy, but neither is it her job to make him happy; that is a heavy burden that no wife should carry and a path to abuse. We’re called to love, support, serve, care for one another…we can’t ensure the happiness of another person.

[Frances Eaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly encouraging.

[Cadi Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid introduction to Titus 2 relationships among women in the church. I’ll admit, I expected to enjoy it more, and if I hadn’t been reading it with my book club, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. That would have been unfortunate, though, because some of the final chapters ended up being my favorites.

I especially appreciated the personal stories woven throughout the book. They added warmth and helped illustrate the author’s points in a relatable way. At times, however, some of the biblical narratives felt interpreted with a fair amount of supposition, reading into what the women may have been thinking or feeling when Scripture itself isn’t explicit.

I also found much of the practical application to be fairly elementary, focused on the basics of friendship, encouragement, and service. It may be especially helpful for newer believers or women who haven’t experienced much discipleship. Those who have been in church life for many years may find the themes familiar.

Overall, it’s a good book, and I’m looking forward to a meaningful discussion with my book club 🤗.

[Jeff Palomino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agreed to read this with our women’s ministry leader at church. Some good thoughts and ideas for sure, but not the deepest exegesis. Also, the book seems slapped together by Crossway and had many typos. It is a reprint (not updated really) of an older book. That said, if you’re looking for basic ideas of how women can minister to other women in the church and some insightful examples of how to do that, it’s worth your time.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concepts and ideas in this book, but dislike the way it was written
I do think we need to have good older/younger women relationships and mentoring in the church.

[Erica Gladney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️s