BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

May 9, 2015

The Way We Are To Be

Filed under: Titus — admin @ 9:23 AM

Lesson 4

The Way We Are To Be

Titus 3:1-15

May 17, 2015

 

There is an exercise in the “Real Me Class” that emphasizes the positive things a person has done in his or her life. Each person in the class is to set a time aside for reflection on his life. He or she is to start with the earliest memories he has and write out those things he or she loved to do and just as important the things he or she believes that were done well. The exercise is to be included with other factors such as Spiritual Gifts, Passion (Heart), Personalities and experience to determine how each one in his uniqueness can serve God.

 

This kind of reflection could be done to show our life before Christ. If we are honest with ourselves a picture will develop that indicates our need for forgiveness and salvation. I do not believe that it is an overstatement that each of us has things in our past of which we are not proud and are thankful that only God knows about them. I once did a study of all the sinful attitudes and actions found in the Bible. Knowing that my ability to sometimes recognize sin in my own life I am sure that I probably missed a number of them. Having said that the list was extremely long.

 

All too often we have a tendency to focus on the shortcomings of others in the church and refuse to realize that the very things we do not like in others are the attributes we do not admire in ourselves. It is so easy to put up a false façade on Sundays and Wednesdays. It quite often happens that when something occurs in church we do not think is right people see us for who we truly are. Every one of us has a past that has sin in it. We must not forget why the church exists. First and foremost it is for the worship of God. Secondly, it is to be the place where we are confronted with our sin nature and what Christ has done to wipe the slate clean. We must never be a hindrance with our attitudes and action of a person coming to Christ and finding salvation. God forgives and forgets what we have done through the work of Christ on the cross. We are not to do less than He has done for each of us. Paul is concluding his letter to Titus. He wanted to make sure that the gospel message was getting through to the “lazy Cretans.”

 

Titus 3:1-2

For a church that obviously had little regard for authority, Paul wanted to emphasize to them that it was the responsibility of a follower of Christ to respect and obey those in authority over them. He may have been calling to them to respond in a positive way both to the Elders in the church and secular leaders as well. In other words he was calling them to be law-abiding as dual citizens of this world and the kingdom of God. They were to be:

  • Active in service. Every citizen needs to understand that he is part of a larger community and he or she is to carry out his share of the work that makes it a better place to live.
  • Not speak evil of any man. Ephesians speaks of saying what builds up the body. (Ephesians 4:29)
  • Not aggressive or combative.
  • He is to be a man who is to deal gently with others. He is even tempered in his interaction with them.
  • Considerate of others.

 

  1. Why is it so important to obey the leadership in all areas of life?
  2. What happens when people no longer respect those in authority over them?
  3. What recent incidences have you seen that shows what happens when there is a lack of willingness to submit to those in authority?
  4. What can we expect from lawless actions?
  5. Why must a follower of Christ be different?
  6. Why do you think Paul chose the particular qualities mentioned about to exemplify a good citizen?
  7. What other qualities would you add to the list?

 

Titus 3:3

Paul then tried to paint a picture of a man without Christ. He made it a point to state that everyone was in the condition of being lost at a time of his or her life. No one is born a Christian. In contrast to the godly man he wrote that all were:

  • Foolish
  • Disobedient
  • Deceived or without direction
  • Enslaved to various lusts and pleasures
  • Spending our lives in malice. A man full of malice has a desire to cause harm to all men.
  • Envious
  • Hateful or detestable
  • Hating one another. It describes a man who is capable of every kind of wickedness.

 

  1. How are these attributes in contrast to those in verse 2?
  2. How do men reach such a state in life? (It is the natural outcome of a life without Christ.
  3. How do we go about being transformed from these characteristics?
  4. What are some of the actions that come from people who are lost and are described in this way?

 

Titus 3:4-5

Man does not have to be left in that hopeless state. Paul wanted the people to know that things were different. God had broken into history and man saw and experienced the kindness and love of God when Christ appeared on the scene. Man was saved on the basis of grace and not works even done for the right reasons. By His mercy He took the old dead life and gave it new birth changing it forever by the Holy Spirit. Man was cleansed from his sins and regenerated meaning be given a new life which is constantly being renewed over and over again as man grows in Christ.

 

  1. What does it mean to be unregenerate? (Lost in the eyes of God and dead in sin.)
  2. What happened when Christ appeared? (Man was made new by God’s grace and not works.)
  3. What does it show about the nature of God that had been in place for all eternity past? (His kindness and love for each of us)
  4. In what way did mercy play a part in what God was trying to do in the lives of men and women? (Giving us what we did not deserve because of our rebellious nature.)
  5. What were the two actions of the Holy Spirit in the work of God in man’s heart? (Regeneration and renewal.)
  6. What do each of those words mean for the believer?

 

Titus 3:6-7

All of those things took place in a person’s life because God generously poured out the Holy Spirit upon him through Jesus Christ who is man’s Savior. Man was therefore made clean as if he had not been enslaved to sin and became fellow heirs with Christ because of the work He had done.

 

  1. How did man receive the Holy Spirit? (God sent Him after the work on the cross had been finished to take residence in man’s life to point him to Jesus.)
  2. How is man justified? (Through Christ’s grace.)
  3. What does it mean to be justified? (God views us as if we had never sinned because of Jesus.)
  4. What has the Holy Spirit guaranteed for all believers? (We are fellow heirs with Christ with the assurance of eternal life.)

 

Titus 3:8

As far as Paul was concerned everything he had written to Titus was trustworthy. There was no reason for the people in Crete to doubt a single word of the letter. He wanted the people to hear what he had to say so that they would live godly lives performing only those deeds that were good. The things said were, according to Paul, good and beneficial for each of them.

 

  1. What was the assurance Paul wanted Titus to have? (Everything he had written could be trusted.)
  2. Why was it necessary that Paul’s writings be trusted? (They would not live their lives based on false teachings.)
  3. What was to come out of the reading of his letter?
  4. What did he mean by saying what they did would be beneficial? (They would understand they were serving God and everyone would profit by what they were doing.)

Titus 3:9

Paul did not want the people to get caught up in a discussion that would rip the church apart. They were to focus on solid doctrine not those things that would lead to controversy. The false teachers as were seen in Timothy tried to bring into the church discussion about genealogies involving false gods. Finally there is a good possibility the discussion concerning circumcision was still presenting a problem. Paul once again stated to not get bogged down in such meaningless teaching. They were worthless and provided no benefit to the growth of one’s faith.

 

  1. Why did Paul continually return to these thoughts? (False teachers were still coming into the body causing problems.)
  2. What did Paul want them to do? (Focus on solid doctrine.)
  3. Why is it just as important for us to do so today? (If we are continually studying His word and other good books we will not have time to be led astray.)
  4. Why did he specifically talk about genealogies and the law? (These were two areas that the false teachers used to promote themselves and their false agenda for the church. Circumcision should have been a dead issue, but it evidently was not.)
  5. To waste time leads to time that is? (Worthless and unprofitable.)

 

Titus 3:10-11

If there was a person in the body who was divisive and a troublemaker, that man was to be rejected by the congregation after having been warned to stop twice. He is not a godly man and his teaching is twisted. He condemns himself by his continual sin.

 

  1. What kind is one who is factious or divisive?
  2. Why is he a danger to the body?
  3. Why do we not discipline people like that in the church any longer?
  4. Why should he be warned? (Hopefully he will see the error of his ways and change)
  5. Who is he really hurting? (Himself because a man engaged in false teachings that lead to strife is condemning himself before God.)
  6. Why is it not a good idea just to ignore such a person?

 

Titus 3:12-13

Paul addressed some personnel changes that needed to occur. He wanted Titus to join him in Nicopolis and therefore was going to send a replacement. Others he commanded Titus to assist in the work.

 

Titus 3:14

Finally the people were called to take care of the needs within the body. He wanted them to be productive servants of Christ. This included everyone so that no one would be accused of being unproductive for Christ.

 

  1. What do you think it means to be a non-serving Christian? (It is a contradiction in terms.)
  2. Why do you thing there so many attending Church today who are unwilling to serve?
  3. What do you think can be done about the situation?
  4. What do you think it says about what they believe?

 

Titus 3:15

The letter closes with a greeting from Paul and those with him to those who love him in the faith. He finishes by calling on God to pour out His grace on them.

 

  1. In what way do you end any correspondence that would be an encouragement to them?
  2. Why did Paul take the time to write the letter? (Because he loved them in the faith?
  3. In what ways do you think about the grace of God being poured out on others?

 

  • Remember everyone has someone in authority over them. You need to learn how to live with that fact. It does not mean to compromise one’s beliefs but how to work with others.
  • Remember that at one point every one of you was at odds and in rebellion against God. The good news is that none of you have to remain in that condition because Christ has invaded history to provide salvation to mankind.
  • Look at the qualities that Paul enumerates for you in these verses and put them in practice.
  • Understand that it is the Holy Spirit who empowers mankind to do good that benefits all of us.

 

The letter of Titus has given a guide for the way we are to behave as members of the body of Christ. There was not an age group or gender omitted from Paul’s instruction. Elders are the one’s in authority but were not exempt from Paul’s directions. Leadership does provide us a snapshot of what a church will look like. Godly men will set the standard for those under their leadership. Older men and women provide guidance for younger men and women. Without that guidance new leadership will be developed. Without new generations being raised within the church the cause of Christ will be hindered.

 

Paul also provided us with a powerful contrast between those in opposition to God and followers of Christ. The difference cannot be more obvious. There is hatred, destruction and divisiveness on one side. The man who has been reborn in Christ is kind, loving and seeking the best for the church. There is no room in the church for the man or woman who seeks his or her own agenda to the detriment of others. We are to follow the standards set out for us in God’s word. If we do, what a change we will see in our lives and the atmosphere at church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2015

Behavior the Key to Life

Filed under: Titus — Tags: — admin @ 2:41 PM

Lesson 3

Behavior the Key to Life

Titus 2:1-15

May 10, 2015

 

In recent months we have seen the breakdown of society in ways I never would have conceived happening. The most recent example has been in Baltimore, Maryland where predominately young people have used an incident of the death of a man possibly at the hands of the police as an excuse to injure policemen and destroy property while the world watched. Lawless gangs have roamed the streets and baited the police to do anything as they hurled rocks and bottles at those mandated to protect the city from them.

 

One scene that has caught the attention of the nation was a mother accosting her son in public because of his participation in the rioting and looting. She has been praised for her actions. The question to be asked is why was she and hundreds of other parents not teaching their children the foundations of what it takes to be a good citizen before that moment. It comes down to the fact that without the training a child needs at a very young age then they will become the type of individuals we see on the streets of, you name the city, that has experienced the same kind of lawlessness.

 

In another way those who were involved in the Wall Street sit-ins sometime ago are of the same vein. They may have not destroyed property but the certainly were disruptive and had no regards for the rights of others to carry on their businesses without being harassed.

 

These are not cases of whether there are both parents, a single parent in the home or if the family is poor. There have many instances in which the parent has worked above all odds to keep the family together and led them to rise above the circumstances of the kind of life into which they were born. Dr. Ben Carson is an example of a person who became the noted pediatrician because his mother would not allow him to succumb to being a person with a victim mentality.

 

Families are the backbone of any society. When that unit breaks down then a nation will not last but so long without disintegrating into a world without regard for anyone or anything. The Bible is full of admonishments of the kind of life that we are to live that is pleasing to God and help us to have love and respect for others.

 

To say that the church is dependent on the family is an understatement. In Timothy and Titus both Paul indicated that the elder, and of course his wife, was to train up the children in such a way that they reflect favorably on their parents. Proper training includes teaching them the ways of God, which will lead to salvation and being a good citizen. The old saying, “God does not have any grandchildren,” shows how critical that each generation prepare the children to become leaders and ministers in the church.

 

In Titus 2 Paul gives the key not only to the behavior of those in the church but also the relationships that each is to have within the body. He leaves no age group out. It is also plain that he has a major concern about the way those in the family are to relate to each other.

 

Titus 2:1

 

As always is true the foundation for every life no matter the age or station is the Word of God. Paul is emphatic that the truth be proclaimed and taught to the church in Crete. Before anything else happens people must understand God’s standards.

 

  1. How is a person to know how to conduct himself? (By having a standard a moral basis upon which they can build a life.)
  2. What did Paul emphasize the teaching of sound doctrine? (Anything else will cause confusion in a person’s life and point them in the wrong direction.)
  3. What did Paul consider sound doctrine? (The message of the gospel.)
  4. What did you view as sound teaching?
  5. Where is it found?
  6. How has the teaching you have received impacted the way you view life?

 

Titus 2:2

Once Paul had established the foundation upon which a person was to base his life he began to flesh out what it would look like in the diversity of people found in the body of Christ. He began with the older men in the church. Most likely they did hold the position of elder, but were those who were at least middle age and had possibly already raised a family. Of course one would hope that they would set the standard for the behavior of others. Paul noted that those men were to display certain character qualities. They included being

  • They were to be sober which in this case might carry a twofold meaning. He may have been speaking of the opposite of being literally drunk. The word could also have been used in a figurative way. Paul was calling on the men to be clear minded therefore having the ability to make wise decisions.
  • He was to be worthy of respect. Their actions were not to be frivolous or silly.
  • Sensible or self controlled.
  • Sound in faith. Paul had already spoken of holding to sound doctrine in the first verse of this chapter. The faith described here, like love and perseverance, was personal in nature, established on the firm footing of the gospel.
  • Sound in love. His life should express God’s kind of love found in the word agape.
  • Sound in perseverance. It was an endurance of hope that should be on display to the world.

 

  1. Why was it important for older men to have the qualities mentioned in this verse?
  2. Who were those considered to be in this category?
  3. What qualities do you want to see in the older men in our church?
  4. How well do these qualities mentioned by Paul fit our society today?
  5. What is the source of these qualities?

Titus 2:3

Paul then turns to the older women of the church. He wrote, the qualities found here are specifically identifiable with the role women were to play in the life of the church and society. The things mentioned here did not lessen the equal status that women held in the eyes of God but their unique roles. Older women were to be

  • It was attitude appropriate to the service to God.
  • Not to be malicious gossips. This has been address elsewhere.
  • Not enslaved to too much wine. They like the men were to be sober-minded.
  • Teachers of good especially to younger women.

 

  1. How are the roles for women in the body of Christ different than those of the men of the church?
  2. Why was it so important to be reverent? (A person’s lifestyle affects the way others approach God.)
  3. Why did Paul admonish the women not to be involved in gossip?

 

Titus 2:4-5

Proper mentoring by godly women would encourage the younger women to:

  • Love their husbands and children.
  • Be sensible.
  • Be pure.
  • Be Workers at home. (It was the responsibility of the women to provide the stability in the home on a daily basis.)
  • Be kind
  • Be subject or submission to her own husband. (It is to honor and respect the husband as the spiritual head of the family.)

All of this was to be done so that God’s name would be honored among all the people.

 

  1. What does the mentoring of younger women mean for the church?
  2. Why is the role of a younger woman so important? (It provides for the stability of the family and therefore the church.)
  3. What does being subject to husbands really mean?
  4. What does having these qualities ultimately mean? (God is honored when we are truly godly people.)

 

Titus 2:6-8

The next generation of church leaders were admonished by Paul to:

  • Be sensible
  • Be doers of good deeds
  • Keep themselves pure in regard to the teachings of God’s word. See Psalm 119:9.
  • Be dignified
  • Be sound in speech. Possibly meant to have the ability to present the gospel in a clear and concise manner that no one could dispute or undermine. This took preparation of heart and mind as he spent time in God’s word. No one can present what he does not know.

If a young man lives in this manner those who oppose his godly lifestyle will be put to shame. They will have no grounds to criticize what he says or does.

 

  1. Why is it so important to train up a young man in the ways of the Lord? (They are the next generation of disciples and leaders in the church.)
  2. How is a young man to know the way he is to live?
  3. What is the best way to quiet your enemies? (By living out a godly life.)
  4. As a young person how are you fulfilling these words of encouragement from Paul?
  5. In what ways are these words still applicable for today?

 

Titus 2:9-10

In the early church there was a mixture of those who had slaves and the slaves themselves. Paul commanded the slaves not to take advantage of the relationship with Christ as they served their masters on a day-to-day basis. If anything they were to be more conscientious than those who were not believers. Some of the ways they were to conduct themselves included obedience and honesty. By their actions they would show they were people of faith holding to the teachings of the gospel.

 

  1. What was the makeup of the early church? (All classes of people.)
  2. What problems could this situation have presented in the body? (Slaves taking advantage of their new found equality with their masters.)
  3. What did Paul admonish the slaves to do to keep the church being full of dissension?
  4. How can we handle differences in the church today with so many different types of people in attendance?
  5. How would you handle the situation if you worked for a fellow believer who is also your boss?

Titus 2:11-14

Paul wanted to remind Titus once again the reason for his letter. Salvation had come to the earth by way of the grace of God. It had been made available to all men. Only those who were willing to leave godly lives of course could accept that fact. A follower of Christ therefore was to live a life that was lived:

  • Sensibly
  • Righteously
  • Godly

In the time in which they were living.

 

They were to look for that time when hope was fulfilled by the appearing of Jesus Christ who provided the redemption for each one who was guilty of lawless deeds. This saving power purified those who believed in order that they would become his prized possession. They were to show that they were His by being zealous in the performance of good deeds.

 

  1. Of what did Paul want to remind Titus? (Grace had been provided to all mankind.)
  2. What was to occur in a person’s life to show that he understood what God was doing in the world? (He was to turn his back on ungodly and worldly desires.)
  3. How was he then to live having done what God required? (Live sensibly, righteously and godly in the time he has on the earth.)
  4. What is the future hope that all believers have? (That Jesus is going to return for them and make them his own.)
  5. What did Christ do to guarantee that was going to happen? (He gave Himself for us to redeem us.)
  6. From what do we need to be saved?

 

Titus 2:15

Paul wanted Titus to share these instructions with everyone who would listen. As was seen in 2 Timothy God’s word is good for:

  • Encouragement
  • Reproof: Criticism of one living in sin.

 

  1. How can we use this book in instructing people how to live?
  2. Who is to hear it? (Even those who may not want to hear its message.)
  3. How are they to be used? (To encourage and call attention to one’s sins.)
  4. Why do we not carry out church discipline any longer?

 

  • Remember the next generation can be no better than what they learn from the adults in their lives.
  • Do all you can do to train up the children in the way they should go.
  • Look at each different group that is found in the life of the church as see the qualities that Paul identify for each of you.
  • Notice that the one quality that Paul shard about each person was to be sensible. You are to be self-controlled in all of your speech and actions.
  • Remember the church is diverse and it takes each of you make it the place from which God’s kingdom is carried out into the world.

 

Every one of us comes from different family backgrounds. We have to learn that it is not our origin that counts but what we make of the life God has given us. Some of you have had to overcome very difficult circumstances but have not let that fact hold you back. You have used that training ground as a means to help others who find themselves in similar situations. Jesus took twelve men and built eleven of them into a team that impacted the known world with the gospel. Barnabas sought out a man who had once been a persecutor of the church and took him to Antioch because he believed Saul had something to share. That same Saul who became Paul selected people from both the Jewish community and the Gentile world and molded them into those he could trust to lead churches founded in places like Ephesus and Crete. That line has not ended has people have risen from every place around the world to help God’s kingdom to grow. They have come from rich and poor families. The one thing in common they have had that has helped the church to grow is to look beyond themselves because of their love for Christ and His people. We are now part of the present and future based on what they have done. We must not allow the society around us that is falling apart to keep us from helping to continue to build God’s family and our own.

 

 

 

 

 

April 24, 2015

To Lead or Not to Lead

Filed under: Titus — admin @ 3:20 PM

Lesson 2

To Lead or Not to Lead

Titus 1:5-16

May 3, 2015

 

The title to this lesson may sound a little like Shakespeare but the idea behind it is very important in the world today. On one of my trips to Russia, I took part in a leadership conference. As part of my presentation I used the concept of the material we use in “The Real Me” sessions here at Church. Since I was in a secular setting I modified the SHAPE acrostic slightly replacing the Spiritual gifts part with specific gifts. What I did not alter was what it meant to be gifted with gifts applicable in that venue. The qualities found in one’s SHAPE are especially important when deciding on leadership of an organization. Everyone of us have gifts, passions/heart, abilities, personality traits and experiences that uniquely equip us for certain roles in a job, school, church etc.

 

Recently, there was a news item that was discussed on TV concerning whether a person should be made to take a personality test as a part of the application process for a job. Of course the answer to it depends on your perspective and whether it has qualified or disqualified a person for a job. I have been a proponent for discovering how a person might fit into an organization based on his or her personality. I believe there would be less dissatisfaction among employees and volunteers in groups like churches it a person knew up front how God has wired or shaped them. When a person is built a certain way it does him and a group a disservice of putting him into a position that additional stress is put on that person because he does not fit the job.

 

This should be doubly true in the church. That might sound like a strong statement. When one honestly looks at what the church is trying to do it becomes very important to have people serve in a position for which they are best suited. An example would be putting a person in a teaching role, who is very uncomfortable speaking before an adult class. He would soon experience burnout and might be unwilling to serve again in any capacity. Paul commanded both Timothy and Titus to take great care in selecting those for leadership roles. Both books contrast the character of godly and ungodly men that would either qualify or disqualify them from becoming, in particular, elders of the church.

 

Titus 1:5

Paul had left Titus in Crete for two reasons. He was to finish the work that he and Paul had started. The church needed to understand the relationships that believers needed to live out each day. Secondly Titus was to appoint elders. Those men were to be the overseers put in place to provide leadership to the church. There were three factors that were truth of elders in all the churches that Paul had started. They were to be from a local congregation, plural in number and qualified to lead. Other than those criteria each church would have its own unique situations that would need to be addressed. Other than elders and deacons, there is little in the Bible about the structure or operation of the church in the different cities and countries.

 

  1. Why was Titus left in Crete? (To help organize, deal with unique issues in the church and appoint elders.)
  2. Why did Paul trust Titus to carry out the work? (He had proven himself to be trustworthy in the completing the tasks Paul had previously given him.)
  3. What were the conditions to be met in appointing elders?
  4. In your mind how has Bethany Place done in setting up the elder model?
  5. Why did Paul not spell out in detail what needed to occur? (Each church is unique. As is seen today if details had been provided then there would be those who would try to be a copycat church.)
  6. What did Paul not want to happen in appointing a plurality of elders? (It eliminated the possibility of one person controlling the church.)

 

Titus 1:6a

The qualifications for elders given here are different than the ones Paul listed in1 Timothy. As was mentioned above, Paul was addressing what needed to take place in the unique setting in Crete. The church of Ephesus was different in its culture and needs. In both cases one of the most important character qualities was to be above reproach. No accusations of misconduct could be made against the man because of his mature lifestyle. The other qualifications were:

  • To be the husband of one wife. Refer back to the study in 1 Timothy to see what this means.
  • To have believing children. As a leader in the home there should be an environment conducive to the children accepting Christ.

 

  1. What are some of the differences in this list than the one in 1 Timothy 3? (Paul does not speak of a elder being able to teach for one.)
  2. Why did Paul give different instructions to Titus than those of Timothy? (Different churches and denominations have different cultures and different needs.)
  3. What did Paul list as the number one priority for the elders?
  4. What does it mean to be above reproach?
  5. In what ways can it be said that you are above reproach?

 

Titus 1:6b

The children of an elder were to:

  • Live a life free from immorality and lack of self-control. The prodigal son in Luke 16 is a perfect example of the attitude of those children who did not follow the teachings of their father.
  • Not rebel against the teachings of their parents or God. To live a life described here showed a total lack of respect or honor for their parents.

 

  1. What is to be the behavior of the children of elders?
  2. What is to be the responsibility of the elders? (To teach the ways of the Lord. The decision to follow Christ must be made by the individual.)
  3. What does it mean to live a live of dissipation? (To waste a life on the those things that are immoral and destructive.)
  4. How does a person rebel against parents?

 

Titus 1:7

Again Paul continues with the qualities of an elder/overseer. He first again stated the first quality of being above reproach. He went on to write that the elder was to be God’s manager or steward of God’s people. A steward took good care of the affairs of his master. To be a good overseer of the body an elder was not to be:

  • Self-willed. He was not to do those things to just please himself but the will of God.
  • Quick-tempered. He was to refrain from being angry.
  • A drunkard or to act as under the influence of any kind of substance that clouds the mind or causes a person to act irrationally.
  • He is one who is contentious as is always looking for a physical or verbal fight.
  • Fond of sordid gain. It has already been seen in Timothy how a man might use his position to use others to acquire wealth. Some people are unscrupulous in the way they get wealth.

 

  1. Why did Paul feel it necessary to list the particular attitudes elders were to avoid? (Any or all of them could destroy the witness of an elder and destroy the church.)
  2. What does it mean to be a good steward of God’s church? (One handles the things of God in a way that leads others to Christ.)
  3. If a man has a tendency to possess the characteristics, how does he overcome them?
  4. In what ways are making sure that the above list does not describe who you are?

Titus 1:8

Rather than dwelling on the above the elder was to be:

  • The Greek work is philoxenos, which means having a love for others. Notice the first part of the word is philo, which signifies having brotherly love. Another way to view it is to be friendly towards one’s fellow man.
  • A lover of good people and things.
  • Sensible: It means to be prudent and to wisely control ones thoughts and actions.
  • Just: The elder was to give every man his due.
  • Devout: It is to live a godly life.
  • Self-controlled. It is a man who has mastered himself. It might be described as understanding the tension between excesses of too much or too little in regard to ones thinking or action.

 

  1. In what ways have you shown hospitality to those who have attended our church?
  2. What does it mean to be hospitable?
  3. Why it so important to be a sensible person? (Good decisions are not made by those who are irrational.)
  4. How do you maintain self-control?
  5. What does it take to live a devout life?
  6. In what ways do you practice being devout without being self-righteous?

 

Titus 1:9

Paul wrote that the one way a person can devote himself to the Christ like qualities that had just been mentioned was to hold to the teachings of God’s word. Only then could Titus or the elders he was to appoint be able to exhort and encourage others to believe in sound doctrine. That knowledge would allow them to refute all those who were false teachers.

 

  1. How can a man expect to live out the qualities about which Paul had written? (By holding onto the truths taught in Scripture.)
  2. Why was it important for the church that the leaders were students of the Bible?
  3. What does the church need today? (Ones who believe the Bible who are then willing and able to exhort and encourage others.)
  4. What other thing does knowing and believing God’s word allow us to do? (To refute the false teaching of the opponents to the church.)

 

Titus 1:10-11

Titus was to face opposition from those who were rebelling against God’s word. The opponents to the truth of the gospel were the Jews who spoke of the law and traditions that were full of empty promises. Paul indicated to Titus that such teaching must be silenced because of the harm it was bringing to families. Again much of what they were sharing were philosophies to make money off those who were brand new in the faith.

 

  1. Who are those today who are rebelling against God? (Those who deny the truth found in His word.)
  2. What do people like the Jews of Paul’s day have to offer? (Empty promises that will leave a person lost.)
  3. How do we silence that type of individual? (By proclaiming the truth only found in God’s word.)
  4. Who are those who are teaching philosophies of health and wealth for their own personal gain?
  5. How do you identify them? (Their teachings are not found in the New Testament.)

 

Titus 1:12-14

Among the nations of the world the Cretans had a very poor reputation. The Greeks did a play on their name. It was the word cretize which meant to lie and cheat. Paul used a saying of one their own citizens to describe the people among whom Titus was put to minister. They were called liars, evil beasts, lazy and gluttons. Rather than commanding his young protégé to leave he encouraged him to criticize them severely calling attention to their sinful way of living by pointing them to the sound doctrine found in the Scriptures that would lead to a saving faith. They were to longer pay attention to the false teachings of any man, including the Jews, who would lead them away from the truth.

 

  1. How would Paul describe the place where we live?
  2. What are the conditions of our society that would be like Crete?
  3. Knowing what was taking place in Crete why did Paul command Titus to stay?
  4. In similar circumstances what would we be inclined to do?
  5. What did Paul indicate the people of Crete needed?
  6. Why did Paul use such strong words to describe the actions Titus was to take?
  7. What did it say about the character of Titus that Paul left him with such a monumental task to accomplish?
  8. If you were Titus how would you deal with the needs of the people?

 

Titus 1:15

There are those who look for the good in all situations. Paul in other places spoke of the good that God was doing for His people. There are on the other hand those who never see anything as beautiful, or good or pure. Sadly, they are the people that are defiled in both mind and conscience. Nothing good can be found in them. Jesus alluded to this very idea when he told Peter on the occasion of the last supper. “He who has bathed only needs to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:10) All of the disciples but Judas, Jesus declared as having purified in the Spirit. Judas was so wrapped up in his on agenda could not see the goodness of Christ because it did not benefit him.

 

  1. What does it mean to see things in a pure way? (See as God sees them.)
  2. Describe someone you know that never sees anything in a positive way?
  3. What would you say about their heart condition?
  4. In what ways is this attitude opposite of what a Christian is to be like?
  5. Who is an example from the Bible who had a defiled mind and conscience?
  6. How can we best be of the heart and mind to see the good in the world?

 

Titus 1:16

Paul wrote here about the same people described in 2 Timothy 3:5. They were “holding to a form of godliness, although they denied its power.” Every thing they did denied that God had a place in their lives. They proved that they did not know or love Him by being “detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

 

  1. How would Titus know those who were defiled?
  2. How do we know that those around us do not truly believe in God? (By their actions.)
  3. How are we to deal with such individuals? (By doing what Paul commanded Titus to do earlier.)
  4. Why would sometimes have trouble spotting individuals with those attitudes? (Because we may be like them in so many ways?
  5. How can we be true servants of Jesus Christ? (By displaying the qualities written in the Bible.)

 

  • Pray that you will be discerning in the selection of leaders for our church.
  • Review the qualifications and attributes of those who would be put into leadership roles.
  • Take advantage of the “Real Me” classes to determine your place of service and leadership in the church.
  • Work on those areas of your life that might disqualify you from serving in some capacity.
  • Stay in God’s word and then follow the directions given to you.

 

As has been seen in these verses it is critical that we do not take the selection of leaders lightly. Conversely, we should never let the fact that there is such thing as perfect individuals keep us from serving in the way and place God has prepared us to minister. We each have a responsibility to continue to grow in our walk with Christ so when the opportunity comes we are willing and able to step forward to work along many other faithful people who sacrifice time and energy to disciple others. There is one caveat to what has been said. We have to realize to mature in Christ cannot be done in our own power. It will only occur under the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit. That one thing is true for each of us whoever we are. It is a privilege to work for the advancement of God’s kingdom so find your place in the movement and be willing to lead no matter the cost.

 

 

 

 

 

April 18, 2015

Right Man for Crete

Filed under: Titus — admin @ 7:05 PM

Lesson 1

Titus 1:1-4

Right Man for Crete

April 26, 2015

 

There is a saying that every organization will rise or fall depending on the type of leadership that is in place. Many years ago Jim Collins wrote a book titled, “Good to Great.” In it he profiled businesses that had reached the status of being great organizations. One of the criteria he used was the type of leadership that company had in place. There was a local business on that list. Not having looked at that book for a number of years I do not know how many of the organizations are still in operation. One of the corporations was Circuit City. He held it up as one that met all of his standards. Unfortunately, when the president who had led the way from good to great retired, Circuit city went bankrupt. It took some time for that to happen but eventually it closed its doors and has been replaced by another big box electronic type store. I am not sure whether Best Buy would find it way into one of Mr. Collin’s books but it too is in trouble because of the changing ways that consumers purchase products today.

 

Churches face the same dilemma today. I have not read the article, but Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway, wrote an article concerning the barriers to church growth. I am sure that one of the problems he addressed is leadership. Churches grow sometimes because they are in a heavily populated area of new homes. If they do not grow it would indicate they possibly do not have the kind of leadership capable of providing the vision the church needs to grow, they are making no effort whatsoever to reach out into the community. Others have to work harder to grow because they have been around and are in an older established neighborhood. Another factor would be that they are located in a dying or transitioning community. It would take solid, visionary leadership to turn one of these churches around. The key is turning around a difficult situation into one that is dynamic and vital to the area.

 

Into just that kind of situation Paul sent Titus. From what is found in other places in Scripture he evidently had the gift of administration. We will find out in the book of Titus expected of that young coworker.

 

Titus was probably written about the same time as the first letter to Timothy. It was during the interlude between Paul’s first and second imprisonment. He had left Timothy at Ephesus and Titus was left on the island of Crete. Evidently, each of those churches had its unique problems. While the congregation at Ephesus seemed to be well organized with elders already in place, the church on Crete must been floundering for lack of organization. Paul dealt with each situation by sending men uniquely qualified to deal with the issues.

 

Titus 1:1

As has been mentioned before, although this was a personal letter to Titus, Paul knew many others in the church on Crete would read it who may not have been familiar with him. He therefore began with his credentials as he had done in other letters. Paul always considered himself a bondservant or more appropriately a slave of Jesus Christ. The word used for slave was doulos. A doulus was the lowest form of servant hood. That person had not rights of his own and was always ready day or night to carry out the most menial of tasks for his master. For Paul that was an honorable position knowing that he owed everything to Jesus.

 

Secondly, he saw himself as an apostle. An apostle was one who had witnessed the risen Lord and had received instruction from Him and then had been sent out into the world to share the gospel with all who would listen. Paul saw the reason he had been called was a clear picture of the discipleship process. In his mind, he had been called as an apostle to lead all those who had been chosen by God into a life of faith to be His children. From that starting point they were to acquire the knowledge from God’s word that would help them live a godly life.

 

  1. Why did Paul identify himself as a doulos? (He considered himself completely own by Jesus Christ?
  2. What is important for us to understand about the word? (Unless we see ourselves completely subservient to the Master we cannot truly serve Him.)
  3. Why do we have such difficulty having this mindset?
  4. Why did Paul believe it was necessary to use the term apostle in a personal letter? (Many would read it.)

What did Paul mean by the fact that he was an apostle for the faith of others? (His task always was to lead people to trust in Jesus Christ.)

  1. What did Paul mean by the word chosen? (All those who accept Christ as Savior are the chosen ones.)
  2. How do we make progress in the Christian walk? (Study of God’s word.)
  3. What are the result of coming to Christ and the study of the Scriptures? (It leads to living a godly life.)

 

Titus 1:2

The hope that all who follow the discipleship process of belief, growing and living in a godly manner is eternal life. Eternal life is more than just living forever. It is living a godlike life forever in the presence of the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The hope is the assurance promised by God for each follower of Christ from before the beginning of time. It is a promise that cannot be broken because it was made by the very One who cannot lie.

 

  1. What is the one thing of which one who becomes a follower of Jesus Christ can be assured? (Eternal life.)
  2. What is eternal life? (It is living the same kind of quality of life that God lives in the presence of the Godhead, the three in One.)
  3. How do we know this is true? (Because God promised it would happen.)
  4. What is the key to believing? (God cannot break a promise.)
  5. What have you done in your own life to make sure this is true for you?

 

Titus 1:3

Galatians says, “When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son.” (Galatians 4:4) Paul told Titus, “At the proper time.” Both indicated that when the conditions were right Jesus came. The things that were in place were:

  • The world used the same language, Greek
  • There were no limits to where the apostles could travel since the Roman Empire was so widespread.
  • Travel was easy since the Romans had built great road system that was relatively safe.
  • The pax romana, Roman peace was prevalent.
  • The people, especially the Jewish people, had a deep spiritual hunger that all other religions could not fill.

 

It was into this world that the good news came. Paul was one the primary proclaimers of the Gospel everywhere he went under the command of God.

 

  1. What did Paul mean by the “proper time” in Titus and “fullness of time” in Galatians? (All the conditions for receiving of the gospel needed to be in place.)
  2. What were the conditions in the world when Christ came and during the years that the gospel was proclaimed throughout the Roman Empire?
  3. What was the most important factor? (The hunger for the truth.)
  4. Why is it necessary for us to share the gospel today? (God has commanded it and it has never been easier to spread the word.)

 

Titus 1:4

Finally got around to addressing Titus. In the same manner as with Timothy, Paul had a deep affection for Titus. He was his spiritual son and spent a great deal of time with Paul or being his envoy to carry out difficult missions for him. One thing was plain then that needs to be understood even today. Every man, even if loved by Paul as a son, must come to Christ in the same way. It is a common faith that is experienced by all.

 

Paul ends his salutation with the words that have been seen in his letters to Timothy. He invokes a blessing of grace and peace through God the Father and Jesus Christ on Titus. Grace is the gift of unmerited favor. Peace is a prayer for a person’s wellbeing.

  1. How did Paul view his relationship with Titus?
  2. What one other person do we have a record of Paul feeling that way about?
  3. What made these two men special? (He had seen them grow spiritually from the beginning of their walk with Jesus. He had been a major part in seeing all of this occur.)
  4. Who are those to whom you feel especially close because of the spiritual relationship you share?
  5. What was the blessing Paul gave to Titus?
  6. What does it mean to hear the words grace and peace from someone?
  7. What are some examples in Scripture that indicate the trust Paul had in Titus? (See Galatians 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:6, 10,16, 23 and 12:18.)
  8. In what ways do we indicate our trust in others today? (Putting them into leadership roles and sending them on mission trips.)

 

  • Understand that your spiritual life is one of being a disciple for as long as you live. Faith in Jesus Christ is only the beginning.
  • After faith comes a growth in knowledge and wisdom building on the beginning faith.
  • Realize that a godly life can only come as you continue in the discipleship process.
  • Take seriously the kind of leadership you put in place. Pretty soon you will be selecting a least one new elder. Prayerfully consider the man you would want to be part of the elder team for the next three years.

 

A true church whose members are genuine followers of Christ is composed of slaves. When we became believers we gave the right to our lives. Christ is now our Master who gives us direction for the way we are to interact with each other and the world. Because we are all equal having been saved from sin that has overtaken everyman we should treat each other as family. Paul saw Timothy and Titus as his sons in the Lord. As we look around when we are together do we look at each other in the same way? Having said that there is diversity in the body that should not lead to division and jealousy. Although everyone is equal, when it comes to salvation, each person is gifted by God in a different way. See 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 to see the variety of gifts and how they all fit together to make us a unified body. In the way you are called be willing to serve God to the fullest extent of your ability.

 

 

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