Ask about Titus: Who was Titus?…A Greek, probably converted to Christ through Paul’s ministry. He had become Paul’s special representative to the island of Crete.
Ask about the book of Titus: Who is writing the book of Titus?…Paul wrote the book, speaking to Titus.
Read Titus 1:1-5
Ask about the elder: What is an elder (of a church)?…“Eldest servant”-referred to in the old testament, usually have a good understanding of their faith, was an individual that you would come to if you had any questions.
Talk about the back story to the scripture: Paul wanted Titus to look for specific characteristics in the candidates when nominating elders.
Read Titus 1:6-9
Ask about advice: Do people obey you when you give advice? Are you slow to anger? Do you know how to encourage others with scripture? Are you violent? Do you have good self-control? Would you be a good candidate for being nominated as an elder?
Talk about the elder and the fully-devoted Christ follower: The elder seems to be equivalent to what we consider a fully-devoted Christ follower.
A goal in Christianity: Our main goal in Christianity is to be a fully-devoted Christ follower, in which our words, actions, and motives reflect those of Jesus.
Baby Steps to full-devotion: Since the goal of full-devotion takes years of hard work to reach, we must take baby steps.
Ask about characteristics: Which characteristic describes you/doesn’t describe you?
- Is faithful to his/her family
- Is slow to anger (not quick-tempered, non-violent)
- Loves what is good
- Is self controlled
- Is disciplined
- Holds firmly to the message being taught
- Knows how to encourage others using the bible
Ask about a fully-devoted Christ follower: What is the opposite of a fully-devoted Christ follower?…A rebellious person, person whose life is full of sin.
Read Titus 1:10-16
Ask about a rebellious individual: What is a rebel of God?…Someone who rejects God and does what he/she wants instead of what God wants
- Full of meaningless talk and deception (lies), especially to believers.
- Teach “lessons” to others for dishonest gain (Ask: What would be an example of this?…how to successfully get at all of the ladies and then go tell stories on how it worked)
- Lazy (…says more than does)
- Reject the truth
- Is not pure
- Has a corrupt mind and conscious (…Society may have convinced you what good/bad should be, in which it may be different than the meaning in the Bible)
Read Titus 1:16 (Don’t be this guy)…Loves what isn’t good (disobedient, dishonest)
Give some examples: It is so much easier to grab that pack of gum from the store without paying for it than to earn the money and then buy it. It is so much easier give into the temptation of looking at pornography than to not give in. It is so much easier to stay with your friends than to walk up to the kid who has no friends and introduce yourself.
Conclusion to examples: Obviously, it is usually easier to do what isn’t considered good than to do what is considered good in God’s eyes. If this statement is accurate than why should we still pursue what is good?… In the short run, it is easier to do what isn’t good. In the long run, God is pleased and we will be blessed by every good thing that is done in the name of the Lord.
Ask about your abilities: If you were told to teach others about Jesus, would you do it?…Most of you COULD do it. Through your years of going to church, hearing teachings from your parents and your church leaders, you have at least the basic knowledge of God and Jesus.
Ask about the difficulty in sharing: If this statement is accurate, why is it so difficult to do?…The little devil on your shoulder may try to convince you that it is not rewarding and it is too uncomfortable to do.
Talk about the advantages: If you take some time to think and ponder on the long-term advantages, we might be convinced otherwise.
Read Titus 2:1-5… “Teach older men to have self-control and be firm in their faith”… “Teach older women what is good, then they can teach younger women how to love their husband and children”… “Teach young men…”
Ask about our rewards: What is our rewards?…Can you find the answer? What is our contribution? What is our reward?…We have the opportunity to pour into the lives of others and teach.
Ask about teaching: Why should we teach (everyone)?…Everyone benefits from our teachings. If we teach one person what is good, they can then teach another what is good.
Talk about our world: If you examine our world now, it is overpopulated by people who love what isn’t good. We can contribute and help the world by teaching people what is good.
Ask about our abilities: What can you do?…
- Be a good influence to friends, siblings and others
- Reach out to the “lost”, those who are lonely or don’t know God.
- Teach the Bible
- Ask about what else we could do: What else?
Read Titus 3:1-2
Talk about our role as a follower: Our role as a follower is to do what is good and follow God.
Read Titus 3:3-8
Remember this: Remember that there is always a time in our life where we will feel disconnected from God….before we accept God, in an addiction, hanging out with the wrong crowd, etc.
Read Titus 3:9-15
Solution to everything: When in doubt, trust God. Remain faithful. Keep pushing through. Stay devoted. Love always.
References:
Bible Study Tools. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/
NIV Life Application Study Bible. (2011). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. (2004). Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. (2004). Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
Unger, M. F. (1976) Unger’s bible dictionary. Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.