Titus for Beginners
Titus' Mission
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on the mission Paul communicates to Titus. Of special note is how this mission translates to Christians today.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the purpose and principles from the book of Titus.
- Feel: Value Paul’s instructions to Titus.
- Do: Apply Paul’s teachings to increase our faithfulness to God.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
1. Review the following points from lesson 1.
- I & II Timothy and Titus form 3 pastoral epistles (letters). The primary focus is to teach and encourage.
- Churches were dealing with 2 false doctrines: Gnosticism and the Judaizers.
- Gnosticism taught that man's spirit was good, but the body was evil. It emphasized restrictions on the body to free the spirit from the flesh.
- Judaizers taught that gentiles must first convert to Judaism and emphasized circumcision.
- Both teachings emphasized a works type of salvation.
- Salvation is offered by God's grace and received based on obedient faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is expressed by one's confession, repentance, and baptism. Note: One does not earn salvation.
- Paul teaches (1) preserve and pass on sound doctrine (2) train and appoint sound leaders (specifically elders and deacons).
2. Discuss Paul's instructions to Titus from Titus 1:5.
Titus' mission in Crete – Set in order various church matters and appoint elders in every city.
- To set in order includes organizing the structure and proper functioning of the local church and ensuring that sound doctrine is taught.
- Appoint elders – Set into place those who qualify to lead the church. Note: This is directly related to setting in order. No man is made an elder to have authority over several churches or cities. It is incorrect biblically to produce an organization where one man heads up a hierarchical structure that in turn oversees a number of congregations as commonly seen in the denominational world today.
Titus, through teaching and training, qualified men who were then appointed as elders. There was usually only one congregation of the church in each city, so he appointed several elders to serve in each of these congregations.
3. Summarize the qualifications for elders as outlined in Titus (Titus 1:6-9).
- Above reproach – A man is known to be of good moral character in and out of the church.
- Husband of one wife (vs. 6) – A "one woman man" with no other improper relations with other women. Faithfulness to his wife.
- Having children who believe and behave (vs. 6) – Children who are faithful to the Lord and are not rebellious.
- A good steward over the church (vs. 7) – Places the interest of the church over self interests. Is not forceful, quick tempered, influenced by substances (i.e. alchohol), argumentative, and not materialistic. Is by contrast (vs. 8) hospitable, loves goodness, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled and faithful to god's word.
4. How does Paul describe the need for elders (Titus 1:10-16)?
- To combat those rebellious to God's word and those who teach error.
- To overcome those who's basic motivations are greed, love of money, and power.
- To prevent damage to the faith of others.
5. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
As the church grew and time passed, the apostles and Paul especially recognized through the Holy Spirit's inspiration that there was a need for leaders dedicated to the truth of God's word and the spiritual growth of Christians. Paul puts into place a system to ensure this. (Note: This is in line with the Apostolic Authority given by Jesus in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18).
When we deviate from God's plan, we disobey God and ensure the eventual failure of our efforts. On an individual basis, we must also follow God's plan by becoming a child of God as He requires and live faithfully according to His word. When we do this, God is faithful to save and preserve us for eternal life.