Dig In:
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-2 - The things in v1-2 which Pastor Titus is to continually remind his congregation of are not complicated:
Obediently subject themselves to the government (as long as they can do so without violating God's commands);
Be devoted to doing whatever is good (v8 also);
Be peaceable, gentle, and get along with everyone.
As simple and uncomplicated as these instructions are, they are in direct conflict with our human nature, which is why we need the continual reminders to do these things.
v3-7 - It would not be possible for God to accept you the way you were, mired in sin. God is holy and cannot have His holiness corrupted.
He can't just say that you're acceptable, as that would violate His justice.
That's why v5-6 is so critical: the Holy Spirit has given you new birth and made you completely new again, so that now you are acceptable to God, so that "we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (v7).
v8-11 - Paul explains exactly why pastors need to continually remind and stress these things:
So that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good (v8).
As long as a person is struggling to press forward in devoting themselves to doing good, patience must be extended when they trip up and sin.
However, there must be no tolerance for people who don't seem to care about becoming more like Christ in their life, and if their behavior begins to divide the church, they should be warned twice, and if the sinful behavior persists, they must be cut off (v10).
Sin is like a cancer, and if that cancer is not responding to medicine, it needs to be surgically removed so that the entire body is not infected.
v12-15 - After some closing acknowledgements, Paul reiterates his main point to Pastor Titus one more time:
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives (v14).
You don't want to live an unproductive life, right? So make sure the truths of the Bible are being repeated and stressed often in your life!
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:
Proverbs 12:14 (NIV)
From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: After mentioning the mercy and grace God has given us through Jesus Christ, Paul said he wanted Titus to teach those things so that people who trust in God will be careful to do something. What is it that they are to be careful to do? (See verse 8.)
If Satan wrote down some guidelines and commands to get Titus to do just the opposite of what this chapter teaches, how do you think his message might be worded?
Questions taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: A God full of kindness and love who saved you because of His mercy (v4-5)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength to devote yourself to doing whatever is good (v1, 8)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Comments