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Truth at Home - Titus 2
“Because I told you” worked as an incentive to do something when we were young children who accepted everything our parents told us. But as we grew into teenagers, it was no longer a sufficient reason for changing our actions. We wanted to know why and needed a greater incentive.
Being the rational people we are as human beings, we need to know not only how we ought to behave as Christians, but also why. We certainly need instructions about the kind of people we ought to be, but we also need incentives. So what is Christian behaviour? And what are its grounds? These questions below to each other, and Titus 2 is an outstanding example of this double theme.
(Bible Passage - Titus 2)
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3 | the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— | ||
4 | and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, | that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, | |
5 | to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. | to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. | |
6 | Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. | Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, | |
7 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, | in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, | |
8 | and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. | sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. | |
9 | Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, | Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, | Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, |
10 | and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. | not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. | not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. |
11 | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, | Trained by Saving Grace 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, | |
12 | training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, | teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, | |
13 | waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, | looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, | |
14 | who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. | who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. | who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. |
15 | These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. | Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. |
Open
What motivates you to change your behaviour? Why?
Study
Read Titus 2:1-10, From the activites of false teachers, Paul turned to Titus’ responsibilities as a true teacher. In fact the opening words of Chapter 2, which the NIV did not translate, are “but as for you,” emphasizing Titus’s distinctive role in contrast to them. In this case, Titus was to behave in a way that is entirely unlike the false teachers. They professed to know God but denied him by their actions (1:16). They failed to practice what they preached. In Titus, however, there was to be no dichotomy in his teaching between belief and behaviour. “But as for you,” Paul wrote, “you must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (v.1).
Questions
1. Paul gave specific instructions for five groups of people in addition to Titus. List each group along with what Paul told Titus to teach them.
1.
Group | Teaching | |
(v.2) | ||
(v. 3-4) | ||
(v. 4-5) | ||
(v. 6) | ||
(v. 7-8) | ||
(v. 9-10) |
2. What Instructions are given specifically for Titus?
We human beings seem to be imitative by nature. We need models; they give us direction, challenge and inspiration. Paul did not hesitate to offer himself as an apostle, for the churches to imitate. “Folllow my example,” he wrote, “as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). And Paul expected both Timothy and Titus to provide a model which the churches could follow.
3. Why did Paul give all of these instructions?
Three times in these verses about the Christian behaviour of different groups, Paul highlighted his concern about the effect of the Christian witness on the non-Christian world. In two of them he referred to Christian doctrine which is salvation doctrine. So either we give no evidence of salvation, in which case the gospel is tarnished, or we give good evidence of salvation by living a manifestly saved life, in which the gospel shines. Our lives can bring either adornment or discredit to the gospel.
4. How do we draw unbelievers to the gospel and our Saviour by the way we live?
5. What does your lifestyle reflect about your beliefs?
6. Read Titus 2:11-15. Paul moved on from duty to doctrine. His usual method was to begin with doctrine and then with a mighty “therefore” go on to its ethical implications. Here, however, the order is reversed. Paul began with ethical duties and, with a ringing “because”, laid down their doctrinal foundation. Describe the doctrine which is highlighted here.
7. What behaviour did Paul expect as a result of knowing this doctrine?
8. What is our motivation for godly living?
How can this encourage us today?
9. Why is teaching the truth so important?
10. What Charge did Paul give Titus? Why?
Apply
Find the group you belong to in verses 1-10. (Think of slaves as employees.) Which qualities do you need to learn?
How can you begin to develop one of them this week?
How can you help an older or younger Christian this week?
Pray
Pray that God will show you specific ways to make the gospel attractive to unbelievers and to follow through in helping an older or younger Christian this week.
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