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Titus Chapter Three 1) What did Paul tell Titus to remind the people to do who are subjected to rulers and authorities?
______________________________________________________________________________ As Christians, our first allegiance is to Jesus as Lord, but we must obey our government and its leaders as well. Christians are not above the law. Obeying the civil law is only the beginning of our Christian responsibility; we must do what we can to be good citizens. In a democracy, this means participation and willingness to serve. (See Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1ff for more on the Christian's attitude toward government.) 2) At one time, what did Paul say we were, and how did we live?
______________________________________________________________________________ Following a life of pleasure and giving in to every sensual desire leads to slavery. Many think freedom consists in doing anything they want. But this path leads to a slavish addiction to sensual gratification. A person is no longer free, but is a slave to what his or her body dictates (2Peter 2:19). Christ frees us from the desires and control of sin. Have you been released? 3) When the kindness and love of our Savior appeared, why did he save us, how did he save us, why did God pour out the Holy Spirit on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, what did Paul say this saying was, why did Paul want to stress these things, and what did Paul say these things were for everyone?
______________________________________________________________________________ Paul summarized what Christ does for us when
he saves us. We move from a life full of sin to one where we are led by God's
Holy Spirit. All our sins, not merely some, are washed away. Washing
refers to the water of baptism, which is a sign of salvation. In becoming a
Christian, the believer acknowledges Christ as Lord and recognizes Christ's
saving work. We gain eternal life with all its treasures. We have
renewal by the Holy Spirit, and he continually renews our hearts. None of
this occurs because we earned or deserve it; it is all God's gift. 4) Why does Paul say to avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law?
______________________________________________________________________________ Paul warned Titus, as he warned Timothy, not
to get involved in foolish and unprofitable arguments (2Timothy 2:14). This does
not mean we should refuse to study, discuss, and examine different
interpretations of difficult Bible passages. Paul is warning against petty
quarrels, not honest discussion that leads to wisdom. As foolish arguments
develop, it is best to turn the discussion back to a helpful direction or
politely excuse yourself. 5) When did Paul say to warn a divisive person, after the second warning, what did Paul say to do, and what did Paul say such a man is?
______________________________________________________________________________ A person must be warned when he or she is causing division that threatens the unity of the church. This warning should not be a heavy-handed action, but it is intended to correct the individual's divisive nature and restore him or her to fellowship. A person who refuses to be corrected should be put outside the fellowship. As Paul said, that person is "self-condemned"-he or she is sinning and knows it. (See also Matthew 18:15-18 and 2Thessalonians 3:14, 15 for help in handling such problems in the church.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6) Who did Paul say he was going to send to Titus, and for what reason did Paul tell Titus to come to him at Nicopolis?
______________________________________________________________________________ The city of Nicopolis was on the western coast of Greece. Artemas or Tychicus would take over Titus's work on the Island of Crete so Titus could meet Paul in Nicopolis. Tychicus was one of Paul's trusted companions (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7). Titus would have to leave soon because sea travel was dangerous in the winter months. 7) Who did Paul tell Titus to help along the way and to see that they had everything they need?
______________________________________________________________________________ Apollos was a famous Christian preacher. A native of Alexandria in North Africa, he became a Christian in Ephesus and was trained by Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28; 1Corinthians 1:12). 8) For what reason did Paul say our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, who did Paul say sends Titus greetings, who did Paul say to greet, and what did Paul say to be with Titus?
______________________________________________________________________________ The letters of Paul to Titus and Timothy are his last writings and mark the end of his life and ministry. These letters are rich treasures for us today because they give vital information for church leadership. They provide a strong model for elders, pastors, and other Christian leaders as they develop younger leaders to carry on the work, following Paul's example of preparing Timothy and Titus to carry on his ministry. For practical guidelines on church leadership and problem solving, carefully study the principles found in these letters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1) be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is
good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true
humility toward all men ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |