Titus: Titus, SC (Bibles/Bible study - Life change series) - Softcover

Tyndale House Publishers

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0891099115 ISBN 13: 9780891099116

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, 2018

Synopsis

To a faithful disciple establishing a young church, the Apostle Paul wrote earnestly of the need for Christians to put doctrine into practice�€”to behave in ways that would �€œmake the teaching about God our Savior attractive.�€� The 8 sessions of this Bible study of the book of Titus examine Paul�€™s guidance for choosing Christian leaders and training church members�€”an inspiring call for all Christians to live out their faith in good words prepared for God�€™s people. Includes study aids and discussion questions. If using in a group, personal study is needed between meetings.

About this title

From the Back Cover

TITUS. To a faithful disciple establishing a young church, the Apostle Paul wrote earnestly of the need for Christians to put doctrine into practice-to behave in ways that would "make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." Paul's guidance for choosing Christian leaders and training church members is an inspiring call for all Christians to live out their faith in good words prepared for God's people. LifeChange Series: Christians have a lifelong goal: to become like Christ. This involves change, and change isn't always easy. But the more you know of God's purposes for you, the more you can experience His joy and participate in His plan. The LifeChange Series of Bible studies on books of the Bible can help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God's Word. You'll benefit in these important ways: 1) You'll gain a firm understanding of the book-its historical context, purpose, structure, and meaning; 2) You'll apply its powerful, relevant wisdom to needs and issues you are currently working through; and 3) You'll acquire personal study skills and a thirst to return to the book on your own-so you can keep going deeper into its life-transforming truths.

Excerpt. � Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Titus

Guidance for choosing Christian leaders and forming godly church members.

By NavPress

NavPress

Copyright � 2014 The Navigators
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-89109-911-6

Contents

How to Use This Study, 5, 
Background — Paul and Titus, 9, 
Map of the Roman Empire, 9, 
Timeline of Paul's Ministry, 10, 
One — Overview, 13, 
Two — The Sent One (1:1-4), 21, 
Three — Titus's Mission (1:5-9), 29, 
Four — False Teachers (1:10-16), 39, 
Five — Practicing Godliness (2:1-10), 47, 
Six — Sound Doctrine (2:11-15), 57, 
Seven — Past and Present (3:1-11), 65, 
Eight — Last Words (3:12-15 and Review), 75, 
Study Aids, 83, 

CHAPTER 1

Lesson One

OVERVIEW

Left behind in Crete, Titus had a difficult task. Anyone who has been involved in reform or change knows what Titus was facing. Think what your response might be to a letter from a trusted friend or a pastor while in the midst of such a task.

First impressions

Read the book of Titus through at one sitting, as a letter from a friend, before going any further. Potentially confusing verses will be clearer later if you can see how they fit into Paul's overall message. You might want to read the letter again, perhaps comparing different translations.

1. Describe the mood (tone, feeling) of the letter. (Is Paul formal, intimate, angry, joyful ...?) If you think the mood changes anywhere, note where it changes. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2. What do you notice about the style of this letter? (Is Paul describing, giving instructions, trying to persuade ...? Is he writing a story, a personal message, a sermon ...?) ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. Repetition is a clue to the ideas a writer considers most important to his message. What words or ideas occur over and over in this letter? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Broad outline

4. Reread the letter, preferably in a different translation. This time, think of a short phrase or sentence to describe what you think each main section is about. (Below are the divisions according to the NIV. Feel free to change them or add more.)

1:1-4___________________________________ ________________________________________

1:5-16__________________________________ ________________________________________

2:1-15__________________________________ ________________________________________

3:1-11__________________________________ ________________________________________

3:12-15_________________________________ ________________________________________

Background

5. Read the background on Paul and Titus if you have not already done so.

Study Skill — Cross-References

Other passages of Scripture can often shed light on what you are studying. These are called cross-references.

6. Read 2 Corinthians 2:13, 8:23, and Titus 1:4. Summarize what these verses tell you about Paul's relationship to Titus. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7. What do you learn about Titus' character from the following passages in 2 Corinthians?

2 Corinthians 7:13-15___________________ ________________________________________

2 Corinthians 8:16-17___________________ ________________________________________

2 Corinthians 12:17-18__________________ ________________________________________

Purposes/themes

8. From Titus 1:5–2:1, briefly describe the situation that evidently prompted Paul to write to Titus. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

9. What do you think are the main themes of this letter? (What was Paul trying to get across to Titus?) Your answer to questions 3 and 4 may point to some themes. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

10. Looking for an author's purpose in his writing can usually help us find his main message. How would you summarize your current impression of Paul's purpose in this letter? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Your response

11. In your initial reading of Paul's letter to Titus, you may have come across concepts you'd like clarified, or you may have thought of questions you'd like answered as you go more deeply into this study. While your thoughts are still fresh, you may want to jot down your questions here to serve as personal objectives for your study of the letter.

________________________________________ ________________________________________

Study Skill — Application

The last step of Bible study is asking yourself, "What difference should this passage make in my life? How should it make me want to think or act?" Application will require time, thought, prayer, and perhaps even discussion with another person.

There are a variety of ways to approach application. At one time you might list as many implications of a Scripture as you can. You can look back at this list frequently for several days and think about ways to act on the implications. At another time, you might concentrate on one specific application, giving it careful thought and prayer and committing yourself to it. At another time you might just meditate on something the Scripture says about God, giving Him thanks and worship and asking Him to teach you to know Him better.

12. Did anything in your first reading of Titus especially encourage you to change or persevere in some area of your life? If so, write down this insight here, along with any implications you think it should have for your life. In prayer, consider whether there is anything you can do to act on these implications with God's help. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

For the group

The beginning of a new study is a good time to lay a foundation for honest sharing of ideas, for getting comfortable with each other, and for encouraging a sense of common purpose. One way to establish common ground is to talk about what each group member hopes to get out of your group — out of your study of Titus, and out of any prayer, singing, sharing, service, outreach, or anything else you might do together. You could take about fifteen minutes at the beginning of your meeting to give each person a chance to express his or her vision for the group. If you have someone write down each member's hopes and expectations, then you can look back at these goals later to see if they are being met.

After that, you might approach your overview in the following way:

First impressions of the book (questions 1–3) — 10 minutes

Background on Paul and Titus (questions 5–7) — 5 minutes

Outline (question 4) — 5 minutes

Themes and goals (questions 8–10) — 10 minutes

Group members' questions (question 11) — 5 minutes

Examples of how you might apply something in Titus (for members who are less familiar with doing this) — 10 minutes

Don't feel you must follow this structure or its time allotments rigidly; it is just a model for how to go about structuring a discussion. Also, be aware that some people are better than others at outlining, seeing themes, and so on. Some people are better at close analysis of a verse, or at seeing how a Scripture applies to their lives. Give thanks for each other's strengths, and don't be embarrassed to give and request help.

Traveling Teachers

Travel was safe in the Roman Empire, and knowledge of the exotic, the mysterious, and the sophisticated was prized everywhere. Accordingly, a steady stream of wandering teachers and prophets circulated among the cities. They promised skills for success, the secret of the good life, higher wisdom, or worship of the true god. Some arrived with shaven heads and colored robes, bearing an idol on a litter. Others came in the simple robe, full beard, and sandals of the traditional philosopher. Some prophesied ecstatically in the streets or shouted at passers-by. Some worked miracles and healings. Others gave stirring speeches, and still others taught quietly, but all worked in public places where they could find followers.

People loved to hear new things, but only because they wanted to be entertained or to escape their daily lives. They were used to experimenting with a new philosophy or cult whenever an old one lost its freshness or seemed not to be producing the desired results.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Titus by NavPress. Copyright � 2014 The Navigators. Excerpted by permission of NavPress.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0891099115
• ISBN 13: 9780891099116
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 98