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Here’s an inductive study of the book of Titus by Dwell teacher Jim Leffel. For an explanation of this approach to epistle study, click here.

Titus: Studies in Truth and Transformation

Contents

Titus Introduction and Overview Titus 1:1-4 Paul: Transforming Leadership Titus 1:5-9 Elders: Transforming Church Leadership Titus 1:9-16 Facing False Teaching Titus 2:1-10 Transforming Relationships Titus 2:11-14 God Our Savior Titus 3:1,2 Transforming Society Titus 3:4-8 The Kindness of God Our Savior

Introduction to Titus

Author

Paul to Titus (1:1,4; 3:12)

Purpose of the letter

Stated purpose (1:5)

Circumstances of the letter:

	Paul	Titus	Others
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three

Discussion: What observations do you have about the situation of the church in Crete? What are the problems you can identify?

Some background on Crete and Cretans

Multi-cultural island with long history. Zeus and Hera: storm god and goddess of marriage. Moral implications of religious belief (1:12).

Discussion: How do religions that make nature a god affect people and their spiritual longings?

How the church in Crete began: Acts 2:11

Main themes of the letter — repeated words and issues

Savior and salvation6 times

redemption, regeneration, blessed hope, purified possession, justified, heirs

Good works9 times

deeds, words

Transformed relationships — where change happens

Understanding leadership and authority in the church

Understanding household, Christian community, and social responsibilities

Titus 1:1-4 — Paul: Transforming Leadership

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

In the introduction, Paul refers to himself in three ways. This helps us understand how he defines the heart of spiritual leadership:

Servant of the Lord
Apostle of Jesus Christ
Father to Titus

These three descriptions provide a model for our leadership.

Main Point

Introduction of Paul

Supporting points

Servant of God (1:1)

Apostle of Jesus Christ (1:1-3)

for the faith of those chosen by God

and for the knowledge of the truth

according to God-likeness (eusebia)

in the hope of eternal life (zoe)

which God, who cannot lie, promised from eternity

but now at the proper time is revealed in the message Paul was entrusted to proclaim

according to the calling of God our Savior

To Titus my true child in the faith (1:4)

Grace and peace from God

the Father of Christ Jesus our Savior

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Notes on theology:

Each of these descriptions of God help us understand the basis of our faith—why we can rely on God.

How differently we can look at the world, our lives, and our work if our faith is rooted in these amazing truths!

How different this is from the spirits of traditional African religion.

What do we learn about God?

God chooses and calls

God gives hope of eternal life

God can not lie

God promises from eternity

God reveals

God is Father of our Savior Christ Jesus

What do we learn about the life God offers?

Grace and peace

Paul understands who God has called him to be as a spiritual leader:

Applications

What does it look like to lead as a servant?

What are the characteristics of Christ’s servant leadership? What examples do you see? What examples are especially challenging to you?
Why do you think being a servant is so central to a leader’s role?

Why is it important that leaders understand their calling?

Paul always introduces himself in letters as “Paul, an apostle.” Is it important that leaders know the role God calls them to? Why or why not? Can you think of a particular situation where this is especially valuable?

Who are you pouring your life into?

Multiplication is the strategic center of leadership. Who is next to fill your role? What would happen to this ministry if we neglected the 2 Timothy 2:2 principle?
The work of God is organic—it grows within us through relationships. Who is the “Titus” in your life? Describe what it means to treat this person as a son?

Titus 1:5-9 — Transforming Church Leadership

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

Elders are selected by their character to lead the Christian community. The term “elder” comes from the Jewish synagogue, in which a group of elders leads the community.

Note that leadership is shared among qualified people—the principle of plural leadership.

Main Point

Appoint elders in every city

Supporting points

Why is Titus to appoint elders? (1:5)

Choice of elders is based on: (1:6-9)

above accusation — husband of one wife, children at home who believe, not accused of rebellious behavior

above accusation as a steward — not self-willed, not easily angered, not addicted to wine, not a fighter, not greedy

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just and devout, self-controlled

holding to the word of God

able to teach with sound doctrine

able to correct those in error

Theology — what does the passage mean?

What do we learn about God?

Leadership matters to God and is vital to his work in the world.

God values integrity most in a leader’s character, more than charisma.

Authority to lead comes from God’s word—an important emphasis here.

Discussion: Why do you suppose leadership is always described as a group of people?

What do we learn about the life God offers?

Leaders have an important task to perform. The qualities Paul describes for elders are the same qualities we would expect to see from any mature Christian.

Consider the three aspects of eldership Paul brings to Titus:

Applications

Since no one is perfect, how do you decide on a potential elder?

What processes do you use to identify church elders?

A vision for Christian leadership

In a related passage, 1 Timothy 3:1, Paul says, “If someone aspires to the office of elder, they are desiring a good thing.” How do we motivate people to a position of leadership? What might be a problem in motivating people to leadership?

Titus 1:9-16 — Facing False Teaching

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

We should not be surprised that people believe things that are not true. Remember that Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) who deceives even those who believe (2 John 1:7). So what should a Christian leader do?

Refute false teaching
Reprove false teachers
Look to deeds to reveal false teaching

Main Point

Sound teaching to correct falsehoods (1:9)

Supporting points

Refute the deceivers (1:10)

from the Jewish community

Silence the deceivers who upset whole families (1:11)

spreading falsehood for the sake of profit

Cretans are known to be liars (1:12)

Reprove so they may return to the faith (1:13,14)

and turn away from manmade rules and myth

Conscience can be defiled by falsehood (1:15)

Deeds show the truth about who knows God (1:16)

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Notes on theology:

Think about how important truth is in the Bible:

Salvation means coming to a knowledge of the truth (Romans 10:17)
Sanctification comes through knowing and applying God’s truth (John 17:17)
Freedom comes from the truth (John 8:31)
We are to have truth-based relationships (Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 5:19)

What do we learn about God?

God opposes falsehood, desiring all people to know the truth (1:1)

God’s truth is sound (hugiaino), “healthy, whole”

This truth produces good deeds and godliness (1:1,16)

What do we learn about the life God offers?

The leadership God calls us to is rooted in the Bible and is meant to be used to protect God’s people from lies.

Knowing God’s word, how to interpret it correctly, and how to speak to falsehoods is essential.

Applications

What are the main areas of leadership development?

Paul tells Titus that elders are to be able to encourage in sound doctrine and correct those who believe errors (Titus 1:9). How can we train effective leaders in the knowledge and teaching of scripture?

Assignment: What are three of the most common forms of religious deception you see in your ministry?

False teaching: Prosperity Gospel

What are the claims of the prosperity gospel?

Summarize what it teaches
Why is this false teaching attractive?

What are the results of this false teaching?

How does the Bible address this kind of false teaching?

What Bible passages are relevant?
What would you say to a church that has been exposed to this false teaching?
What is the Bible’s alternative to the prosperity gospel?

False teaching: Legalism

What are the claims of legalism?

Summarize what it teaches
Why is this false teaching attractive?

What are the results of this false teaching?

How does the Bible address this kind of false teaching?

What Bible passages are relevant?
What would you say to a church that has been exposed to this false teaching?
What is the Bible’s alternative to legalism?

Titus 2:1-10 — Transforming Relationships

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

Teachers are to speak Biblical truth to the life circumstances of people in the church:

Older men
Older women
Younger women
Younger men
Servants

Each situation in life is an opportunity to grow in Christ and effectively serve the Lord.

Main Point

Teach healthy doctrine relating to life-situations
in the Christian community (2:1)

Supporting points

Older men (2:2)

what kind of character is the priority?

Older women (2:3)

what kind of character is the priority?

Younger women (2:4,5)

what kind of character is the priority?

Younger men (2:6-8)

what kind of character is the priority?

Servants (2:9,10)

What kind of character is the priority?

for the purpose of adorning the gospel

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Notes on the Christian life:

To every type of person, Paul gives both a caution and a positive vision.

Effective leadership helps to apply the Bible to peoples’ lives, helping them see that even in the face of challenges, God has a purpose for them.

What do we learn about God?

Sound teaching of God’s word relates to every stage of life.

Christians responding to healthy Bible teaching are “living proof” of the gospel message as we “adorn the gospel.”

What do we learn about the life God offers?

God has a purpose for us in each stage of life:

	Priority	Purpose
Old Men	temperate, sound in faith, love and perseverance
Old Women	reverent, teaching young women	“so that”… young women will be encouraged
Young Women	love children and husband, be subject to your husband, sensible and pure	“so that”… God’s word will not be dishonored
Young Men	example of good deeds, sound in doctrine and speech, beyond accusation	“so that”… opponent will be silenced, having nothing bad to say about Christians
Servants	be subject to masters, be pleasing, show good faith	“so that”… adorn the truth about our God and Savior

Applications

What would it look like to invest in people at these stages of life in your home church?

Can you see how every member is important to the life of the church?

Now is your moment in life where transformation happens!

What does God have for your growth in this stage of your life?
What are the responsibilities, rather than your rights, at this stage of life?
We must know that we are living for a greater purpose. The transformation God is working in your life is the kind of change others who do not know Christ eagerly desire.
Home churches are full of life and effective when each member is being transformed. We must celebrate God’s goodness and power among us.

Titus 2:11-14 — God Our Savior

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

This, along with Titus 3:4-7, is one of the greatest descriptions of salvation in the Bible. Consider here:

Need for salvation
Power of salvation
Terms of salvation
Scope of salvation

Main Point

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation
to all people (2:11)

Supporting points

the blessed hope (2:13)

redemption (2:14)

purified people of God’s possession (2:14)

zealous for good deeds (2:14)

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Key Theology:

Each member of the trinity is involved in our salvation. We can see the Father (2:11), the Son (2:13) and the Spirit (3:5) all working together in the work of salvation.

Each aspect of salvation in 2:11-14 and 3:5-7 heals what is broken in people apart from God.

What do we learn about God?

God is our Savior (1:3, 4; 2:10,13; 3:4,6)

Christ is both God and Savior (2:13)

Salvation is: revealed, by Grace (see Ephesians 2:8,9), available to all people (see 1 Timothy 2:3,4)

What do we learn about the life God offers?

What are we saved from? And what changes does salvation bring?

	The need	Salvation
Hope	Hopelessness. Without our savior there is no way to face death. Does judgment await? Do I cease to exist?	Christ’s triumphal return brings true hope. Death is conquered. An anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).
Redemption	Guilt. Guilt is a debt we can’t pay. Guilt is everyone’s problem (Romans 2:1). Apart from God, we are under judgment (Hebrews 9:27).	God is our Redeemer (Isaiah 49:7). Christ offered himself for our redemption as a substitute for our guilt (1 Peter 3:18); our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
God’s purified people	Alienated. Can I be fully known and fully accepted?	Everyone is welcome! All the nations called by my name (Amos 9:2). All tribes and nations present with Christ as his bride (Revelation 5:19; 19:7; 22:1-5).
Zealous for good deeds	Purposelessness. What difference does it make what I do with my life? The problems of the world are too big to fix.	Eager to do good. 9 times in this letter, Paul instructs us to “good deeds.” This is the out-working of real faith in God our Savior. As Jesus said, “She who has been forgiven much, loved much” (Luke 7:47).

Applications

Paul ends the paragraph saying Titus should “speak and exhort and reprove with all authority.”

Yes, the gospel is good news. And news must be shared. Because it is God’s word, we can speak with great boldness, calling people to turn to God. Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe” (Romans 1:16).
It is crucial that everyone in our home churches knows how to share the gospel effectively. Describe the training you do for evangelism.

A new motivation for life

Paul says, “the love of God controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Moved by gratitude for all that God has given to each of us, we have a longing to know him more fully and to be used by him as completely as possible in this life.

Titus 3:1,2 — Transforming Society

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

The transformation theme in this letter relates to all aspects of life: the individual transformed in salvation, the meaning of leadership, the home and Christian community. In this passage, Paul calls on Christians to “good deeds” on behalf of others in society. The gospel can transform society.

Main Point

Obligations to the government (3:1)

Supporting points

Be subject, ready for every good deed (3:1)

by maligning no one (3:2)

being a gentle peacemaker (3:2)

showing respect for all people (3:2)

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Key Theology:

How Christians show the love of God in and through the church is a powerful witness for the gospel.

All real, sustained change goes through the church.

Christian presence in Africa is both tragic and hopeful.

Christians should be cautious about publicly supporting any particular political party.

What do we learn about God?

God and government (see Romans 13:1,4): bad government is better than no government. Limits on obedience (see Acts 4:19,20).

“Doing good” is a positive obligation: yeast and the kingdom of God (Luke 13:21). Where did Jesus go to “do good”? Living in exile (Jeremiah 29:17). Why society needs Christians.

What do we learn about the life God offers?

God calls on Christians to be aware of negative inner attitudes toward government (3:2).

Discussion: What are some of the attitudes you struggle with relating to the government?

Three important principles relate to Paul’s call to Christian attitudes toward the government:

Emphasis on Christian conduct relates to how we affect others. This is not a call to personal moral living, but life lived before God that touches the lives of others.

Conclusions will be made about Christianity based on these imperatives. For example, in the family, it is the respectful behavior of a Christian wife to her non-Christian husband that will help him see the truth of the gospel (1 Peter 3:1-4).

People you disagree with must still know that you love them. Jesus calls on us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:43-48).

Applications

Paul calls on the church to be “ready for every good deed.”

Can you think of specific ways even the poorest church can do good in the community or village?
What are ways churches are currently doing good now?
Can you think of opportunities to move toward needs like Jesus did?

Titus 3:4-8 — The Kindness of God Our Savior

Structure — what is the passage about?

Central Idea:

This paragraph, along with 2:11-14, is a wonderful summary of the meaning of salvation. What does it mean to be saved?

regeneration
justification
heirs of the hope of eternal life

3:4-8 beautifully connects God’s heart, his inner motivations, to the work of salvation. What a great Savior we have!

Main Point

Saved by the kindness and love of our Savior (3:4)

Supporting points

how we are saved — by God’s mercy, not our good deeds (3:5)

how we are saved — by washing of regeneration and renewing by the Spirit (3:5)

how we are saved — by the Spirit poured out on us through Jesus, Messiah and Savior (3:6)

how we are saved — by justification as a gift (3:7)

how we are saved — by becoming heirs of the hope of eternal life (3:7)

Conclusion: a trustworthy statement spoken in confidence (3:8)

those who put faith in God will be careful to do good deeds, things that are profitable to others

Theology — what does the passage mean?

Key Theology:

Paul’s beautiful description of the heart of God gets to the center of the Bible’s revelation. What motivates God to act in history? Who is God at the core of his being? Note the similarity with Exodus 34:6,7.

What do we learn about God?

God our Savior: kindness and love (3:4), mercy (3:5), poured out—God’s generosity (3:6).

“The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6,7).

The blessings of salvation:

Washing of regeneration and renewal through the Holy Spirit (3:5,6). Clean means pure, no longer defiled (see 1 Corinthians 6:11). Regeneration means to be made new. The gospel doesn’t call us to a better life, but a new life, a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Remember that Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:3,7). Renewal by the Holy Spirit relates to the transformation brought on by the new creation we have become in Christ.

Justification (3:7). Justified means being made wholly acceptable, without defect. This comes to us by God’s grace, as a gift, not by works (Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 3:24). Being justified, we share in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is more than being forgiven; it is the moral perfection of Christ given to us as a new creation. One day, freed from this broken world, we will fully see our Christlikeness: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Heirs (3:8). The gospel blesses us with inclusion into God’s family (John 1:12). “[Our adoption as God’s children] is the highest privilege that the gospel offers: higher even than justification… Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship—he establishes us as his children and heirs.” —J.I. Packer, Knowing God

What do we learn about the life God offers?

God wants his heirs to speak confidently about the gospel (3:8). Confident to approach God (Ephesians 3:12). Confident that he who began this work will complete it (Philippians 1:6). Confident Christians are compelling in their testimony (Acts 4:13,29).

Engaging in good deeds which are profitable to people (3:8). One indication of a person’s new life in Christ is the motivation and power to live a new life. The life God calls his children to is one that reflects his good and generous character. So we, as God’s people, will be known by works that meet real needs and glorify God.

Applications

What should we do with this wonderful news about our salvation?

The most natural and obvious thing is to praise God for his generosity. What an amazing privilege we have to be made his children!
Give yourself to God as an act of worship to him: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1,2).
Boldly tell your story and the story of the gospel!