19. Living in Response to God’s Grace

Titus 2:11-3:15

Day One Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace redeems us!

Much of this section of Titus has been covered in other lessons. This lesson will only cover new material. Paul repeatedly affirms the importance of God’s grace. In Titus 2:11-14, he discusses the three ministries of grace. We will look at each of these in depth in the following questions.

1. This is what grace has done for us in the past. (Titus 2:11 & 14a) What is the definition of redeem/redemption? Use a dictionary or Bible dictionary to help.

·         Redeem—

·         Redemption—

2. Read the following passages to see what the Bible says about redemption:

·         Romans 3:24—

·         Ephesians 1:7—

·         Colossians 1:13-14—

3. What is our condition (Titus 3:3) apart from God?

4. According to Ephesians 2:1-9, what does God do for us?

Scriptural Insight: In Ephesians 2, Paul gave a condensed but comprehensive account of salvation. Verses 4-7 are a single long sentence, which he may have taken from an early Christian creed. The whole sentence hinges on the main verb “he saved us” (verse 5). It is perhaps the fullest statement of salvation in the New Testament. (John Stott)

Day Two Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace reforms us!

5. This is what grace does for us in the present. How does God’s grace reform us according to Titus 2:12 & 14b?

6. Titus 3:1-2 illustrates behaviors generally exhibited by one who understands God’s grace. What seven qualities does Paul describe?

7. Read Ephesians 4:23 and Galatians 5:22-23; 25. According to these verses, what role does the Holy Spirit play in renewing and equipping believers?

8. Read the following verses to see in what other ways we can live in response to God’s grace working in us.

·         Ephesians 2:10—

·         Ephesians 4:1-3; 5:1-2—

·         Colossians 3:1-4—

9. In Titus 3:14 Paul says that we are to be a people who learn to engage in good works. Look up the definition of engage and write out what it means.

10. Read Titus 2:14; 3:1, 8, 14. We have been reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, says Paul (Titus 3:5). Why should this status motivate us to “devote ourselves to doing what is good” (3:8)?

Focus on the Meaning: “Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation whereby He gives a new life and nature to the believing sinner at the moment of salvation. The new birth (John 3:1-16) is the beginning of this new nature that becomes a part of the believing sinner the instant he or she receives Christ.” (Charles Swindoll)

11. Read Matthew 5:43-48 and 6:1-4. What did Jesus say about doing good?

12. Adorning Yourself: So if salvation is based on our faith and God’s grace and mercy, why would Paul exhort us to be devoted to or engage in good deeds?”

13. Adorning Yourself: Think of one person you know who is living a life reformed by God’s grace. What evidence of God’s reforming power working through His Spirit do you see in that person’s life?

Day Three Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace rewards us!

14. What is “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) from which all aims and priorities should flow? (Review 1 Timothy 1:1, and see also 1 John 3:1-3.)

16. What does it mean to you in Titus 3:7 when Paul says that we are heirs? Does this give you hope? Why?

17. Adorning Yourself: What does your life look like when you are truly living a life in response to God’s grace? What can you do to live your life even more richly in this way?

Think About It: In the human setting, heirs don’t inherit until the owner of the estate dies (though they may enjoy many benefits in the meantime). But in the spiritual realm the opposite occurs: We do not fully inherit until we have died; yet in this life we can experience many joys and benefits of being heirs of God. Our experience now is only a foretaste of what God has guaranteed to us in the future. (Life Application Bible Commentary)

http://feeds.bible.org/melanie_newton/adorn/Newton_Adorn_19.mp3
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