Titus 1:1-16

Background

Titus was a convert, friend and helper of Paul’s. He was Greek, the son of Gentile parents. Unlike Timothy, Titus was not circumcised (Galatians 2:3). Yet, like Timothy, Titus was sent by Paul to minister to specific churches. First, he went to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6-16). Then, he was sent to Dalmatia (a region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea), which was another difficult area (2 Timothy 4:10). Finally, he went to pastor the church on Crete. We know very little of Titus from the Bible. According to ancient tradition, Titus returned to Crete in his old age, died and was buried there at the age of 94. [See also “Who Were Timothy and Titus?” in the Overview.]

Day One Study

To refresh your memory, read the letter to Titus.

1. Read Titus 1:1-4. Paul often introduced a letter with comments relevant to the letter’s message. Which words or ideas are included in this introduction that you may have also noticed in the whole letter to Titus? In other words, why do you think Paul is writing this letter?

2. Verse 1 speaks of the “truth that leads to godliness” (or “truth which is according to godliness”). Read the following passages and summarize what Jesus says is “truth.”

·         John 8:31-32—

·         John 14:6—

·         John 17:1-8—

·         John 17:17—

Summary:

3. According to John 14:16-18 and John 16:13-14, how does the believer continue to discern truth?

4. Read Titus 1:5. For what two purposes did Paul send Titus to Crete?

5. Review the qualifications of elders in Titus 1:6-9. In verses 6 & 7, what character trait did Paul use twice? Why do you think he emphasized this point?

Historical Insight: The Cretan character was proverbial in the ancient world. In Greek, to “Cretanize” meant to lie. The prophet Paul mentioned in verse 12 was Epimenides, a Cretan philosopher of the sixth century BC. Most educated men of Paul’s day had to study Epimenides. (Titus Lifechange Series Bible Study)

6. Read Titus 1:10-16 & 3:9-11. In contrast to the characteristics of an elder (given in verses 6-9), how does Paul describe the false teachers in Crete?

7. What kind of influence do false teachers have?

8. How did Paul want Titus to deal with these false teachers? Be sure to look at both passages from question 6. What is the goal of treating them in this manner?

9. Adorning Yourself: What can you do to avoid unprofitable discussions or “empty talk” and ensure healthy ones?

Day Two Study

10. “To the pure, all things are pure” (verse 15) is a statement that could easily be abused…either to excuse sin, or to judge/condemn others. Summarize these similar instructions given by Paul:

·         Romans 6:15—

·         Romans 14:1-3; 22—

·         1 Corinthians 6:12-13—

·         1 Corinthians 10:23-24—

11. In light of the previous passages, what do you think Paul means by, “To the pure, all things are pure”?

12. Compare what Paul says about false teachers to what Jesus says about the Pharisees in Mark 7:5-13 and Luke 11:42-44. How are the false teachers and Pharisees alike? How are they different?

13. According to Titus 1:16, how can a person who claims to know God actually be denying God?

14. Adorning Yourself: Reflect on verse 16 this week. Do your daily actions deny or reflect a relationship with God? Ask God to show you how you can better live a life that reflects your faith.

Think About It: Titus is a short epistle, but it contains such a quintessence of Christian doctrine, and is composed in such a masterly manner, that it contains all that is needful for Christian knowledge and life. (Martin Luther)

1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17-19

“There are approximately 500 verses on prayer (in the Bible), fewer than 500 on faith, but more that 2,350 verses on how to handle money. Moreover, Jesus Christ said more about money than any other subject.” (Crown Ministries Small Group Financial Study, pg. 9)

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-10. What does Paul say is truly “great gain,” according to 1 Timothy 6:6?

Scriptural Insight: Notice the irony in 1 Timothy 6:5 as Paul points out that these men who think that godliness is a means to financial gain are actually “robbed” or “deprived” of the truth themselves. The atmosphere surrounding those same men is described as being one of constant bickering or friction.

2. What is “contentment?” (Feel free to use a dictionary for help.)

3. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-8 again. Have you ever known anyone who was truly content (or came close to being content) with only the provisions listed in 6:8? Why do you think this is so rarely found in today’s culture?

4. Adorning Yourself: Has there ever been a time in your life when you were more content than you are now? Explain.

5. In 1 Timothy 6:7 Paul gives one reason for his statement in 6:6. What is this reason?

6. Read Philippians 4:11-13. What does Paul say about the issue of contentment here?

7. Adorning Yourself: Do you find yourself resentful of others and what they have, or discouraged by what you don’t have? Read the statement below (Life Application Bible Study Guide, pg. 122-123) and consider whether you want to be content and have done these things.

“To have contentment in Christ requires four decisions about events and possessions in our life. 1) Focus on what God has already allowed us to have. 2) Disregard what we do not have. 3) Refuse to covet what others may have. 4) Give thanks to God for each and all of His gifts.”

Day Two Study

8. Read 1 Timothy 6:9. To whom is this warning directed?

9. What dangers are listed here?

10. What is often the result of ignoring this warning in today’s world?

11. Read 1 Timothy 6:10.

·         What is a “root of all sorts of evil”?

·         According to the same verse, what two things often happen to people who eagerly seek after wealth?

·         Of the two, which do you think is worse? Why?

·         Which do you think people fear most? Why do you think so?

Focus on the Meaning: Paul warns strongly against “the love of money” (v. 10). He does not say that money itself is evil (nor does any other Scripture). Neither does he say that money is the fundamental root of evil, or that money lies at the root of every evil. Rather, the love of money (something inside people, not money itself) can be a root (but not the only root) of all kinds of evil but not of all evil. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 740)

12. Read the following verses in which God’s Word addresses the relationships of money and our hearts. Take time to think carefully about each verse then write a summary of what you’ve learned.

·         1 Chronicles 29:11,12—

·         Matthew 6:19-21; 24—

·         2 Corinthians 9:6-11—

Summary—

13. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. These verses give us an attitude adjustment and plan of action concerning money matters.

·         Who specifically are these instructions directed toward?

·         What are they not to do?

·         But instead, according to God’s plan, what specifically are we to do, and why are we to do these things?

14. According to 1 Timothy 6:17, why is putting our hope in God the only way to “richly” enjoy life?

15. Adorning Yourself: Make a list of a few things God has richly given you to enjoy.

16. Adorning Yourself: What kind of treasure do you think you’ve been storing up? What do you most want to accomplish with the money God has entrusted you with as you live out your life on earth?

1 Timothy 4:11-5:2

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 4:6-5:2 (4:6-10 is review from last lesson). 1 Timothy 4:11 says “command/prescribe and teach these things.” To which things does Paul refer?

2. Do you think this instruction is directed mostly just to pastors and teachers who read this passage, or does it apply to each of us? Why or why not?

3. Adorning Yourself: Do you share with others what you’ve learned—for instance, in this last week did you tell anyone else about something you had learned about God? Why or why not?

4. Read verse 12 again. This is a question on which we could spend many hours. It is instruction not just for the young but also for all ages. From this verse list 5 areas in which we can show ourselves examples as Christians.

Read the following verses to get a taste of what God’s Word has to say about the areas listed in the previous question. Summarize what you learn.

5. Speech:

·         Ephesians 4:25—

·         Colossians 3:8—

·         Colossians 4:6—

·         James 1:19—

·         Summary:

6. Conduct:

·         Philippians 1:27—

·         Colossians 4:5—

·         Hebrews 13:18—

·         Summary:

7. Love:

·         1 Corinthians 13:4-8—

·         1 Peter 4:8—

·         1 John 2:15—

·         Summary:

8. Faith:

·         Hebrews 11:1—

·         Romans 4:20-21—

·         James 1:3—

·         Summary:

9. Purity: The word for “purity” here comes from the Greek word hagneia meaning “moral cleanness”. In the Bible, it is only used here and in 1 Timothy 5:2. Using a dictionary, write a definition for moral cleanness. (Hint: Look up “moral” and “cleanness” separately, then put them together in your own definition.)

Day Two Study

10. Adorning Yourself:

·         Were you raised by parents who were good examples of people who believed in God? (Think in terms of the same 5 areas.) Explain.

·         How do you think this affects your life today?

11. Adorning Yourself: What are some of the best ways you’ve found to be a good example in these 5 areas? These can be examples from your own life or your observation of them in someone else’s life. (Write out 1 or 2 ways for each area.)

a.              Speech—

b.              Conduct—

c.              Love—

d.              Faith—

e.              Moral Purity—

12. Read 1 Timothy 4:13-16. These verses are full of instruction for the active Christian. Make note of the action in each verse and to whom the action is directed toward.

·         Verse 13—

·         Verse 14—                           

·         Verse 15—                           

·         Verse 16—                            

13. In 1 Timothy 4:15, Paul gives a reason for giving great energy to the spiritual disciplines listed above. What is his reason?

14. How could you define progress in your own Christian walk?

Think About It: Paul’s desire for Timothy was for Timothy “…to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians in every area of his life.” (The Bible knowledge Commentary New Testament by Walvoord and Zuck)

15. Adorning Yourself:

·         Looking back on your list from question 11, in which area(s) do you feel you are the strongest (best) example? The weakest example?

·         Choose one area you’d like to change or improve. Share this with your group so that they can pray alongside you. Pray for God’s spirit of discipline and power to show through in your life in such a way that if others patterned their lives after you (and it is most likely that at those closest to us—our family members, children, closest friends, etc—will be influenced by us) that their lives, too, will look more like Jesus is in them.

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 2:11-15. According to verse 11 what does Paul tell Timothy to “let a woman” do?

2. What does Paul say is not allowed?

Scriptural Insight: What does “remain quiet” mean? The Greek word hesuchia, used in verse 2, is also used in verses 11-12. In verse 11 it refers to how a woman is to receive instruction, usually translated “in quietness,” or “in silence,” or “quietly.” In verse 12, it refers to her role concerning teaching and is translated “quiet,” “silent,” or “in silence.” Review our discussion of hesuchia in a previous lesson. How this word is used elsewhere in the New Testament adds additional insight. In Acts 22:2, hesuchia carries the idea of having an attitude of tranquility and, therefore, being willing to listen. This concept of “being willing to listen in order to learn truth with a heart to obey” is seen in The Message translation: “I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do. They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else.” See also 2 Thessalonians 3:12 where it is translated in the New Living Translation as “settle down.” The opposite would be “always engaged in controversy and provoking negative responses.”

3. Whereas pagan women were rarely educated, all women, both Jew and Gentile, once they became Christians were carefully and freely instructed in the scriptures and became significant in the spread of the gospel and establishment of local churches. Read the following passages and discuss the roles we see women in the early church taking.

·         Acts 16:14-15; 40—

·         Acts 18:18, 26—

·         Romans 16:1—

·         1 Corinthians 16:19—

Historical Insight: A New Way to Worship—What is the proper way to worship God? For those who had grown up in the religious climate of Ephesus before the gospel, Christian worship called for altogether different behavior than they were used to practicing. So Paul offered guidelines for worship to the men and women in the Ephesian church (1 Timothy 2:8-15)…the gospel bore great fruit there and the community of believers grew rapidly. Yet some of the new converts brought their old way of life into the church and began teaching other doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3-7). When it came to worship, many were used to wild rites and festivals. Ephesian women were particularly unacquainted with public behavior, having been excluded for the most part from public gatherings, except pagan rituals.

So Paul described the correct way of worship. Men, who were apparently given to anger and doubts, needed to stop wrangling and start praying (v. 8). Likewise, women needed to focus on godliness and good works rather than clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles (vv. 9-10). And because some were apparently disruptive, they needed to practice restraint (v. 11)—not necessarily complete silence, but “quiet” (as the word is translated in 2 Thess. 3:12), since they likely participated in the prayers and other expressive parts of worship gatherings (compare 1 Cor. 11:5; Eph. 5:19). (The Word in Life Study Bible, pp. 734-735)

Day Two Study

4. The second part of 1 Timothy 2:11 addresses a woman’s attitude, using the words “all submissiveness” or “entire submission.” Look up the definition of “submission” in either a Bible dictionary or a regular dictionary. Write it out here.

5. Do you think the Bible’s view of submission is like the world’s view of submission? Why or why not?

6. Reread 1 Timothy 2:12-14. Read Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Corinthians 11:3, and Ephesians 5:21-33. What authority structures has God established?

7. Read 1 Peter 3:1-7. “Quiet” means “tranquility arising from within,” What are some of the benefits of having a “quiet” spirit with regards to a woman’s relationship with her husband?

8. Adorning Yourself: Is submission to God a problem area for you? Submission to what God’s word says? Submission to authority in general?

Historical Insight: (Most) women in the first century had no legal rights and very little public influence. How could they influence their unbelieving husbands to believe in God? Peter explained that in spite of such disadvantages, wives could still have a profound impact on their husbands. They could speak loudly for Christ—not through words, but through their behavior and their Christ-like character.…Human logic might suggest that a wife point out her husband’s weaknesses or verbalize spiritual principles for him to follow. But Peter sidesteps the flaws of these approaches, which tend to put men on the defensive. Instead, Peter recommends that wives disarm their disbelieving husbands and make them more receptive to the gospel by being gentle and quiet. (Adapted from The Quest Study Bible)

9. Adorning Yourself:

·         The first half of 1 Timothy 2:11 says women must “learn.” Do you consider yourself a learner, or a teachable person? Why or why not?

·         Have you ever asked anyone (who knows you well) if they thought you were teachable or not? If so, what did they say? If not, take some time this week to ask someone close to you this question.

10. Read 1 Timothy 2:15. Scholars are unsure of the meaning of verse 15 and consider it one of the most difficult New Testament verses to interpret. The Greek word translated “saved” can also be translated “healed”, “preserved”, or “deliverance from danger”. The danger doesn’t always mean physical danger but could be spiritual danger, something mentioned in both letters. False teaching, old wives tales, opposition to submission, and weak women being laden with guilt are among these spiritual dangers.

Here are several possible interpretations most commonly found to try and understand 1 Timothy 2:15:

·         Women will be kept physically safe through the process of childbirth. (This can’t be true because many Christian women have died in childbirth!)

·         Women will receive spiritual salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior. (This is not a plausible explanation because we are saved through His death and resurrection, not His birth!)

·         Women will be preserved from being deceived (as Eve was) and will be saved in honor and reputation through accepting the divinely ordained role of a helper to her husband and the bearer of children—embracing being a woman rather than striving to be like and compete with men. (This seems to be the most plausible explanation!)

Whatever Paul meant by the first part of this verse, the interpretation of it is further clouded by the phrase at the end: “if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety”. It could just mean this, “Do what you are designed to do as a woman but grow as a Christian!”

Since NO ONE REALLY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT Paul is trying to communicate, we will just leave this with the possible interpretations above.