BL1 1-5. Scripture Study/Discussion

Titus Chapters 1-3

• Observation (O) • Interpretation (I) • Application (A)

[For the "inductive method of scripture study," please refer to Appendix II (II), page 170 of this course.]

1. Please quickly read Titus's letter once and outline the main points of the entire letter. (O)

Reading the entire letter in one go helps us gain an overall understanding of the text, which is also how the author originally hoped the recipient would comprehend it. A quick read takes about 5 minutes. If time is limited, you can go through the following outline with the students, highlighting the themes for each section. Please have the students pay attention to these points.

1) Greetings (I. 1:1-4)

2) Qualifications for Elders (I. 5-9)

3) Rebuke those who preach heresy (1:10-16)

4) Christian life and faith (2:1-3:8)

5) Final exhortation (3:9-11)

6) Giving instructions and greetings (3:12-15)

[Excerpt from: Bible Beads Commentary Edition (Revised Edition), Hong Kong, Evangelical Witness Association, 2000, p. 1755]

See also Appendix III of this course, Chart XIII: “Summary of the Book of Titus”, page 177.

2. How does Paul describe his identity and his relationship with the recipient Titus at the beginning of the letter (1:1-4)? (O)

1) Paul initially referred to himself as:

i. "Servants of God"“

ii. “Apostles of Jesus Christ”

iii. The "Trustees" of the Gospel“

2) In verse 4, Paul refers to Titus as “my true son according to our common faith.” It is very likely that Titus was the one Paul led to Christ.

3) To learn more about Titus, see the details of his life mentioned in Paul's letters: He was a Greek (Galatians 2:3), accompanied Paul to Jerusalem to meet with the local apostles (Galatians 2:1), and during Paul's third missionary journey, he was assigned to handle several important tasks at the Corinthian church (see 2 Corinthians 7:6, 8:6, 16, 12:18). Later, he was sent to Crete to oversee the church on behalf of the apostles (1:5). In this letter, Paul instructs him to go to Nicopopolis to meet (3:12), and afterwards he went to Talmud (2 Timothy 4:10). He was a good companion on Paul's missionary journey (2 Corinthians 8:23).

4. Paul and Titus were like father and son, but Paul begins his letter by calling himself "a servant of God" and "an apostle of Jesus Christ."What is the significance of this? How does it relate to the overall message of the book? (I)

1) Titus was always Paul's missionary companion and, more importantly, someone he cultivated to become a trustee of the gospel. As a worker of the Lord, one naturally needs to have the mindset of a servant. Paul's self-designation in this way was to set a good example for Titus. Since Paul was merely a servant of the Lord Jesus, he wanted Titus to emulate not himself, but the Savior Jesus Christ.

2) Paul calls himself an “apostle of Jesus Christ” because he was entrusted by “the command of the Savior” (1:3b). He first states that what he preaches is not from himself, but has divine authority.

3) Throughout the letter, Paul instructs Titus on how to build up the church, appoint church leaders, and establish principles of conduct for them; therefore, Paul must first state that his authority in teaching comes from God and the Savior Christ. Having received this mission, he also entrusts it to Titus.

4) Paul preached the word of God “by the faith of God’s chosen people and by the knowledge of the truth of godliness” (1:1). Paul may have also been targeting heretics who were preaching false doctrines (1:10, 14-15; 3:9); therefore, he also needed to emphasize the importance of a godly life and correct faith, and entrusted Titus with the task of building the church in this way.

5. What should we pay attention to when reading Paul's letters today? How can we avoid misunderstanding the main point of the letters? (O/I)

(Please review the video content and lecture notes, pages 2 and 3, 2 of this lesson.)

1) When reading Paul's letters, pay attention to his opening remarks. Paul usually reveals in the preface why he is writing the letter.

2) Paul’s description of his relationship with the recipient also reveals the tone of his letter and helps in understanding his message.

6. Today, letters are no longer the only medium of communication. What communication methods do you use with spiritual elders or juniors? (A)

1) Today's media is very diverse, and we can use email and telephone to communicate with people.

2) Paul’s concern, advice and guidance to Titus stemmed from his affection for Titus, which is why he took the time to express his feelings in writing.

3) Today in the church, we should focus more on the training of individual disciples, so that everyone is either a disciple being trained or a disciple trainer.

4) The church can use the “mentorship program” to edify, broaden the horizons of brothers and sisters who are eager to pursue spiritual growth, and grow together.

7. How should brothers and sisters or fellow workers in the church use Paul's care and reminders towards Titus as an example to encourage one another? (A)

1) This is a sharing question. Please share your experience in cultivating and following up with others who have led others to Christ, or share with each other the cultivation methods of your predecessors.

2) You can also share the difficulties or successes in cultivation as a way to encourage each other.