THE L.I.F.E. PLAN TITUS BLOCK 3. THEME 8 - THE PASTORAL LETTERS LESSON 3 (103 of 216)

Transcription

1 THE L.I.F.E. PLAN TITUS THEME 8 - THE PASTORAL LETTERS LESSON 3 (103 of 216)

2 THEME 8: THE PASTORAL LETTERS LESSON 3 (103 OF 216): TITUS LESSON AIM: Present Paul s letter to his disciple, Titus. SCRIPTURE: (Titus 1:16;3:8) Titus 1:16 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 3:8 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. The four letters currently under our consideration are called the pastoral epistles. Three of them are a trio of sorts while one of them stands alone. The letters to Timothy and Titus form a trio with the doctrine of the faith as the common dominator. To Timothy, Paul s exhortation concerning the deposit was to protect it and to preach it. To Titus, Paul s exhortation was to practice it in the daily life. Once again, Paul underscored the truth that belief effects behavior, and if one claims to be a believer in Christ, the teachings of faith in Christ should be evident in the way he lives his life each day. Titus was a convert of the Apostle Paul. Paul referred to him as his son in the faith. Throughout the LIFE lessons, we have stressed at times the parental role that characterizes disciple-making. Concepts that have to do with the natural family of man also hold true in the family relationship within disciple-making. We speak of things like spiritual reproduction, offspring, parenting, sons and daughters in the faith. From this we learn that our physical families stand as an ever present illustration and can teach us much about the role God has written for us to play in the lives of others. We can take on the responsibility of spiritual parenting in one of two ways. As it is in the natural world, we get children in one of two ways: reproduction or adoption. Titus was a personal convert of Paul. As a convert of Paul, he saw it as his responsibility to raise this son in the faith. This is the ideal way, that those who lead a person to Christ would also take on the responsibility of discipling him. Sometimes circumstances do not always allow for this to happen, but if at all possible, it is the best way. Paul took on the role of teaching, training, and developing Titus to find the specific way in which God would have him fulfill the great commission. This is what a disciple-maker is to do. Apparently God had equipped Titus with gifts, abilities, and skills in the area of diplomacy. He found success in dealing with people as we shall shortly see. Disciple-making works best within the sphere of an up-close, personal relationship. We have talked about the importance of the principle of presence. Paul took advantage of this principle in his relationship with Titus. The paths of Paul and Titus first came together between the first and second missionary journeys of Paul. Paul and Barnabas were sent to the church in Jerusalem to address a heresy of the Jews that threatened the purity of the gospel. Certain Jews were saying that the

3 gospel was fine as long as a person also received the act of circumcision practiced in Judaism. Of course, the true gospel is not Jesus also, but Jesus alone. Barnabas and his team, of which Titus was a member at the time, went up to Jerusalem to confront this perversion of the gospel. It was during this time together that Paul could train Titus to walk in the faith, preparing him to eventually be sent on assignment in the work of the ministry. On the mission to Jerusalem, Titus benefited from the time he was afforded to spend with Paul. He had the privilege of watching him work, hearing him teach, catching his vision, and of personalized instruction and guidance. Such an experience for any length of time is invaluable in the life of a disciple. The particular mission on which they went was perfect for Titus who already had a knack for dealing with people in conflicting situations and environments. This would also give him the experience he would need for future assignments as a part of Paul s network of capable ministers. Eventually, the time comes in the life of a disciple when he has to come out of the nest and try his own wings. As a matter of fact, this idea is built in to the disciplemaking process. Disciples are made to be sent. There is no such thing in the Bible as a believer being a perpetual student of Christ without ever joining in the work. Titus became one of Paul s most capable and trusted allies in the work. He was sent to places like Corinth where the work was difficult, to Dalmatia, and to Crete. From Crete, he was to establish pastors in the churches of the area. This means that Titus was to train these men in the same way that Paul had trained him. Thus, the reproduction process was continued through him. Paul also planned to meet with Titus in Nicopolis for further planning and expanding of the work. The message of the letter to Titus is simple. The overall theme of the letter is that salvation in Christ is to be accompanied by good works for Christ. According to the Bible, there ought not be any such thing as a Christian without a ministry. We are saved that we might be sent to do the work on behalf of the Lord Jesus. This idea is one that our adversary has twisted and used to give many people a false hope of salvation. Entire religions have been built on the premise that one can do good works in this life and capture the favor of God, atoning for his own sin. Nothing is farther from the truth. The truth is, good works do not bring salvation to the lost soul. On the other hand, another aim of the adversary is to convince believers that once they have truly believed on Christ unto salvation, they have no responsibility to do any work for God. So, we have Christians who are saved but sitting on the sidelines, not engaged in the work of forwarding obedience to the faith in all nations. Paul wrote to Titus to remind him and to have him remind others that one is saved in order to work. Good works do not bring salvation, but they are the result of and evidence to the fact that one has been saved. The two verses we have chosen as our theme verses for this lesson speak to this issue. In the first verse, Paul said that some claim to know God by their works. In the second verse, Paul said that those who do truly know God are to be reminded to do the work God has equipped and called them to do. This is the message Paul communicated to Titus in this letter. On a final note, Paul also encouraged Titus to remember that Jesus is coming back to the earth at some point. The Bible does not name the date on which this will occur. Instead, it conveys the idea that Christ s return is an imminent event; that is, it could happen at any moment. With the return of Christ at hand, it is imperative that the believer in Christ would be engaged in the work; first, to be obedient to Christ, and second, to be found working when Jesus comes. Paul s letter to Titus is a great encouragement to believers today to be about the purpose for which we were saved and called. Christ is coming again. Work til then.

4 LESSON OUTLINE THEME 8: THE PASTORAL LETTERS LESSON 3 (103 OF 216): TITUS TITUS: I THE MAN A. A convert of Paul B. A disciple of Paul II THE MINISTRY A. With Paul B. Sent by Paul III THE MESSAGE A. Salvation is accompanied by good works B. Christ is coming again SCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. Scriptures about Titus Acts 15 Titus 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6; 8:1-6, LINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION 1. ECCLESIOLOGY The beginning of the church The assigning of pastors in the early church 2. DISCIPLE-MAKING Paul s relationship with Titus 3. CHRISTOLOGY The second coming of Christ

5 QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY 1. What specific ministry was Titus good at? Dealing with people, diplomacy 2. To what places did Paul assign Titus to serve? Corinth, Crete, Dalmatia 3. What two disciple-making principles did Paul practice with Titus? The principle of presence; the principle of parenting 4. On which trip did Paul take Titus as a means of training him? To the church at Jerusalem 5. What was the issue to which they went to address? The Jews sought to add circumcision to the gospel of Christ as a part of salvation 6. List two methods of attack by the devil mentioned in this lesson. Have people believe they can be saved by good works; Have believers think they do not have to work after they are saved 7. What work are you doing since you have believed in Christ? Student response 8. Do you have a Titus in your life at this time? Student response

6 THEME 8: THE PASTORAL LETTERS LESSON 3 (103 OF 216): TITUS QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT 1. What specific ministry was Titus good at? 2. To what places did Paul assign Titus to serve? 3. What two disciple-making principles did Paul practice with Titus? 4. On which trip did Paul take Titus as a means of training him? 5. What was the issue to which they went to address? 6. List two methods of attack by the devil mentioned in this lesson. 7. What work are you doing since you have believed in Christ? 8. Do you have a Titus in your life at this time?