FALL 2018 LEADER GUIDE

Transcription

1 FALL 2018 LEADER GUIDE WELCOME HOME HOW TO PRAY

2 LEADING SOMEONE TO THE GREATEST DECISION OF ALL One of the great joys of leading a group in Bible study is seeing group members deepen their walk with Christ. Everyone s walk with Christ begins with an initial decision to follow Him in repentance and faith. People may be in your group who have not made that decision yet. Take advantage of your time with them to talk about becoming a Christian. As you tell your own story about coming to Christ, share these key truths: 1. We are all sinners, and each of us needs to acknowledge before God that we are sinners. That acknowledgement involves repentance, which is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Refer to Romans 3:23; 6:23; and Acts 3: The only way a person can receive the gift of forgiveness is by faith in Jesus as God s Son. Use verses like Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 14:6 when talking about faith in Christ. 3. Confessing your faith in Jesus Christ means confessing Him as Savior and Lord. Share Romans 10:9-10,13. Invite the person to pray a prayer similar to this: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against You in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sin and only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. A Special Note about Authentic Joy (p. 62). As your group studies and discusses 1 Thessalonians 1, use it as an opportunity to lead unsaved group members to faith in Christ. Use Looking for Joy in Your Life? on the inside front cover of the Personal Study Guide to connect Authentic Joy with each member s own need to trust Christ and receive His gift of salvation. The inside cover is a guide for understanding how Jesus is the source of joy and eternal life.

3 CONTENTS Don t Miss This! A Word from Our Team Using Bible Studies for Life... 6 Prayer Requests Discipleship Plan Article: Excerpt from We re Glad You re Here Welcome Home: Connecting and Engaging People in Your Church SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF. Introduction September 2 Session 1 Reality Check September 9 Session 2 Open Arms September 16 Session 3 Gracious Hospitality Article: Hospitality as a Spiritual Gift September 23 Session 4 Intentional Love September 30 Session 5 Authentic Joy October 7 Session 6 Going Out Article: How to Frustrate a Guest Article: 4 Ways to Make Learning More Visual How to Pray... Introduction October 14 Session 1 The Object of Our Prayer Article: The Church s Use of the Lord s Prayer October 21 Session 2 A Prayer of Praise October 28 Session 3 A Prayer of Surrender November 4 Session 4 Praying for Ourselves November 11 Session 5 Praying for Others November 18 Session 6 A Prayer of Confession November 25 Session 7 A Prayer of Thanksgiving Coming in Winter BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 3

4 Don t miss this! Blog Every week, you ll find helpful add-ons and additional suggestions in our Leader Extra posts. You ll also find teaching tips, links to magazine articles, insights from our editorial team, and sermon outlines to complement every session. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Commentary Dig deeper into Scripture with the The Herschel Hobbs Commentary. It features in-depth Bible exposition on the passages studied in this book. EXTRA! Every week, you ll find additional suggestions and helpful add-ons for your group, as well as links to both magazine articles and the One Conversation page for parents. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide Volume 6, Number 1 Fall 2018 ERIC GEIGER Senior Vice President, LifeWay Resources LYNN H. PRYOR Team Leader CHRIS JOHNSON Content Editor KEN BRADDY Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies MICHAEL KELLEY Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by to chris.johnson@lifeway.com or mail to: Bible Studies for Life: KJV Adults Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the web at Printed in the United States of America. Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay. This Leader Guide is designed for leaders of senior adults ages 70 and up. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter, and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit com/doctrinalguideline. The following writers contributed to the commentary for the Welcome Home study: Rick Ezell, Coye Still, Bryan Beyer, and Tan Flippin. Argile Smith wrote the commentary for the How to Pray study. For fourteen years Argile served as professor of preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He received degrees from William Carey College (B.A.) and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). Argile and his wife Connie have three sons. He enjoys traveling, writing, and fishing. For ordering or inquiries, visit call (800) , or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB ), Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

5 A Word from Our Team The Bible Studies for Life Team Aging parents. Cancer. Dementia. Children s marriages. The births of children and grandchildren. These are just some of the life issues that our Bible Studies for Life team has faced recently. With the Lord s help, we do our best to handle life s circumstances both favorable and difficult in ways that honor Christ. I can only imagine some of the things that you and others in your group have faced recently. I am thankful that we all have Bible study groups that love us, support us, pray for us, and encourage us as we journey through life together. I am excited that you are joining us for the study Welcome Home: Connecting and Engaging People in your Church. Welcome Home is a six-session Bible study that complements the book, We re Glad You re Here, by Dr. Thom S. Rainer. We will learn biblical principles for welcoming people into the church who are seeking Christ and seeking a home among other believers. Wouldn t it be wonderful to say, Welcome home! as you help them belong to your church family? May the Lord bless you and your group members as you help others to find a church home right there, where you are. Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible KenBraddy.com BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 5

6 USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Invite the Holy Spirit s Guidance Because God is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times with the Holy Spirit showing you its meaning and application. Personal Study Guide Then read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for the Bible discussion and study by your group. Leader Guide Follow the simple directives in the group plan, which will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage. Read the commentary to help you understand the passage. Share insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Leader Pack The optional Leader Pack is designed to enhance the group experience, especially for visual learners. Pull in the Leader Pack items as referenced in the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a CD-ROM with: > > JPEG files of the two main study images that you can use with any presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint). Promote the study by placing these images into an announcement slideshow or display the images during the sessions to reinforce the study topic. > > PDF file of each pack item, so you can create multiple posters. During your session, display the image on a screen using any presentation software, or post the image on social media to promote the study. > > Sample Twitter and messages to post prior to your Bible study time in order to raise awareness and promote the session topic. > > Promotional videos to introduce the six-session studies. > > An electronic version of the group plans that you can customize and print. > > Biblical Illustrator articles that allow you to go deeper in your study. 6 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

7 Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and teaching suggestions for leaders are available online at You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide. Prepare Your Group Members Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read it after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect.) Encourage them to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLife), our blog (BibleStudiesforLife.com), or on Twitter (@BibleMeetsLife). For Those Who Want to Go Deeper The Advanced Bible Study is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes CSB-based exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of key words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive exposition of each session s Scripture passage. Specific attention is called to items in the biblical text that readers would miss without a commentary. This commentary is based on the King James Version but interacts with all major English translations. Each quarter, Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps and graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to lifeway.com/biblical illustrator or by calling Forty additional articles (in PDF form) that support this quarter s Bible studies are available at lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

8 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 8 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

9 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

10 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

11 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11

12 It s all about discipleship. How can we measure discipleship? LifeWay s research reveals eight factors consistently present in the lives of believers who are growing spiritually. Since it s all about discipleship, Bible Studies for Life engages in all eight of these areas throughout the year. We follow an intentional plan for your group s discipleship, so you can be sure you are fully nurturing their growth in Christ. FALL 2018 WINTER SPRING 2019 SUMMER 2019 BIBLE ENGAGEMENT Hard Sayings of Jesus OBEYING GOD AND DENYING SELF SERVING GOD AND OTHERS Reacting Well in the Face of Pressure The Reality of Following God SHARING CHRIST The Full Picture of Christmas EXERCISING FAITH More than the Mundane SEEKING GOD How to Pray BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Welcome Home UNASHAMED AND TRANSPARENT Engaging Culture 12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

13 BECOMING A WELCOMING CHURCH BY THOM S. RAINER Are we as welcoming as we think we are? Many churches need wake-up calls. Many church members think their churches are friendlier than they really are. A Tale of Two Guests These stories are true, only the names have been changed. Jane is a stylist. As Jane was cutting my hair, she talked about her life. I found out she lived near the church where my son pastors. So I invited her to church. Little did I know that the Holy Spirit had already been working in her life. After our conversation, she found the website of our church and bravely (her word, not mine) decided to visit. She fell in love with the church. The website gave her all the information she needed. She found the guest parking spot with ease. The people were genuinely friendly. The preacher preached the Bible with conviction and love. Jane decided to follow Christ. She was baptized. Now she is an active member of the welcome team ministry of our church. Great story, huh? Well, let me share another story, one that is not so great. I met Ryan while doing a consultation with a church about the guest experience. Ryan had almost no church background. But he asked his wife, Bethany, if she and their two daughters would go to church with him. Bethany had a nominal church background and was not really interested in going to church. She nevertheless agreed to go with Ryan just one time. And there won t be a second time at the church they visited. To begin, the church website was terrible. It had not been updated with the new time of the worship service, so the family arrived late. Supposedly, there were guest parking spots, but Ryan could not find any directional signs to them. When they arrived late, the greeters spoke to them for two seconds and resumed their private conversation. When they went to the children s area to check in their daughters, the place was dirty, security was weak, and the person that met them complained because they were late! Bethany gave Ryan the look. It was not a happy moment. I m surprised they even went into the worship service. They both realized they made a bad decision. Ryan told us he would never return to that church. In fact, he told us he would never go to church again. Sadly, I believe him. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 13

14 When we asked hundreds of guests about their experiences visiting churches, it was not a pretty picture. We asked specifically why they did not return to a particular church. Here were their top ten responses: 1. The stand-and-greet time in the worship service was unfriendly and awkward. I discovered there were two issues with the stand-and-greet time. First, some guests just felt awkward with the exercise. It seemed to be a ritual more for the members than the guests. Second, a number of guests felt left out during the welcome. Either they were totally ignored, or they were inundated with what they perceived were superficial greetings. 2. Unfriendly church members. Most church members do not view themselves as unfriendly. But they do not see themselves from the perspective of church guests. They don t usually speak to guests because they don t know them. And the church members usually retreat to the comfort of the holy huddles of the people they do know. 3. Unsafe and unclean children s areas. If your church does not have clear safety and security procedures, and if the children s area does not appear clean and sanitary to the guests, do not expect young families to return to your church. Indeed, as word about your children s area grows, do not expect young families to visit the first time. 4. No place to get information on the church. Guests look for a central welcome and information center. But some churches did not have any such information center. Some churches did have them, but you couldn t find them. And some churches had no one manning the welcome center. 5. Bad church website. Nearly all the church guests checked the church website before they attended a worship service. The two critical items guests want to see on a church website are the physical address of the church and times of the services. The church website is now the front door of the church. 6. Poor signage. If you have been attending your church a few weeks, you don t need signage. But guests do. And they get frustrated when they don t have clear directional signage for parking, for the entrance to the worship center, for the children s area, and others. 7. Insider church language. Listen to the words in the worship service of your church. Listen to the announcements. Listen to the sermon. Listen to the casual conversations. Are members saying things that a first-time guest would not understand? Church guests said they left some churches thinking that much of the language was foreign and filled with acronyms. 8. Boring or bad church services. In the past, church leaders of small churches would tell me they didn t have the resources for quality services. In the digital age, with so many affordable resources, no church is allowed that excuse. 9. Members telling guests they were in the wrong pew or chair. I thought this rude behavior disappeared years ago. The church guests told us otherwise. In fact the most common comment was, You are sitting in my pew. 10. Dirty facilities. Some of the comments were brutal: Didn t look like it had been cleaned in a week. No trash cans anywhere. Rest rooms were worse than a bad truck stop. Pews had more stains than a Tide ad. You get the picture. A dirty church communicates to the guest, We really don t care. 14 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

15 The Happy Guests To be fair, in our study of first-time church guests, we heard from a number who had really pleasant experiences, and decided to return. Let s look at the top ten responses from the perspective of the happy guest. I have included in this list direct quotes from the happy guests. 1. Someone asked the guest to sit with her. You know, as a single person, I can feel pretty lonely sitting by myself. I am so glad Joanie asked me to sit with her. We plan to get together for coffee. 2. People introduced themselves to guests. Several people introduced themselves to me. I did not get the impression that it was either contrived or routine. 3. There was clear signage. From the parking lot to the children s area to the worship center, everything was clearly marked. It was easy to navigate. 4. There was a clearly marked welcome center. It made it really easy for me to ask questions and to get some information on the church. 5. The kids loved the children s area. My kids were so happy with their experiences. We will be back for sure. 6. The children s area was secure and sanitary. That is one of the first things I check when I go to a church. This church gets an A+! 7. Guest parking was clearly visible. From the moment we drove into the parking lot, I could find the guest parking. It was marked very well. 8. The church did not have a stand-and-greet time. My wife and I just moved to the area and are visiting churches. If we visit one with that fake standand-greet time, we don t return. 9. The members were not pushy. They seemed to really care about us rather than just making us another number on the membership roll. 10. The guest card was simple to complete. Some of the cards in other churches ask for too much information. This one was perfect and simple. Which list more accurately describes your church? So the first step in becoming a welcoming church may be the admission that your church may not really be a welcoming church. To learn more about how to welcome guests, read the book Becoming a Welcoming Church (B&H, 2018). This excerpt was adapted from chapter 1 of Becoming a Welcoming Church by Thom S. Rainer. The study that follows, Welcome Home, complements the principles in this book. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 15

16 WELCOME HOME 16

17 What are you communicating? The most powerful communication tools we have at our disposal are often not our words. Experts in communication consistently state that much of our communication is presented in a non-verbal way. > > The teenager who says, Yes, sir, and yet rolls her eyes. > > The teacher who says he values interaction but lectures in a monotone voice without ever pausing for questions. > > The job candidate who claims confidence in her ability to do the job but fidgets in her seat with the only break being nervous laughter. These people are all saying something, but what they are communicating is quite different from what they are saying. What are we communicating to those who come to our church or Bible study group for the very first time? What are we really saying? We might be verbalizing words of welcome, but we might be giving off a message that says just the opposite. In this study, we will examine what we are really saying. We will look deeply into the posture and attitude that exemplifies the right kind of invitation. We will look at what we need to do so that, when we encounter those who are just beginning to come around to the truth of God and His church, they don t just hear, but also feel the same welcome God has given us in Christ. You are welcome. We re glad you re here. MICHAEL KELLEY Michael is a husband, dad, author, and speaker. He serves as the Director of Groups Ministry at LifeWay Christian Resources. Michael is also the author of Boring, Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal, and Growing Down. This study complements the book by Thom S. Rainer: Becoming a Welcoming Church. 17

18 GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes GUIDE: Over the next few weeks we will discover the characteristics of a welcoming church and evaluate how our church measures up. Invite group members to turn to page 3 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG) and review the titles of the sessions. LEADER PACK: Display Item 1: Welcome Home poster to introduce the session titles of this new series. SESSION 1 REALITY CHECK The Point Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. The Bible Meets Life Almost all churches start out well; they re focused on leading people to Christ, serving them, and helping them grow in Christ. Unfortunately, if we re not careful, the church can gradually drift from being Christ-centered to becoming inwardly-focused. Doctrine may not have changed, but how we live out the gospel can. It is wise to periodically do a self-check as individuals and as churches to ensure we remain a welcoming church focused on the gospel. The Passage Titus 3:3-11 DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture on PSG page 16 and ask Question 1: What makes your house feel like home? GUIDE: Introduce The Point on PSG page 17: Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. The Setting After the apostle Paul was released from his first imprisonment in Rome (AD 60-62), he continued his missionary work, taking his Gentile coworker Titus along with him. One of the areas they evangelized was the island of Crete. When the apostle moved on, he left Titus behind to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). Paul wrote his letter to Titus around AD 63 to remind Titus of the qualifications necessary for the elders, to describe the aspects of new life in Christ, and to encourage Titus to teach sound doctrine and to rebuke those in the church who were spreading false doctrine. 18 Session 1

19 Titus 3:3-8a 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8a This saying is trustworthy. KEY PHRASE: Washing of regeneration (v. 5) A description of the Holy Spirit s activity in a person who puts his or her faith in Christ, resulting in new birth. It is a synonym for salvation. Verse 3. Paul and Titus s ministry was grounded in the gospel of Christ. Without Christ, human beings are enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:6) and the devil (2 Tim. 2:26). Once calls attention to the contrast between the believer s old way of life and the new life of freedom and holiness experienced in Christ. Paul employed a variety of terms to describe life before Christ. Interestingly, Paul included himself among those who displayed these vices. 1 Such people are foolish, lacking spiritual understanding. They don t believe in God (Ps. 14:1). They are disobedient, rebellious and unwilling to follow God s will for their lives. Such people are deceived, blinded by the god of this age (Satan, 2 Cor. 4:4) and led astray from God s truth by false teachings and corrupt people. Blinded to the truth, they are enslaved to various passions and pleasures. The heart is turned away from the eternal to the material, from the heavenly to the worldly. People enslaved to sin are selfish, doing whatever makes them happy and fulfills their evil and selfish desires. They are self-indulgent to the point where they have utter disregard STUDY THE BIBLE Titus 3:3-8a 10 minutes GUIDE: Refer group members to the author s description in The Bible Meets Life, (PSG p. 17) of the experience of driving home where everything is familiar. Highlight how he contrasted that to how we might feel if we went home but everything was different. SUMMARIZE: Before reading the passage, refer to The Bible Meets Life and The Setting on page 18 to establish the context of the passage. LEADER PACK: Display Item 5: The Second Missionary Journey of Paul. (Note to leader: you will also use this map in Sessions 5 and 6.) Point out the island of Crete, where Titus served. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2 19

20 THE POINT Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. GUIDE: Refer group members to the bulleted list of questions Titus may have had before starting his work in the church at Crete (PSG, p. 18): What does it mean to be a pastor? How do I set up the work of ministry? What should I do first? Ask group members how they would respond to these questions. READ: Ask a group member to read Titus 3:3-8a. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 1 on page 19 and this page to describe the condition of all people, including the apostle Paul, before they come to Christ. SAY: But everything changes when the gospel of Jesus Christ shines on us and we respond to the kindness and love of God. 20 Session 1 for other people. Their lives are characterized by malice (ill will or wickedness toward others) and envy (having dissatisfaction with one s own state and desiring what others possess). Such individuals live in a state where they hate others and are hated themselves, the logical results of self-centered, sinful humanity. 1 Verse 4. Against this seemingly hopeless backdrop, the gospel of Jesus Christ shines as a brilliant light. God did for human beings what they were (and are) unable to do for themselves. Prompted by His kindness and love for people, God took action. The term translated kindness is used exclusively by Paul in the New Testament and describes God s compassion and benevolence. It is an action word and carries the meaning of being willing to do whatever is required to meet a need. This term also appears as kindness in Paul s list of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). The Greek term for love (phileo) is the word from which we get philanthropy. Phileo has the meaning of affection towards a family member or friend, or love of mankind. Here it particularly describes God s love for mankind. Another Greek term for love (agapao, agape) was used by believers to denote the special unconditional love of God and is used interchangeably with phileo to designate God the Father s love for Jesus (John 3:35), God the Father s love for an individual believer (John 14:21), and Christ s love for a disciple (John 13:23). 2 That God s kindness and love appeared indicates a historical event. Paul used similar language in Titus 2:11 to describe God s gracious and loving act of achieving salvation. God our Savior could refer to either God the Father or Jesus, God the Son. In fact, Paul employed the title Savior twice in this text, about God in verse 4 and about Jesus Christ in verse 6. Savior carries the meaning of deliverer. God showed His goodness and love for humanity in Jesus incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, delivering us from God s holy and just wrath and judgment, including eternal damnation. 2 Verse 5. God rescued humankind from their perilous, sinful condition. Scholars believe Paul was quoting a Christian hymn (possibly a baptismal hymn) in verses 5 7, especially considering the opening phrase in verse 8, This saying is trustworthy. He saved us communicates the unique act of God through Jesus Christ that satisfied God

21 and redeemed humanity. In Christ, God accomplished what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus death and resurrection provides salvation for all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Him. To make it clear that redemption was solely the work of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Paul added the statement: not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy. We have no part in God s saving work. Human effort will never attain salvation. Our salvation is never based on what we do or what we have done; its based on what Jesus has done for us. God s gift of salvation demonstrates His mercy. The phrase through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit refers to a single event. 3 Washing is an internal, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit which leads to regeneration and renewal. Washing of regeneration communicates the reality that when sinners repent and place their faith in Christ, their sins are cleansed and they are spiritually reborn. Paul wrote about this rebirth when he told the Corinthians, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17). Renewal is the transforming of the believer s character into the image of Christ. It is also a work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. Paul wrote about this renewal when he told the believers in Rome: Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2). This internal change results in an outward change as well. In a sense, a renovation of external behavior accompanies the transformation of the inner person. A person enters life in Christ through the washing of regeneration and embodies this new life through renewal, both being accomplished through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It s the believer s external demonstration of the life lived through the power of the Holy Spirit that verifies the internal presence and working of the Spirit in that person (Gal. 5:16 25; 2 Pet. 1:3 9). The two go hand in hand. Verse 6. God has graciously poured out His Holy Spirit abundantly on those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ our Savior who has redeemed us and through the workings of the Holy Spirit the believer is regenerated and renewed (Titus 3:5). God richly supplies believers with His Spirit, giving us all that is necessary for spiritual growth, character transformation, and faithful obedience. GUIDE: Refer group members to three things the gospel helps all of us to do (PSG, p. 19): 1. The Gospel keeps us from looking down on others (v. 3-4). 2. The Gospel reminds us of what is possible (v. 5). 3. The Gospel points us to the future (v. 6-7). SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 2 on page 20 and this page to help you explain the rich theological terms in these verses: He saved us not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy. through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. GUIDE: Use the KEY WORD on page 19 (PSG, p. 16) to provide insight about the phrase washing of regeneration. 21

22 THE POINT Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 3 to explain the meaning of the word justified. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 20): How have you personally experienced the kindness and love of God? Alternate: How does your story reflect the redemptive message found in these verses? OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Create a two column list with the following headings: God has shown kindness to me by I show God s kindness by Using this passage as a springboard, invite group members to consider the kindness God has shown to us. List other ways God has shown kindness to us. Then consider how God s kindness to us can motivate us to show kindness to others. Create a list of specific acts of kindness we can do for others. 3 Verse 7. God s saving work in Christ results in the believer s justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is a legal term that describes the believer s new position in relation to God. When a person places his or her faith in Christ, he or she is immediately and irrevocably justified in God s sight because of the work of Jesus. Through justification, the believer has peace with God and is permanently reconciled to Him (Rom. 5:6 11). All the person s sins are placed on Jesus (who paid for them on the cross, Col. 2:13-14) and that person permanently receives Jesus perfect righteousness. This forgiveness of sins and the receiving of the righteousness of Christ are solely by faith and by the grace of God (Eph. 2:4 9). At the moment of salvation, believers are freed from their slavery to sin and Satan. They are adopted as children of God and become His heirs (Rom. 8:14 17; Eph. 1:5). Consequently, the new believer has a new family, along with the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that come with it. Not only has the new believer come into a new relationship with God, with all the riches that this new life brings, but he or she will also have an eternal home with God, the hope of eternal life. The believer s hope is based on God and the certainty of God s promises. The believer s future (glorification and eternal life with God), while not yet fully experienced, is guaranteed (Rom. 8:18-25). Verse 8a. Paul stated that God s promise concerning the believer s salvation, both present and future (as detailed in Titus 3:4 7), is a trustworthy statement. The believer s salvation is secure. It s not something we work for to win, but instead, it is something offered through God s grace that we receive. What a comforting thought to know that the God of the universe has established and confirmed our salvation! We have His word on it. We no longer have to live in doubt or wonderment. It s a sure thing. Not because of what we do religiously or otherwise, but rather, because of what Jesus has done on the cross. His death and subsequent resurrection guarantee the believer s salvation. TRANSITION: Next we will see the significance of good works and their benefit to everyone. 22 Session 1

23 Titus 3:8b 8b I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 4 Verse 8b. Ministry is our personal response to the gospel s work in our lives. What God has done for us compels us to live differently from how we lived before we came to Christ. Whereas in the previous verses Paul had mainly been addressing justification, in the following verses he now turned his attention to the believer s sanctification. While justification is a one time event that occurs at the moment the believer places his or her faith in Christ, sanctification is the life-long process through which the believer is gradually transformed more and more into the image of Christ. These things refers to Paul s description of salvation in the previous verses. Paul had laid out in detail what God has done for humankind. His merciful and gracious acts call for a response. Those who have believed God are those who have come to faith in Christ and become children of God. Their lives are changed both now and for all eternity. Elsewhere, Paul had described those who are believers in Christ as light in the Lord and children of light, as opposed to unbelievers who live in spiritual darkness (Eph. 5:8). Because of what God has done for them in Christ, believers, in both gratitude and obedience, are to devote themselves to good works. In the previous verses, Paul had primarily detailed what God had done for believers through Jesus Christ. However, having a correct theological understanding of the process of salvation by itself is not enough. As the apostle James warned in his letter, Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:26). A person is saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. However, the internal transformation that occurs in the believer by the work of the Holy Spirit will be accompanied/demonstrated by an outward change in the person s behavior (what Paul here calls good works) which is also the work of the same Holy Spirit. The believer in Christ is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Elsewhere, Paul described this new creation when he commanded believers, put on the new self, the one created according to God s likeness in righteousness STUDY THE BIBLE Titus 3:8b 10 minutes READ: Read or ask a group member to read Titus 3:8b. SAY: While justification is a one time event that occurs at the moment the believer places his or her faith in Christ, sanctification is the life-long process through which the believer is gradually transformed more and more into the image of Christ. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 4 on this page and page 24, to the explanation of a correct understanding of good works. A correct understanding of the process of salvation is not enough. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) Internal transformation should result in outward change in behavior. Believers are to put on the new self (Eph. 4:24). When a believer walks by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), his life will yield the fruit of the Spirit (vv ). 23

24 THE POINT Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 5 to provide insight into the intentional act of devoting oneself to good works: Believers begin to live godly lives as they choose to live by the power of indwelling Holy Spirit. To be careful to do this is a deliberate, thoughtful act. To devote is to practice something diligently. To do good works is beneficial to others. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 22): What are some examples of good works you ve seen or experienced? Alternate: What are the benefits of good works in the life of a church family? and purity of the truth (Eph. 4:24). Paul also described the life of the believer as walking by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), which yields the fruit of the Spirit (vv ). 5 The believer moves from a life of ungodliness to one of godliness as he or she consciously chooses to live by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (This is a lifelong process.) Paul urged Titus to exhort believers to be careful to devote themselves to such good works. Living as new creations in Christ is not automatic. Believers need to be careful in the sense of being thoughtful and deliberate in choosing how to live. This idea is further emphasized by the term translated devote. One meaning of the Greek word is practicing something diligently. The literal meaning of the term is to stand before and was used to describe shopkeepers who stood in front of their shops selling their wares. The term in that sense has the meaning of the Christian devoting him- or herself to good works that are beneficial to others. Such works will be both good and profitable (useful) for everyone, meaning for all people in the sense of society in general. The believer s life is to be a stark contrast to the behavior of those around him or her. Christ followers live in a way that sets them apart from the rest of society. They are distinct and different in their words and deeds. Because of their behavior the gospel will spread. People will be drawn to the faith. By the nature of their lives, they will become the welcome mat for all wanting to enter into a relationship with Christ and His church (Matt. 5:14 16). TRANSITION: Next we will be reminded to remain focused on the things that matter and not be distracted by superfluous issues. 24 Session 1

25 Titus 3: But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned. Verse 9. One of the things Paul emphasized to Titus was that in the ministry of the church, there is no place for personal preferences or self-centeredness. In contrast to good works, which are good and profitable for everyone (Titus 3:8), Paul provided a litany of behaviors which are inappropriate and to be avoided by believers. The word avoid denotes a turning away, facing another direction so as not to look. It means to shun or keep away from someone or something. 6 Foolish debates were the rituals of the Greek philosophers as they spent their time on unsolvable problems. Paul used the same language when he warned Timothy to avoid foolish disputes because they cause needless arguments (2 Tim. 2:23). Genealogies were the pastime of Jewish rabbis as they speculated about genealogies from Old Testament characters. Elsewhere, Paul cautioned Timothy to avoid myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God s plan, which operates by faith (1 Tim. 1:4). Quarrels can take the form of disputes, altercations, or disagreements that are marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendship. Disputes about the law were the practice of the Jewish scribes as they debated what one could and could not do and what was clean or unclean. The law is a reference to the Mosaic Law. Why are such issues to be avoided? They are unprofitable and worthless. Often, endless discussions are an evasion of Christian practice. These unprofitable activities stand in contrast to good works which are profitable (Titus 3:8). Whereas true Christian fellowship is grounded in unity and love for one another, these activities yield only arguments and division, which hinder the spread of the gospel. STUDY THE BIBLE Titus 3:9-11 READ: Ask a group member to read Titus 3:9-11. SAY: We must guard against allowing issues of personal preference and self-centeredness to creep into the way we minister to other people, as it is destructive to our overall mission. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 6 to provide further explanation to the following terms: Foolish debates. Genealogies. Quarrels. 15 minutes Disputes about the Law. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 22): What effect do divisive people have on a church s efforts to be a welcoming church? 25

26 THE POINT Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 24): How can the truths of Titus 3:3-11 help us be more welcoming to others? Alternate: How can we appropriately respond to debates, quarrels, and disputes that cause discord in the church? LEADER PACK: Display Item 2: Welcome Mat. Divide group members into subgroups of three or four people each. Invite each subgroup to draft a message about the gospel you d like your church to communicate to guests. Once complete, discuss the responses. Choose one message or create one as a group and write this message onto the blank Welcome Mat poster. DO: Encourage group members to evaluate their church practices from the perspective of a first time guest by completing the activity titled From A Guest s Perspective on PSG page 24. Share responses with the group. Verse 10. Paul instructed Titus on how to deal with those within the body of Christ who stir up division. The Greek term for divisive has the meaning of one who creates and/or promotes factions. Such individuals promote dissensions or false teachings within the church body. The divisive person is to be given two warnings, after which he or she is to be rejected. Jesus prescribed the same strategy in Matthew 18:15 17 when dealing with conflicts between individuals within the church. Such a process demonstrates patience with and care for the individual. However, if such a person is unwilling to repent after being provided multiple opportunities, measures must be taken to preserve the unity of the body of Christ. The divisive individual is to be rejected (shunned; have nothing to do with such a person). Verse 11. When the divisive person refuses to reconcile and correct his or her behavior, the church has no other course than to discontinue fellowship with that individual. Paul wrote that Titus could be sure of three things about such a person. First, this person has gone astray. The Greek term describes someone who has gotten off and remains off track. It also carries the meanings of to turn inside out, pervert, or corrupt. This person is also continuing to willfully sin, in the sense of purposefully causing dissension within the church body (Titus 3:10). Finally, this person is self-condemned. The individual has refused to repent and therefore through his continuing to sin takes part in his own condemnation. Jesus prayed that believers would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:20 23) and that they would be characterized by their love for one another (13:34 35). Paul wanted everyone to live in harmony with one another and with humility (Rom. 12:16). He advised believers, If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (v. 18). But, often the divisive person does not want harmony and does not want peace. When this is the case, and you have done everything possible to seek peace and reconciliation, including warning the divisive person twice, then according to the apostle Paul, expelling such an individual from the church body is the necessary action. 1. Hayne P. Griffin, Jr., Titus in 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), David Lanier, Love in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, gen. ed. Chad Brand, rev. ed. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2015), Griffin, Titus, Session 1

27 LIVE IT OUT Our lives should be a welcome mat into the church. We can assume that posture when we focus on the gospel. Conduct a reality check and make yourself a welcome mat into the gospel of Christ and His church. > > Remind yourself. Identify a way you can remind yourself of the gospel this week. > > List. Create a list of things that, in your opinion, would be the ideal way to do church. Identify which of those items are integral to the mission and ministry of the church and which ones are based on your personal preferences. > > Befriend. Make an intentional effort to befriend someone who is different than you. Consider what you can do to make that person feel welcome in the body of Christ. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Our lives should serve as a welcome mat into the church. REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 25); (see text to the left). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Remind group members of the need to be welcoming to guests who attend our group or church. Encourage group members to be intentional in living out their faith everyday. PRAY: Father, help us to always live our lives in such a way that we shine our light to a world in darkness. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 27