Titus: In Every Season

Sisters and Seekers,

Welcome to week 4 of our study on Titus.  So far we have done on over view of the book and studied three other sections of the text.  We are halfway there!  If you are just joining us, look back a few posts to begin the study there, looking at the entire book before diving into sections.  As we study Titus we are using a method that repeats each time so you can learn to apply this to any book of the Bible!

Last week we looked at empty talkers, those that were in the church  and teaching a mixed up message.  These were men that say they knew God but denied faith by what they did.  Paul is now shifting in his letter to Titus by giving him instruction for those in the church, contrasting the behavior of the members staring up trouble with what life should look like in every season of life.  As you study, I pray that God will speak to you right where you are at and give you practical next steps in your transformation to be more like him.  Let's start with our now familiar process and then look at new applications that emerge.

Titus 2:1-10

Comprehension
-seek to understand exactly what the passage is saying without adding any interpretation to it

• Define words you may have circled in the overview because you didn't know their meaning.  Look them up in a dictionary, then reread the verse.  After getting the context, write a definition in the margin or above the word you circled.

• If there is a verse you don't understand, read it in another word-for-word translation (see first week for recommended versions).   Make notes on your passage of any new understandings you have.  

• Write down question that emerge from reading.  You can write them on your annotated Titus scripture so it's easy to see them in the inference phrase of study.  

• This passage contains lists how the church should be living.  Make notes per each season and note the qualities of each.  Your headings will be: older men, older women, young women, young men, bondservants, ministers (this is when Paul is giving instructions to Titus himself). 

Interpretation
 -take what you just learned about what the section says and discover the nuance of what it means

• Look up cross references for this section.  Add any notes that are helpful to interpreting this section.  

• Paraphrase a confusing verse yourself to help you understand it.  Paraphrasing means reading the original version and putting it in your own words.  

• Compare your version with The Message or New Living Translation, as they are also paraphrased versions of the Bible.   Note what you learned from this comparison.

• If you still have questions, read commentaries or notes in your study bible.   You can also ask me a question in the comments and I'll try to answer as best I can.  

Application

-what do I do with what I'm learning

• A first suggestion for application from this passage is what season of life are you in?  As you studied these first 10 verses of chapter 2, how did your life match up to the model that Paul wants us to aim for?  Is there any area God is calling you to change?  If you are older, maybe He is calling you to model your life to others.  Read these cross references and list out what that looks like in your life: 1 Timothy 4:12-16, 1 Peter 5:2-3.  Reflect on how you are doing as a leader and pray about what God might have for you to change. 
• I'm a women and guessing most of you reading this blog are too.  Daily I am confronted with images in the media and even pressure from friends to make the outside of me the most beautiful part.  When you studied this section, especially the cross references, did you find any verses about how God views beauty?  Look at verses 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:3-4. To adorn yourself means to make something beautiful. Are you focused on the outside, your clothing, accessories and hairstyle or are you focused on showcasing your beauty through what you do? 
• 1 Timothy 5:1-2 is a parallel passage to this one.  Paul mentions here, when giving instructions to those in the church, we look at those we are shepherding like members of our family, like fathers, mother, sisters and brothers because they really are!  Jesus himself said in Matthew 12:48-50 that the members of his family were actually those who do the will of God.  Do you consider those you are in fellowship with as family?  If not, what can you do to start living out this spiritual bond? 
• Sometimes there is a disconnect between what people say about you and the deeds you are actually doing. Read 1 Peter 2: 12, 3:16-18. Peter actually says that some may not realize they are wrong until Jesus returns!  This is suffering, to have a reputation that you don't deserve, to have people dislike you because of your faith in Christ.  Jesus understands this as he was righteous but punished for our unrighteousness.  Yet He did it to bring us to God.  If you are in a situation where someone is mocking you or judging your faith, be encouraged to continue being faithful despite their encouragement.   Like Christ, your faithfulness may result in them "coming to God."  
• Colossians 3:22-25 talks about who we serve, not "earthly masters" or bosses but when we work we actually serve Christ himself.  We are actually serving Christ and not just an employer.  This is especially challenging when someone is unjust (1 Peter 2:18).  How is your heart toward your supervisor?  How is your attitude at work?  What could you do to remind yourself that you are working for God in a practical way? 
• When we think of God, who do we think of?  The Father?  The Trinity with three unique beings comprising God?  Titus has the phrase God our Savior three times.  Can you find them all?  What do you learn from this phrase?  When many of us think about a Savior we may automatically think about Jesus alone.  How does the Father and Holy Spirit play into your understanding of salvation?  What role do that play as unique entities within the Trinity?   Read Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Thesselonians 2:13-14 and note how each person in the Godhead works to restore your relationship to God.  Pray in response, thanking the Father, Son, and Spirit for their unique roles in your salvation.  
• This last statement in verse 10 arrives at a theme of Titus, good deeds are to be a witness of our faith.  Read Mathew 5:16 and Philippians 2: 14-15 and reflect on your deeds. How can you be different than those around you?