Titus: A Good Works Sandwich

Sisters and Seekers,

God's grace is now able to be seen and we now know His plan is the save all the people's of the earth.  The message of grace instructs us to change, to abandon the things we do that don't reverence God and the human passions within us that the world encourages us to do to worship themselves.  Instead control yourself, be moral according to the Word of God, and loyal to Him until He returns.  We hope in this, that Jesus will come again in glory, all will see Him as the God who saves.  He paid our ransom when we were living in disregard of the law, violating it or even holding it's restraint in contempt.  He liberated us to change us, to work a new life within us so he could acquire a people who belonged to him so fully that they would enthusiastically serve others as He did.  This is the message for you to solemnly declare-encourage people under your spiritual care to live this out and admonish those not doing it.  Don't let them ignore or despise your urging if they are living wrongly.  Titus 2:11-15, paraphrased

As promised, here is my paraphrase from our study last time.  We are nearing the end of our deep dive into Titus and I hope that as you've studied through this book, God has been showing you many things that refine you.  

This week I've instilled A Good Works Sandwich because Paul begins and ends this section with the importance of good works.  In our overview study (Titus: Overview), we learned that good works was one of the main themes of this letter form the apostle Paul to his son in the faith, Titus.  This section will teach us more about that.  In my opinion, every good sandwich has it's best flavor in the middle and this text does not disappoint.  The rich flavors of the gospel come out strong as we will learn who we were and what God has done.  Let's take a bit, shall we?  *really punny today, I know...

Titus 3:1-11

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.  

• List what you learn about God in this section of Titus.  You can choose to journal about these in the application section.  

• This passage has multiple lists.  Is there a topic that you want to dive into deeper?  Decide which of the speaks most to you and find out what you learn about: good works, how to/not to act, who we were before Christ.  

• Can you find the gospel in this section?  Do you also see all the members of the Trinity at work? Reread it until you can understand it.  

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 what the passage means.  

• Paraphrase the gospel that you found above.  

• 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

• Journal about any or all of the characteristics you noticed about God.  Consider using the following prompts to get you started:  What does this teach me about God?  How does this aspect of God's character change my view of myself?  What should I do in response? 

• Dwell on the gospel as revealed in this part of Scripture.  Memorize and mediate, thanking God for saving you in praise and worship. 

• What list did you choose to study this week?  Pray about what changes you can make based on what you learned.  What is God calling you to do in response to noticing what you did?  

• This passage says that before God's intervention we passed our days in malice-a desire to hurt someone and because of the power of the gospel, our heart is free to desire to desire to help someone.  That's what the parable of the good Samaritan is.  Read Luke 10:25-37 and think about if there is someone God is calling you to help.  It will likely be someone who can give you nothing in return but isn't that what God did for us? 

• This passage talks about the Holy Spirit's role in our salvation, something we may not often consider.  His regeneration and renewal changed our nature.  Did you look up those works in the comprehension section?   Regeneration means to restore something to it's pristine state and renewal is a complete change of something for the better.  This is important because if you have undergone this "holy bath" you are completely changed.  That's a permanent state.  There's joy and freedom in that! This has been done in a rich way-abundant, overflowing, to great measure, exceeding your needs.  Have you doubted that this work can be undone?  Rest and be assured that the transformation is complete!