TITUS – GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH #2: GODLY LEADERSHIP (Titus 1:5-9)

Expository, Letters of Paul, New Testament, Series, Titus, Titus - Godly Living in the Church

TITUS 1:5-9 – GODLY LEADERSHIP

GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH #2 – A COMPLETE LESSON

  • What qualities do you admire most in a church leader?
  • Should we expect more of our leaders than we do of others or ourselves? Why or why not?
  • What does Hebrews 13:7 tell you about church leaders? Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
  • For what reasons should we strive to meet as many qualities for church leadership, even though we may never expect to be in a position of authority?

Titus was a young protégé of the Apostle Paul who was left on the Island of Crete in order to help new churches grow.  In this passage Paul is reminding Titus to appoint leaders in each church. He spells out the qualities that are of expected of “Elders”. These are qualities leaders are to display as examples to others.  We should strive to make these things part of a Godly walk.

INTRODUCTION

Titus 1:5 – For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

  • Titus was to finish up the administrative set up of the churches. Why is it necessary to have some form of government in the local church?
  • There are two terms used for the same office – “Elder” and “Bishop”. The word “Elder” would refer to the maturity or character of the person in leadership.
  • The word “Bishop” refers to the man’s job of being an overseer.
  • Generally there was more than one elder in each church.
  • The following verses give us an idea of what an elder or bishop was to do.

1 Timothy 5:17 – Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Acts 20:28 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Peter 5:1-4 – The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: [2] Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; [3] Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Hebrews 13:17 – Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

THE ELDER MUST BE A FAMILY MAN – Vs. 6

  1. “The husband of one wife.”
  2. “Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.”

THE ELDER MUST BE A FIRM MAN – Vs. 7

  1. “Blameless, as the steward of God.” (In Vss. 6&7)
  2. “Not self-willed”
  3. “Not soon angry”
  4. “Not given to wine”
  5. “No striker”
  6. “Not given to filthy lucre”

THE ELDER MUST BE A FRUITFUL MAN – Vs. 8

  1. “A lover of hospitality”
  2. “A lover of good men”
  3. “Sober”
  4. “Just”
  5. “Holy”
  6. “Temperate”

THE ELDER MUST BE A FAITHFUL MAN – Vs. 9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

  • How does one “hold fast” the Word of God?
  • Why is the Word of God called faithful?
  • Why is it a necessity to teach sound doctrine?