TITUS 3:8-15 – A PEACEFUL CHURCH
#8 of 8 – GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH (Last in the Series)
A Complete Lesson
1 Thessalonians 5:13 – And be at peace among yourselves.
- What is your idea of a “peaceful church”?
- What is God’s idea of a “peaceful church?”
- Why is a “peaceful church” necessary?
- What are the root causes when there is no peace in the church?
In Titus 3:8-15 Paul is wrapping up his epistle on Godly living in the church. He gives us four things that will help us maintain peace in Christ’s church.
REACH OUT WITH GOOD WORKS – Vs. 8
- Titus was to preach constantly the truths about Godly living found in this little Epistle.
- What are some of the truths he would have preached from chapter 1?
- What are some of the truths he would have preached from chapter 2?
- What are some of the truths he would have preached from Titus 3:1-7?
- The goal in preaching these truths was that the Christians would do as they were taught. The end result of that would have been Godly behavior.
- The Christians were to learn to be careful to maintain good works. What does it mean to be “careful” about doing something?
- What does it mean to maintain?
- What are some of the good works coming from obedience to the Book of Titus that would have resulted in the Christians having a positive impact on their unsaved neighbors?
RETREAT FROM FOOLISH QUESTIONS – Vs. 9
- What are some of the foolish arguments that have taken place in churches today? Why should they be avoided?
- What does it mean to “major on the minors and minor on the majors”?
- Genealogies from the Old Testament were delved into. Fanciful myths were added to embellish the genealogies. There was no value in these discussions.
- What kinds of contentions does Paul want us to avoid?
- What are some of the strivings over Old Testament law that took place in the New Testament church?
- What do the words “unprofitable” and “vain” mean?
- Does this mean that there are to be no doctrinal discussions in the church?
REJECT HERETICS – Vss. 10-11
- The original meaning of a heretic was a person who promoted a sect or a “party spirit”. Why is it wrong to have sects or parties in the local church? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:3-7
- Most heretics are false teachers. But a heretic can also be a person who is causing division within the church.
- “The factious person will not submit to the Word or to godly leaders in the church. He is a law to himself and has no concern for spiritual truth or unity. Although false teachers certainly are the most devastatingly factious, Paul is here casting a broader net, which includes anyone in the church who is divisive and disruptive.” – John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Titus, (Chicago, Illinois, Moody Press, 1196), p. 164
- According to verse 11, why is such a person dangerous?
- According to verse 10 how is a heretic or factious person to be handled?
- Why do churches have trouble doing such things?
REINFORCE THE BRETHREN – Vss. 12-15
- 12 – Titus’ ministry would be changed. He would partner up once again with his mentor, Paul. We don’t know much about Artemas or Tychicus, but we can assume that each was a faithful man. Why is it important that a pastor be faithful?
- 13 – We know nothing about Zenas the lawyer. Apollos was a gifted orator who was a positive force in the early church. Acts 18:24-28
- These men were to be encouraged as ministers of the Gospel by having their needs met by the church.
- What qualifies a person to receive financial support from a church? 1 Corinthians 9:7-10, 13-14
- Titus 3:14 – And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (English Standard Version)
- I feel that the emphasis on good works was primarily toward the unsaved in verse 8. Here, I feel there is more emphasis on the church family.
- Why should church family take care of their own?
- Why must we be devoted to good works?
- 15 – What is the value of mutual greetings?
- Why do we continue to need grace?
