The Pastoral Epistles & Philemon
Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm - Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
Email: PastorRod@victoryfellowshipministries.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Webpage: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Lesson Eleven: Establishing the Church
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) INTRODUCTION TO TITUS AND CRETE
3) READ / LISTEN to Titus 1:1-16
A) What are your initial impressions? Questions?
i) Are there notable differences in various translations?
4) THE EXTENDED GREETING (1:1-4)
A) Compare Paul’s greetings in 1st Timothy 1:1-2; 2nd Timothy 1:1; and Titus 1:1-3. What is the same? What is different?
B) (vv. 1-3) The Promise
i) Before time began, God promised eternal life to us.
ii) God cannot lie.
iii) At the right time, God sent Jesus. The promise turned into hope.
iv) We preach this hope now. God will give life to us forever.
C) (vs. 4) How is Titus’ relationship to Paul similar to Timothy’s?
5) ESTABLISHING THE CHURCH (1:5-9)
A) (vs. 5) What was left undone? (Acts 2:11)
B) Job description and qualifications of Elders:
i) (vs. 6) How they conduct their own household.
ii) (vs. 7) Five traits they must not have.
iii) (vs. 8-9a) Seven qualities they must have.
C) (vs. 9b) What two-fold purpose will these qualifications serve an elder?
6) THE FALSE TEACHERS (1:10-16)
A) (vs. 10-11) Why must Titus appoint elders in the various town churches?
B) They are a bunch of Cretans fueled by Judaizers!
i) (vs. 12) This is a quote from the Cretan prophet, Epimenides (circa 600 BC).
ii) Historian Polybius (c. 200 – c. 118 BC) has written: Now it would be impossible to find except in some rare instances personal conduct more treacherous or a public policy more unjust than in Crete.
iii) Cicero (3 January 106 – 7 December 43 BC) said that “the Cretans … consider piracy and brigandage honourable”
C) (vv. 13-14) How should Titus deal with these people?
D) (vv. 15-16) What is the problem with the “defiled” ones?
7) APPLICATION
A) Our eternal promise is from a God who cannot lie. (Numbers 23:19)
B) We must be devoted to holiness and righteousness. (1st Peter 1:14-16)
C) There are times when appropriate and necessary action must be taken against those who would harm the body of Christ. (2nd Corinthians 13:10)
8) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON:
Establishing Order and Godliness - Read Titus 2:1-15 to prepare
