6. Ready for Work (Titus 3:1-8)

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6. Ready for Work (Titus 3:1-8)

August 20, 2023 • Jared Bridges • Titus 3:1–8

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There's no shortage in the Bible of urging God's people to do good works. In the letter to Titus alone, we've seen the theme of good works applied to the church, the household, and as we will see this Sunday -- the outside world. But so often our good works leave us asking "What have we accomplished?" Perhaps we're asking the wrong question.

The simple message of Titus 3:1-8 unveils to us that the foundation of our work is not rooted at all in our accomplishments, but in what God's goodness and love for mankind has done. Read and meditate on Titus 3:1-8 in preparation to be reminded of the good news that makes our work good.

For His glory and your growth in grace,

Pastor Jared

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Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 3:1-8

1. Consider the seven reminders for the saints in 3:1-2. How does the gospel and God’s grace motivate us in these good works?

2. Why does Paul provide the reminder of who they used to be (3:3)?

3. Consider the relationship between the reminders in 3:1-2 and the believer’s past identity in 3:3.

4. What are the many ways that God is described in this text?

5. What does 3:4-7 teach us about the basis of our salvation?

6. What is the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”? What are the implications of this reality?

7. What is the basis of our justification? What does justification make possible?

8. Why emphasize that a “saying is trustworthy”? How should we understand this in Scripture?

9. What does devotion to good works look like?

10. What is the relationship between our salvation and our good works?

11. How does the fact that our works are established by God's work in our lives change the way we think about obedience?

12. How should we respond to this text?

More from Titus: Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

1. An Introduction to Titus (Titus 1:1-4)

July 9, 2023 • Ben Purves • Titus 1:1–4

Dear OBC Family, Did you ever watch one of those reality tv shows where a nanny or “parenting expert” enters a chaotic household and works to bring order to the chaos? As painful as those scenarios can be, there were some parallels with the churches in Crete. This Sunday we will begin a new sermon series in the book of Titus, and much like these dysfunctional homes, the churches of Crete were in need of significant attention. False teachers and the influence of Cretan culture were harming churches, and there was a lack of the fruitfulness of good works which follows faith. Paul’s letter to Titus provides a template for ordering the Cretan churches so that they might be more faithful and fruitful, and these words have great importance for us today as faithfulness to the truth brings about fruitfulness in God’s church. I invite you to read all of Paul’s letter to Titus, and come join us this Sunday as we begin this new series. I look forward to gathering with you to worship our Lord this Sunday! As a reminder, the County Center Community Group is in overflow this Sunday. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions Titus 1:1-4 Who is Titus? What is his background with Paul? (Search for other appearances of Titus in the New Testament) What does verse 1a teach us about Paul and his authority? How should we respond to this? To what end is Paul preaching and serving? (vv. 1-3) What should we understand when we read “God’s elect”? What is the relationship between knowledge of the truth and godliness? What goes wrong when these are decoupled from one another? What does Paul teach about “the hope of eternal life” being promised and manifested? How does Paul speak about God in relationship to time? Why state that God “never lies”? Consider the context of Crete with 1:10-16. How is the “grace and peace” extended in this greeting from Paul to Titus more than ordinary? How does Paul provide a template for us for the preaching of the gospel and ministry to fellow believers? How ought we to respond to this text?

2. Elders for the Ordering of the Church (Titus 1:5-9)

July 16, 2023 • Ben Purves • Titus 1:5–9

3. Come to Order (Titus 1:10-16)

July 23, 2023 • Jeff Dionise • Titus 1:10–16

This Sunday we’ll continue in our sermon series in Titus and consider how God's Word brings order to the church for faithfulness and fruitfulness. Specifically, we're going to look at Titus 1:10-16 and consider how rebuke can bring bring us to soundness of faith. By way of reminder, the Mapledale Community Group will be in overflow downstairs this Sunday. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jeff Dionise ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions Titus 1:10-16 As you read these verses (vv. 10-16), how would you describe the disorder that’s present in the churches of Crete? What is the desired outcome from Titus’ ministry in addressing these situations? What are the marks of false teachers in this text? Practically speaking, how are false teachers to be silenced? How do the elders’ qualifications (vv. 5-9) equip him for the tasks that are required (vv. 10-16)? What are the consequences of failing to rebuke? What emboldens one to rebuke? What kind of works flow from unbelief? (vv. 15-16) What should be brought about from true knowledge of God? After seeing all the negative examples in this text, how ought the churches of Crete to look? Positively, what vision for church health are we given if all these negatives are reversed to positive realities? What practical applications might you draw from this text for ordinary church members?