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
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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?
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
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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?
4. Who Teaches Who, and How (Titus 2:1-10)
August 6, 2023 • Ron Comoglio • Titus 2:1–10
Since coming through the pandemic, chaos seems to reign in so much of contemporary life. Our information age has not proven itself the "end all, be all" we were told it would be and progress does not universally impress us like it once did. What is missing?
For all our desire for excitement, we actually crave order. We expect the sun to rise and set at the right times, for the ocean tides to come in and out as prescribed. Order gives us security.
Our God is a God of orderly processes and demands to be worshipped according to HIS declared ways. In the church we should find this Godly, well-ordered environment a refuge from the worldly, chaotic sea of human self-rule. We know the Creator God of the universe, and he has called us by name to be his own new creations, yet still struggling amidst the fallen old creation.
On Sunday, join us as we continue our study of Titus in our sermon series entitled, "Titus: Ordering the Church for Faithfulness and Fruitfulness". Please read the second chapter in preparation for a lesson on the first ten verses as we examine how God has ordered how we instruct each other.
As a reminder, the Montclair Community group is in our overflow downstairs this Sunday.
Blessings in Christ,
Grace and peace!
Pastor Ron
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Discussion & Response Questions: Titus 2:1-10
What is sound doctrine? What purpose does sound doctrine play in Titus 2:1-10?
Consider the traits of each group (older men, older women, younger women, younger women). What do we learn about each from Paul’s instruction? What is similar? What is distinct?
What role do men have in the household of God? See also Titus 1:5-9.
What role do women have in the household of God? See also 1 Timothy 2-3.
What does it mean for older women to teach younger women to love their husbands and children and workers at home? Why was that needed in Crete (see Titus 1:10-16; 3:1-3)? How does this apply today?
How do good works gain an audience for God’s Word? See Titus 2:5, 8, 10.
How do we apply Titus 2:9-10 today?
What is the hardest word for you in Titus 2:1-10? What do you need the most help with?
Where is the source of that change? Hint: it is not a list of rules to follow, it is a Spirit-given conformity to Christ. See Titus 2:11-15.
