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In our passage this week, Paul presents the theological foundation for everything Titus is to teach. Titus 2:11–15 does not present specific instructions for godly living, a command we are to obey, or anything we have already done or can do in the future. It is not dependent on age, stature or status. At the very heart of what Paul calls Titus to teach, and what we are also called to teach, is what God has done in Christ. We examined this by looking at three realities of God’s grace at work in our passage: Saving Grace, Transforming Grace, and Hope-infused Grace.

In contrast to the false teachers, Paul instructs Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine”(Titus 2:1). The following verses in chapter 2 then provide specific instruction for the believers in the Cretan churches. All believers are to live out the practical application of sound doctrine in their daily lives. Titus 2:10 then concludes, “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” May we live in ways that accord with sound doctrine and put the gospel on display for the world around us.

When we embrace the beautiful truth that our times are in God’s hands, we gain the clarity and vision needed to glorify God as we shepherd our families and intentionally disciple others.

The Power of a Godly Life Reverence demands a fitting response to the true nature of things—whether persons, circumstances, or natural wonders. Someone who is reverent respects the respectful, laughs at the laughable, mourns over the mournful, and glorifies the glorious. ~Andrea Hoglund, The Loveliness of Reverence A fitting response to the true nature of things. Doesn’t that sound like whatever accords with sound doctrine? A reverent woman lives a life that reinforces truth. A reverent woman knows the appropriate way to behave in a variety of situations. And with God’s help, good teaching, within a community of godly women surrounding us, and with constant awareness that we live and work our entire lives in God’s presence, we can become women like this: women who are reverent in behavior whom God sees as splendid, holy, glorious, and set apart for sacred purpose.

Titus Week 4: Doctrine Opposed & Protected Paul’s priorities in his instructions to Titus are to guard and protect the clarity of the true gospel. We will also see the heart of Paul shine forth for the lost, as he instructs Titus in how to respond to those living with wrong doctrine, wrong motives, and wrong actions. Paul opens his instructions in Titus 1:5 with: “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” The true backdrop to the qualifications for elders in Titus 1:5-9 will become clear as we examine Titus 1:10-16. “[The Elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it (1:9).”

The Church and the Home: Partnering to Disciple the Next Generation A vision for how the local church and the home partner together in teaching the next generation to know, love, and treasure Christ in all of life. Whether you are navigating the early years of parenting, single mothering, or carrying a heavy burden for a wayward child, we will explore how a deliberate church-family partnership shapes our homes and strengthens the church body.

Our study in Titus continued this week with Titus 1:5-9. In Titus 1:5, Paul wrote, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” He then provided Titus with a list of qualifications for elders. Those qualifications reflected godly character traits necessary for men who would aspire to be elders in the church. We can also aspire to these godly character traits as we seek to grow in spiritual maturity today.

A Word to Live By: Paul’s Greeting to Titus As we walk through the first four verses of this letter, in one sense we are simply reading the opening phrases of a traditional ancient correspondence. We see the letter’s author, the letter’s recipient, and the letter’s formal greeting. But packed into those standard structures are some powerful shaping realities about the purpose and identity and foundation of God’s people, including us today. This is a far cry from “To Whom It May Concern.” In addition, these four brief verses also provide the bones and themes of Paul’s full message, like a topical index of the content to follow.

To kick off a new season of MOMS, Liz Stein will unpack our theme for the year: My Times are in Your Hands. We'll also enjoy a time of reconnecting and sweet fellowship.

Titus: Redeemed by Grace for Godly Living This week we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Brian Tabb, the President of Bethlehem College and Seminary. His overview examined the plan, the people, the places, the problems, and the priorities of Paul as he wrote to Titus. Brian highlighted “Gospel-Fueled Godliness” throughout the text of Titus, especially seen in Titus 3:4-8: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

This week, Psalm 63 showed us that when we are in the wilderness of waiting or suffering, we thirst–and we must seek satisfaction where it may truly be found. Refresh your heart in worship, meditating on the Lord, and looking to the eternal joy of God’s presence forever.

In Psalm 56 we saw how faith in the midst of fears works for those who know and trust God. With David as our model, we walked through what it means to resolve to trust the Lord when fears arise. We saw David turning to the Lord. We saw how his overwhelming fear led to trust, which resulted in praise, which led to increased trust, and which ultimately resulted in not being as afraid.

In Psalm 51, we hear David powerfully articulating the gospel through a broken, contrite heart to a steadfastly loving, abundantly merciful God. It is our prayer that as we go through David’s penitential lament for his grievous sins, you will see how God’s Steadfast Love Creates a Broken, Contrite Heart to Worship Him.

In Psalm 34, David shares his resolve to praise God and invites his listeners to do the same. Following a personal testimony to God’s faithfulness, David welcomes God’s people to receive the blessings of provision and protection available to those who fear the LORD. In the last half of the psalm, David teaches how the fear of the LORD influences words and actions. Finally, he reveals why we should fear the LORD. He expands on God’s preserving and saving work for those who take refuge in him, both to sustain us through trials in this life and to save us from eternal condemnation.

The psalmist takes a very public occasion to tell a very personal story of his failure and God’s mercy. Layered into the story of the temple dedication is the story of the failures of God’s people and the relentless pursuit of God to be with His people and to provide a means for displaying His goodness to them. In crescendo-like manner, this Psalm depicts the failures of His people (including David, Israel, and even us) against the glorious backdrop of mercy and grace that brings about a resurrection transformation that elicits eternal praise.