GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH
A PEACEFUL CHURCH
Titus 3:8-15
GODLY LIVING IN THE CHURCH #7 (BIBLE LESSONS ON TITUS)
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.
· 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
· Vs. 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?
· Vs. 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?
· Vs. 15 – What is the value of mutual greetings?
· Why do we continue to need grace?
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