Off the Shelf Sunday School--Titu

Duties of Elders (2:1-15)

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent I (in) the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.?Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

1.????Elders are to teach only what is in the Bible. They are to avoid teaching speculations and personal opinions as doctrine. Why is this important?

2.????Older men and women are to live as examples showing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22) Paul says that integrity and having a good reputation are important. What is integrity? How does having a good reputation honor Jesus and advance the gospel?

3.????The Bible does not approve of slavery, just as it does not approve of men having more than one wife. (Mt 19:8-9) Paul’s focus in addressing slaves is to teach that everyone who is a Christian, regardless of their social status, must live in a manner that honors Jesus. In this way, people will be attracted to Christianity.??

4.????Christians are to be eager to do good. This means having a strong desire to please God. It also means that Christians are to be focused on loving others before themselves. (Mt 16:24-25)

5.????Paul concludes by telling Titus that he should not be timid in speaking with authority based on the Bible. Titus should not be hindered because he is a young adult or because he is a Gentile. He also should not be hindered because of his speaking ability or appearance. Do you think Christians tend to follow leaders who are good speakers and are attractive in appearance???