Titus

Date Written: 64-66 AD

Author: Paul

Setting: Paul sent Titus to organize and oversee the churches on Crete. There was a strong pagan influence on this small island. This letter tells Titus how to do this job. Paul developed Titus into a mature Christian and a responsible leader.

Key People: Paul and Titus

Purpose: To advise Titus in his responsibility of supervising the churches on the island of Crete.

Key Verses: The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 1:5

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, who He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 3:4-7

Chapter Outline:

1 Leadership in the Church

2 Right Living in the Church

3 Right Living in Society

Importance of reading Titus:

What we read: The Good News of salvation is that we can’t be saved by living a good life; we are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ. But the gospel transforms our lives, so that we eventually perform good deeds. Our good deeds won’t save us, but we do good deeds because we are saved. We do good deeds out of our love for Jesus. What we can learn: Our life should be a witness to the power of the gospel’s. As Christians, we should have a commitment and discipline to do good and serve others, not because that is what saves us, but because we want to please our Lord and Savior. We can say we know God and live for Him, but our actions will speak much louder than our words.

What we read: Titus’s responsibility in Crete was to appoint elders to maintain proper organization and discipline, so Paul listed the qualities needed for the eldership. Their conduct in their homes revealed their fitness for service in the church. What we can learn: It’s not enough to be educated or to have a loyal following to be Christ’s kind of leader. You must have self-control, spiritual and moral fitness, and mature Christian character. Who you are is just as important as what you can do.

What we read: Older Christians were to teach and to be examples to younger men and women. People of every age and group have a lesson to learn and a role to play. What we can learn: Right living and right relationships go along with right doctrine. Relationships in the church should be part of growing in our faith.

What we read: Christians must be good citizens in society, not just in church. Believers should obey the government and work honestly. What we can learn: How you fulfill your civic duties is a witness to the watching world. Your community life should reflect Christ’s love as much as your church life does. We can’t act one way in church and then walk outside and act another.

Things to think about as you read Titus:

• The world, by its lifestyle, denies God. What about you? Do you deny ungodliness and worldly desire, or do you indulge the desires of your flesh? What do your deeds say about your beliefs?
• What does your actions tell others? Without you saying a word, would they know that you are a Christian?
• Your salvation wasn’t based on your goodness or your performance, but upon the mercy and grace of God. Think on His goodness that brought you from death into life and thank Him for His grace and mercy.

Philemon

Date Written: 60-62 AD

Author: Paul

Setting: Slavery was very common in the Roman empire and evidently some Christians had slaves. Paul doesn’t condemn the institution of slavery in his writings, but he makes a radical statement by calling this slave Philemon’s brother in Christ.

Purpose: To convince Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to accept him as a brother in the faith.

Key Verses: Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 1:15-16

Chapter Outline:

1:1-7 Paul’s Appreciation of Philemon

1:8-25 Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Importance of reading Philemon:

What we read: Philemon was Paul’s friend and the legal owner of the slave, Onesimus. Paul asked him not to punish Onesimus, but to forgive and restore him as a new Christian brother. What we can learn: Christian relationships should be full of forgiveness and acceptance. Can you forgive those who have wronged you?

What we read: Slavery was widespread in the Roman empire, but no one is lost to God or beyond His love. Slavery was a barrier between people, but Christian love and fellowship should break those barriers down. What we can learn: In Jesus, we are one family. No walls of racial, economic, or any such thing, should separate us. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God.

What we read: Paul had the authority as an apostle to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to approach him in love rather than to order him what to do. He used it as a teaching and mentoring moment. What we can learn: When you need to teach someone, discipline them, or correct them it will be much more successful when done in love rather than just commanding them.

What we read: Paul pleads on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave. Paul’s intercession for him illustrates what Jesus has done for us. As Paul interceded for a slave, so Jesus intercedes for us, slaves to sin. As Onesimus was reconciled to Philemon, so we are reconciled to God through Jesus. As Paul offered to pay the debts of a slave, so Christ paid our debt of sin. Like Onesimus, we must return to God our Master and serve Him. What we can learn: Just as Paul reconciled Onesimus to Philemon, Jesus reconciled us to God.

Things to think about as your read Philemon:

• How much do you care about others? Enough to come to another’s aid, to assume the role of an advocate?
• What can you learn from Paul’s example in the way he appealed to Philemon?
• Is there someone you need to forgive and offer restoration?
• Can someone appeal to you to do the right thing on the basis of your character or do they have to force your hand through rules, regulations, or some sort of a bribe?

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/dpROhgSVxNI?si=Fu9-1e_P9M-1mB-h

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry