May 12: Looking for Qualified Spiritual Leaders

Announcements

Please Continue to Pray & Announce

The Rooftop Experience Begins

Sunday, May 19

9:30am & 6:00pm Worship

   Dennis Pethers

"I was born and brought up just on the edge of London, England and come from a background where church did not feature at all. I didn’t know that I didn’t know Jesus!"

As a follow-up to Dennis' visit, we will be asking Connect Groups to enlist adults to host a neighborhood outreach on Sunday night, June 9th. Details about this will be shared next week.

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Did you Know?

Every year more than 25,000 churches host VBS, enrolling nearly 3 million children and adults, resulting in more than 80,000 professions of faith in Christ. 
(Polly House, LifeWay Christian Resources)

• We plan on having 400 children and adults in VBS this year!
• Last year we had 13 children who made some type of decision for Christ. 

Here is how Connect Groups will be helping with VBS:

• Sunday, May 26: 11am Adult Connect Groups are asked to stack chairs in their rooms and move them to the pastors reception area. There will be dollies and helpers available.
• Sunday, June 2: WE WILL NOT BE HAVING CONNECT GROUPS. This allows time for VBS leaders to set up the rooms.
• Sunday, June 2: Connect Groups are encouraged to prayer walk the building and pray for the teachers and those who will be attending VBS. 

Bible Study Session

THE TARGET

Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding, and doing. 

Adults will understand the requirements for being set aside and responsibilities of those who are set aside to lead the church. They will be able to identify ways in which they can support and encourage leaders and evaluate areas in which they need to become better leaders.

Resources and Study to Consider

Overview:
This session begins the study of Titus. Paul offers great insight into the qualifications of spiritual leaders, particularly those who are expected to be overseers of the church. As you teach, be sure to focus on the multiple goals of THE TARGET of this study. There is the goal of understanding what is expected of a spiritual leader, but there is the application that should be applied to all who call themselves believers. Being a spiritual leader is not something reserved only for those who are appointed to be "elders" or "overseers." Spiritual leadership is something we are all expected to develop because we all are leaders to someone else.

MyStudyBible.com

•  Video Overview of Titus & Paul's Relationship: This is a very good overview for you, particularly the first four minutes: http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1375/

Images of Crete

I have added a couple of images of Crete to help you if you choose to use them. They can be added to a PowerPoint or used for your own personal reference: Crete Images 

Explanation of Titus 1:12-14
This passage can be difficult to understand. Was Paul saying Cretens were "liars, evil, brutes, lazy gluttons" or were the false teachers this way? Below is a good explanation from the Holman New Testamant Commentary Volume 09:

"Paul next refuted the false teachers by calling forth the testimony of one of their own prophets who said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." The apostle used a familiar saying of the day against the ones who bandied it about.

Cretans were stereotyped as liars because they claimed the tomb of Zeus was located on Crete. This was an unfounded claim that everyone recognized as a deception. Reference to their base and uncontrolled behavior may trace back to religious or cultural practices which were less refined than their Jewish counterparts.

By restating the slanderous words of one of the false teachers' own prophets, Paul intended the slander to work back upon itself. The false teachers were guilty of the very wrongs for which they chastised others. Therefore, this testimony is true, for the Cretan false teachers practiced deception, uncontrolled behavior, and greed. The whole system which they advanced was designed for the benefit of the leaders.

Paul's response to the duplicity of the false teachers and their followers is clear in the directive he gave Titus: rebuke them sharply. Sometimes the pastor or church leader must boldly confront those who wander from the truth. Though exhibiting gentleness and care, the leader must not shrink from using strong words. He needs to speak to the issue and clarify the wrong and evil into which the individual or group has fallen.

The motive comes not from an enjoyment of confrontation, or from the heady position of pointing out faults, but from an earnest desire that people will be sound in the faith. Encouraging and promoting healthy faith—correct belief and righteous behavior—should remain the goal of all who lead within the church.

Those who exhibit a sound faith will pay no attention to Jewish myths. Paul and the other missionaries often found that the false teachings which festered within the new churches arose from Jewish traditions and fables. These were the stories woven between the lines of the Old Testament. Similarities may have existed between the teachings on Crete and those in Ephesus because Paul also warned that church against those who dealt in myths and genealogies (1 Tim. 1:4). Paul wanted those within the churches to understand the truth of the gospel. They should devote themselves to holiness so they would not pay attention to spiritual fables or to the commands of those who reject the truth.

Not only did the false teachers propagate spiritualizing stories and tales, they also created a system of rules and rituals. These man-made 347commands became the measuring stick of spirituality for the heretical. In fact, these regulations became barometers of their spiritual decline and hollowness. This is often the situation for those who grope about for spiritual direction yet refuse to turn to Christ. In an effort to attain religious distinction, they refuse God's revelation, then masquerade behind strict customs, rules, and traditions."

Don't forget to use the following to supplement your ETB Leader Guide, Discovery Study Guide Teaching Plan (online), or QuickSource. Don't forget to check out EXTRA! too.

Context
There are several good references to the context in the following resources:

• QuickSource, p49 - Overview of Titus the man.
• ETB Leader Guide, p116 - Strengthen Your Church (overview of Creten church)
• ETB Adult Commentary, p11 - The Background information.

TEACHING PLAN SUGGESTIONSLook Up: "Soft Methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are vising and gathering for Bible study. 

• Option One: Distribute Post-it notes to each participant. Ask each to write one characteristic they would look for in a spiritual leader. Once most adults have arrived, ask the group to place their post-it notes on the focal wall. Group similar descriptions together. Ask the group to determine which of the items listed should be number one, two, and three on the list.
•  Option Two: Place the handout, Admired Leader Survey (click to download) in each chair before adults arrive. Once most adults arrive ask them to follow the instructions on the handout. Once adults complete the questionnaire, ask everyone to indicate which items they selected and tally the results. The results will most likely mirror the following results: Honest, Competent, Inspiring will be the top three. The fourth highest will vary between forward- looking and courageous. Explain to the group that this is a secular business survey by James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner. They have surveyed thousands of leaders for 20+ years, asking the question, "What do you most admire and look for in leaders?" The same 4 have been selected more than 50% each time. Discuss with the group whether other things are more important for church leaders.

Transition (Add any background information you learned related to the context)

Explain that in this session you'll see the kind of character that needs to mark the individual you follow in your local church. You will understand more fully the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of spiritual leaders. You will also examine your own character to determine how you can become a better leader. 

We will study this as we look at the letter Paul sent to Titus. Like Timothy, Titus was a young leader who Paul had taken under his wing. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Titus in his work on Crete.

Look In: Supplemental ideas for unpacking the text.

Build Up Believers (Titus 1:1-4)

Explain how one quality of a spiritual leader relates to building up other believers. 

• Ask the group to identify how Paul built up Titus in his greeting to Titus as you read aloud Titus 1:1-4. (called Titus his son or child; pointed out they had a common faith; offered grace and peace; proclaimed Jesus as Christ; explained to Titus his purpose; glorified God)
• How did Paul describe his position to Christ? (slave and an apostle) See Discovery Study Guide Key Words, p75, for explanation or refer to information in your commentary or leader guide.
• How would you describe Paul's purpose? (build up the faith of God's elect) Explain that this means under-girding and nurturing believers' commitment to God. 
• How did Paul's view of his position in Christ, enable enable him to build up believers? 
• Paul also offered hope and faith to Titus. What phrases or words in these passages would give you confidence and hope?
  
• What is the basis of your expectation of eternal life? What difference does it make that Paul based eternal life on the character of God and on promises made before time began? (ETB Leader Guide, p119)
• Would you say that Paul's introduction was more about Paul, Titus, or God? Explain.
• How would you have felt if you had received this letter from Paul? Would you have felt like he was building you up?
• If you were writing a letter to someone who needed your encouragement in the faith, how would you describe your position, purpose, and hope in Christ? Would your letter build up someone else? If so, why? If not, why?

Transition:

From the beginning, Paul turned Titus' attention away from him as the letter's writer and drew attention to the Father as the Author and Finisher of our faith. A strong spiritual leader will be confident in his position and purpose in Christ. His confidence in God will be used to build up other believers.  He will also exhibit strong character traits and will expect those traits to be exhibited by others who desire to lead.

Guard Your Behavior (Titus 1:5-9)

Explain how Paul had left Titus in Crete in order to finish work that had not yet been completed. Crete had multiple churches and a sizable Jewish population. Cretan Jews were present on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul's concern for establishing leadership in each congregation implies the churches were fairly young and in need of a basic organization structure. "Elder" implies the need for a congregational leader.

"Overseer" served as a guardian or a supervisor. Rather than an owner or one holding ultimate authority, the overseer normally was one working as a manager or steward. Elder and overseer reflects the responsibility of one who is to be a spiritual leader.

• Ask the group to read verses 5-9 silently and underline words or phrases that describes the type of leadership traits the elder/overseer should possess. 
• Point out how these traits can be grouped into the following categories: (1) Family qualifications; (2) Character traits; (3) Doctrinal qualifications. 
• Ask the group to review the list from the opening discussion to see if the list aligns with Paul's list. What is missing from the secular list?
• How does one's leadership in his home provide a window into his potential as a church leaders?
• Why did Paul focus on the character of a leader rather than the functional skills of a leader? Which seems to be emphasized more strongly in the church today--character or function? Why? (ETB Leader Guide, p125)
• Which of these categories would a church be willing to overlook if they have a charismatic leader who is growing the church numerically? Why is this so? What does this say about our view of spiritual leadership?
• Why have standards at all? What is the purpose of these standards?
• Given the heavy responsibility placed on spiritual leaders by this list, what can we do to help encourage and protect our leaders?
• Measure your life against these qualifications. What needs to become stronger? 

Transition:

No leader is perfect. But, if biblical standards are not set, someone will set different standards. If these standards aren't biblically based, then leaders who are put in place will lead in a direction that does not honor God.  Standards provide both a guide for selecting leaders and a goal for leaders to strive for. Paul continues to emphasize this as he exhorts Titus to be aware of those leaders who were not living by biblical standards--they were false teachers. Strong spiritual leaders had to be selected who could help protect the church from false teaching.

Correct False Teaching (Titus 1:10-16)

Paul indicated that dangerous elements were already at work in Crete, so Titus needed to move quickly to establish strong leaders and snuff out any heresies that could hinder the believers from growing in their faith.

• What were these false teachers driven by? (greed and power)
• We saw last week that our culture is embracing the obvious. But what about those who might be teaching false doctrine inside the walls of the church?
• How have you seen false teaching disrupt a church? If you haven't experienced it personally, how could it disrupt a church family?
• How would you respond if one of our pastors asked a teacher to step down from teaching because of questionable doctrine? What if that teacher was popular and had grown a large following?
• Based on these verses, what is the purpose of confronting the false teachers? (restoration) Rebuke has two purposes - protection of believers and restoration of those who have strayed into false teaching.
• Can you recall a time when you were rebuked, and as a result, you became more sound in your faith?
• What does this say about the importance of all of our Bible study leaders being accountable to the church for what they teach?
• What kind of pressure rests on the shoulders of leaders to make sure learners are being taught correct doctrine?

 Look Out: Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.

I suggest you choose one of the following conclusions from the resources provided:

•  ETB Leader Guide, Get to the Point, p125.
• ETB Personal Study Guide, What Now?, p99
• Discovery Study Guide, p80. Use the first paragraph and the first activity under Intentional Living.