The Rooftop Experience Begins This Sunday.
- Pray for Sunday morning and for Dennis Pethers.
- Pray for Sunday night as Dennis dialogues with the church.
- Encourage everyone to attend both morning and evening.
- Pray for Neighborhood Outreach, June 9. Details coming soon.
Connect Group Schedule During VBS Preparation (May 26-June 2)
- Sunday, May 26: 11am Adult Connect Groups are asked to stack chairs in their rooms and move them to the pastor's 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
I have made quite a few adjustments to the target of this lesson and the teaching plans this week in order to help us stay focused on the context of the passage. The plan below can be used as a complete plan or as options. I will be drawing a lot of information out of the ETB Commentary for this session. You might want to read the commentary in advance.
THE TARGET
Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding, and doing.
Adults will understand that, no matter their age, spiritual excellence is something to continue striving for. They will identify ways in which they should strive toward spiritual excellence and how their spiritual maturity will effect other believers and the lost.
Resources and Study to Consider:
MyStudyBible Resource: Excellent 5 minute video overview by Gene Getz. I would recommend using it to introduce the lesson if you are comfortable using video. Click to View.
Discovery Study Guide Teaching Plan: There are good questions and an opening illustration you could consider using.
Case Study: Consider using the following case study during the "Look Up" time or at the conclusion of the study of Titus 2:1-10. Based on ETB Leader Guide, p128. You may download and copy the handout if you so choose: Josh Case Study Handout Link
Slavery Explanation (Titus 2:9-10):
"Paul and the early church lived in an empire dominated by the Roman emperor and the Roman senate. The Roman state imposed Roman rule and did not tolerate rebellion or social unrest. The apostles did not have the option of changing the structure of the state or the structures of the society in which they lived through peaceful means . . .
Paul, for example, assumed the existence of slavery. The apostle did not endorse it, but he did not call for a slave revolt either. What he could do, and did, was address the persons trapped in the system of slavery, both master and slave. He urged them to act like followers of Jesus by recognizing all believers as their brothers and sisters in the faith and by dealing with them in love."
"Though the social situation is different for workers in America today, some of the lessons learned in this passage still apply. Employees, are to complete their work with excellence and integrity, reflecting that they know God. They do so because it is right in the eyes of God. They also do so because such behavior highlights the goodness of the gospel for those who have not yet committed themselves to it."
ETB Commentary, pages 121 & 128
TEACHING PLAN SUGGESTIONS
Look Up: "Soft Methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are visiting and gathering for Bible study.
Option One: Prior to adults entering the room, list any or all of the following statements on a marker board:
- Younger adults: I want older adults to view me as . . .
- Older adults: I want younger adults to view me as . . .
- Employees: I want my employer to view me as . . .
Option Two: Prior to adults entering, place a copy of the Meet Josh Case Study in each chair. After most adults have entered, ask if anyone read the case study when they came in. Ask the group to share any advice they might have for Josh. Explain that, much like Josh, the Cretan church was made up of a variety of people -- some older, some younger, men, women, and even slaves.
Transition and Context: Paul expands his leadership conversations in chapter 1 so Titus can know how to teach all believers in the Cretan church including older men, older women, younger men, younger women, and slaves. While slavery is not part our culture today, the principles outlined can be applied to employee-employer relationships. Basically, he raises the bar of spiritual excellence and expectation for all members of the churches in Crete. No one was exempt from striving for spiritual excellence. No one is exempt from living their lives in a way that demonstrates to the lost world that following Christ does change one's life.
Paul emphasized that both church leaders and church members should provide a living example of true Christianity. Today we will examine the expectations Paul outlined for all believers. We will evaluate how well we are doing in carrying out his expectations in our lives today so others will see Christ in us.
Look In: Supplemental ideas for unpacking the text.
What does Spiritual Excellence Look Like? (Titus 2:1-10)
Read Titus 2:1. Explain: There were no chapter breaks when Paul wrote this letter to Titus. Previously, in chapter 1, Paul talked with Titus about the qualifications of the pastors he was to select; he warns him of the dangers related to false teachers. Imagine now, Paul looking Titus straight in the eye to emphasize his strong directive: "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine."
Read Titus 2:15. Explain: He concludes chapter 2 with a very similar statement, "Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you." Titus had a huge task. He was to help a young church strive toward spiritual excellence in the midst of a culture that didn't care. He was to help believers live differently from the world around them.
Draw 5 columns on the markerboard, or instruct the group to draw five columns in their study guides. Instruct the group to list in their guides or on the markerboard the following, one in each column: Older Men, Older Women, Younger Women, Younger Men, Employees. Guide the discussion of verses 1-10 with the following questions and explanations:
Column 1 - Older Men (v2):
- What were older men supposed to do? (list in column)
- Which of the qualities listed is most important to you? Explain.
- Describe the characteristics of someone who would be worthy of respect.
- Why is endurance so important for older men to demonstrate?
- How can these be demonstrated in the church? Describe situations or actions.
- How can these be demonstrated outside the church? Describe situations or actions.
- Share examples you have seen when older men backed off of being examples of spiritual excellence? (quit serving, quit attending, became focused on hobbies, have affairs, compromise relationships, try to live like younger men, etc.)
- How did these men's lack of spiritual excellence affect you? The church?
- What does "in the same way" mean? (As well as older men, women should also be just as serious about what they are to be doing)
- What were older women supposed to do? (list in column)
- Describe situations and actions in which these might be demonstrated inside and outside of the church.
- What if you saw one of our older women who was very active in our church buying a large bottle of wine, whiskey, or beer in the grocery store? Or, how would you view an active Christian man or woman from our church, who was arrested for public intoxication?
- How would that affect your view of him/her as a Christian leader in our church?
- How would a lost person who knew of their faith view their Christian witness?
- Even though "much wine" is how this is translated, it is all about self-control, being sober-minded, and remaining stable. He was addressing cultural issues of his day. Today, taking a drink is not worth the risk to our lives, our families, or our Christian witness. It is a much different world today. How do older women teach what is good? What is the content of good teaching based on these passages.
- How have you seen older women back off and fail to fulfill their spiritual obligations? (similar list to older men)
- Read following: "They are, to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women." Explain: Older women can't teach what they aren't modeling.
Column 3 - Younger Women (vv4-5):
- What were younger women supposed to learn? (list in column)
- Which of these is most difficult for younger women to learn? Why?
- What areas would be included in Paul's phrase, "sensible about everything." (list in column)
- Explain: Titus was also young and needed to lead the way. What were the examples he was supposed to reflect to his peers and older adults? (list in column)
- Would this look like a "sensible" list for young men?
- How would you describe teaching that is an example of integrity and dignity?
- How can a young man's example be a witness to all age church members? To the lost world?
- "I have raised my children and paid my dues in church; it's time for me to back off and invest in things I want to do."
- "I am young and know exactly what needs to be done. I wish the older people would just step aside and let me do this."
Column 5 - Slaves or Employees (vv9-10)
- Share a brief explanation of the concept of slavery in Paul's day.
- Explain how we will use the princples to hep us learn to relate to people in the workplace, particularly our bosses.
- Based on this passage, list ways in which we can set a Christian example in the workplace. (add to column)
- Which of these areas is most difficult for you in your work environment?
- How has the behavior of believing Christians affected your faith? (share both positive and negative experiences)
What is the goal of spiritual excellence? (Continuing with Titus 2:1-10)
Ask the group to identify the "so that" phrases in verses 1-10. (vv4a; 5b; 8b; 10b)
- Ask everyone to read aloud the phrases from their study guide translation or read them aloud to the group.
- How would you summarize the goal of striving for spiritual excellence?
What is our motivation?(vs11-14)
Read vv11-14 aloud. Discuss: Suppose I were to give you a free trip around the world to see all you had ever hoped to see.
- How would you respond to the gift? Would you be excited?
- What would you have to do to get ready? (i.e. diet, research, get in shape, etc.)
- This is because you were hoping for what was to come--that which had already been promised to you.
- Explain that waiting does not mean doing nothing.
- It means we are growing and striving toward something that has been promised to us.
Look Out: Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.
Paul urged Titus to say "No" to the world, its egocentric notions, and its self-indulgent practices. Christians are called to live in the reality of God's truth. This places upon us the responsibility to live in the manner of Jesus Christ—self-controlled, pure, good, diligent, and obedient.
The unchanging God must stand as the immovable center of the Christian life if we are to live in a godly manner. God is our enabling power, the master of our spirit, the light that casts upon us a measure of his glory. (HNTC, Vol. 09)
God's grace has saved people so they can live godly lives as they await Christ's coming. Paul's challenge to us to to live the Chrisitan life with excellence, regardless of our station in life.
Option One Look Up Conclusion: Review the notes in each column. Refer back to the statement completed at the beginning of the study. Are there any adjustments you would want to make, based on the study today?
Additional Options:
- If you are younger, look for an older person who exemplifies the pursuit of spiritual excellence, and visit with them about ways you can learn from them.
- If you are older, look for someone younger you can visit with. Ask them how you can pray for them. Ask them if there is any way you can help them better pursue a life of spiritual excellence.
