This week we transition from a study of 1 and 2 Timothy to the book of Titus. Paul concluded 2 Timothy by challenging Timothy to endure because false teachers would be on the increase. This session focuses on Titus 1:1-16. Paul dedicates this entire letter to helping Titus learn how to remain faithful to the truth and strive to live a holy life, knowing that some will reject that truth and view his commitment as intolerant.
False teaching is something to which we have to respond as a church. I suggest you bring in examples of those who have abused the church and espoused false teaching, to use as examples of what Paul describes in Titus 1:10-16:
For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.
To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:10-16 CSB)Someone once said that “False teachers are not just false in their teaching, but also in their living.” Lead your group to consider the following:
- Do you think Christians are more apt to overlook false living if someone is a dynamic speaker?
- Do you think Christians are more apt to overlook false teaching if someone is a dynamic speaker? Why or why not?
- If a pastor begins to teach false doctrine or false living, how should the church respond? How would you respond?
- If a teacher, deacon, or elder began to espouse false doctrine or false living, how should the church respond? How would you respond?
- How would you respond if a popular Christian leader was called out for false teaching or false living?
