Slices
Prepare
When you think of someone whose life shows the beauty of God’s grace, who comes to mind and why?
Bible passage
Doing good for the sake of the gospel
2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 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.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 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.
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 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 Saviour attractive.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 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.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Explore
As Paul unpacks his theme of ‘the truth that leads to godliness’ (1:1), he turns his attention to family life. Although set in the context of first-century norms, such as living in extended family groups and employing slaves, it remains relevant, especially when read alongside Paul’s other teaching (eg Ephesians 5:21–33 on marriage, and the book of Philemon on slavery). Addressing different social groups, he encourages Titus to help them apply three overarching qualities: self-control, uprightness and godliness (v 12). Which of these seems most necessary today? What groupings might Paul choose if he wrote to your church today, and how might he apply those qualities?
Threading through the chapter is the idea of being an example: older generations to younger, Titus to his contemporaries and, above all, the church to the world. Looking back, who inspired you? Our words, actions, attitudes and character bring the beauty of what God has already done (v 11) and the beauty of what he will do (v 13) into the present. Our ways in this world interweave the beauty of what we have received with that of what we wait for into radiant proof that God has made us his own: redeemed, purified, and eager to welcome the goodness of his kingdom however we can (v 14).
Respond
‘Jesus, let my life be a beautiful example of your grace. Show me specifically how it can be more beautiful and help me in this.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ecclesiastes 10,11; 1 Timothy 2
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Faith Guides as they reveal Jesus to a generation with little or no knowledge of Jesus or the Bible. Help them to find the right words to be able to explain God’s love so that children and young people can discover how knowing Jesus changes everything! (This week's prayers relate to this article.)
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