Studying Paul’s Letter to Titus

The Apostle Paul was an amazing leader. One of the leadership skills that he championed was mentorship. And a young man who was brought through Paul’s mentorship into leadership was Titus.

Yesterday our church started a new preaching series on Paul’s letter to Titus. At the time it was written, Paul was entrusting Titus with the difficult task of establishing the Cretan church.

Walk With Us

As our church walks through this series, I’d invite you to walk with us. Each week, I’ll post the passage and some coinciding study questions for you to use in your personal or Small Group study.

Feel free to leave your thoughts at the bottom of each post or on your favourite social network. Let’s get started.

Titus 1:1-9 – NIV

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.“

Study Questions

1. What are your initial thoughts or feelings about the passage and/or message?
2. What is Paul really saying in his lengthy introduction? What do you hear? Who was he?
3. Mentorship to younger men was key to Paul’s ministry. Discuss your thoughts on mentorship with the church today. Should it be happening more?
4. We looked at a number of passages that describe Titus’ character. Why do you think Paul chose Titus to establish and lead the Cretan church?
5. Titus was a young leader with a huge responsibility (to build up leadership). What would be going through your mind if you were him?
6. Paul gives Titus a rough job description for church Eldership. What aspect of this description impacts you most and why is it so important to you?
7. Does Paul expect Elders to be perfect? If not, what should Eldership look like?
8. How will this week’s passage and message change how you live this week?

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:

Who is mentoring you right now? If the answer is no one, who can you turn to today and begin your mentorship journey?