HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1471
Titus
I F Y O U A R E M A R R I E D or have ever thought about marriage,
you know there comes a certain time when you “fall in love,” when a
relationship becomes serious. If you haven’t already, it’s time to do
some real thinking about the kind of person you want to spend the rest
of your life with. This is not the time to screen biographical sketches,
look over previous job experiences, or review educational qualifications. This is a time to examine personal qualifications. This is a time
to get serious about the person as a person, to discover what kind of
character he or she has.
Although filled with practical advice on other
What you will be
reading about
matters, the focus of Paul’s letter to Titus is on
what makes an effective Christian leader. What
1:1- 4
kind of person should Titus choose to lead the
Paul’s opening greeting
churches on the island of Crete? What qualities
1:5- 9
are “standard” for any Christian leader? This
Qualifications for church
leaders
was not a search for educational credentials or
job experience. This was a character check.
1:10 -16
Warning against false
Titus was probably one of Paul’s converts
teachers
during Paul’s early ministry. When trouble
2:1-15
came to the church at Corinth, Paul asked Titus
Right living in the church
to take care of it, and Titus proved himself capable. Then Paul sent Titus to Crete to oversee
3:1-11
Right living in society
the churches there and appoint leaders to help
him (1:5). Crete was a tough place to minister. Its
3:12 -15
Paul’s closing words
culture was gluttonous and lazy. Overall, there
wasn’t much emphasis placed on character. The
kind of leader Titus chose would be all-important. Paul sent this letter to give
him counsel.
Paul dives right in, making it clear that leaders should be temperate, serious, holy, discreet, loving, trustworthy, patient, disciplined, reverent, good
examples and role models, obedient to God’s Word, and full of grace and good
deeds. Leaders must live their faith, not merely talk about it. They should be
godly, morally and spiritually fit, and free of worldly passions.
Does this sound like a monumental task? It can be. But God promises we
can all achieve these qualifications of leadership if we desire them sincerely,
discipline ourselves, and seek the help of the Holy Spirit.
Each of us has some kind of leadership role—parent, teacher, pastor, or just
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