Chapter Summary

Divine order for local churches.

Discussion Questions for Titus, Chapter 1

1. Paul writes to Titus that he is writing for, "the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth" (Titus 1:1) Who are God's elect? Is it all believers or just a portion of them? If they are chosen by God, then why would they need faith or knowledge?
2. Titus 1:2 says that God promised eternal life before time began. Do all human beings have eternal life? If so, are there any differences for people based on their lives on earth?
3. Titus 1:1-2 refers to the elect and God's promise of eternal life before time began. Do you believe all things are predestined by God? If so, are human beings able to reject God's plan for them? Why or why not?
4. Paul gives Titus a list of qualifications for elders in a church, one of which is the husband of one wife. How do you define a man being a husband of one wife? Do you think a divorced and remarried man should become an elder or pastor of a church? Why or why not? Does the requirement of being a husband disqualify a woman from being a pastor or elder of a church? Why or why not?
5. A qualification of an elder listed in Titus is that his children are faithful. Why does the spiritual condition of a person's children affect their qualifications to be a leader?
6. A qualification of an elder is that they are not a drunkard. (Titus 1:7) Should a church leader drink alcohol? Why or why not? How does a leader's personal life affect their ability to lead a church?
7. Those who held fast to circumcision in Paul's time held fast to tradition and law. How does tradition affect the teachings of the scripture in the church? How have traditions affected your spiritual journey?
8. Paul writes how false teaching was upsetting whole families (Titus 1:11). How do you know if the teaching is the "faithful message?" (verse 9). When people become upset in the church and create discord, how should be the church respond?
9. Paul writes in Titus 1:15, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled." How can the church witness and minister to the unbeliever if nothing is pure in their minds?
10. Paul declares in Titus 1:16, "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." What role does our actions play in our salvation? How do believers' actions affect their testimony?

Key Words/Phrase

Deceivers, v. 10.

Characters

God, Christ, Paul, Titus.

Strong Verse(s)

15