My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, August 6th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.
Titus 1:1-9
Week 1 – We Must Have a Plan
Discipleship must be at the heart of all we do – vv. 1-3
Notice Paul’s heart as he writes to Pastor Titus.
Faith
- Trust in Christ. Assurance of salvation.
Knowledge
- More than facts. Trusting in truth.
- Belief that has impact.
Godliness
- A life shaped by our devotion and reverence toward God
Entrusted
- Sacred stewardship.
This is the same message/desire given by Christ to His disciples. Matthew 28:18-20
This was Paul’s motivation in life. Lead others to KNOW Christ, GROW in Christ. GO for Christ.
We must have a plan and strategy as a church – vv. 4-5a
This is why I left you in Crete
- The local church matters. We cannot do the CHRISTIAN LIFE alone. We will always be lacking something.
Put what remained in order
- Complete what is lacking. It was planted, not growing.
Appoint
- Place with purpose. Structure. Order
The local church is essential for discipleship, both for my personal growth and for the collective body of Christ. We must take it seriously.
So goes the leadership, so goes the church – vv. 5b-9
Elders
- Their calling and character.
- Lead, strengthen, guide the church toward their purpose.
Above reproach
- Not perfect, but blameless. Unchargeable.
- From the top down. We must have leadership expectations.
He must hold firm (tightly)
- Trustworthy word
- (sufficient, inerrant, infallible)
Teach
- Give instruction in Sound doctrine
Rebuke
- To expose, convict, or correct error
Where we raise the bar of accountability and expectations will define who we are and what we attract.