Titus Study - Week 4: Authority, controversy, and devotion.

Click here for study introduction questions on Titus

Click here for week 2 questions on Titus chapter 1

Click here for week 3 questions on Titus chapter 2

Today’s topic: Authority, controversy, and devotion.

Prayer & group Reading of Titus chapter 3

1. Who is being addressed in chapter 3? How is this different from who is being addressed in 2:15? 

2. How does 3:1-2 compare to 1:16? What are the actions of those who claim to know God, but truly do not know God (Hint look at 1:16)? What are the actions of those who know God (Hint look at 3:1-2)?

3. What change occurred so that the “people” of 3:1 and the “we” of 3:3 were once one way, but now are another (Hint, look at 3:4-5)?

4. Who is the agent of this change (Hint, look at 3:5-6)?

5. What is the future hope of this change (Hint, look at 3:7)?

6. What can this group now do that the group of 1:16 couldn’t do (Hint, look at 1:16 and 3:8)?

7. What are Titus and the believers on Crete to avoid (Hint, look at 3:9)? 

8. Why should Titus and the believers avoid these things (Hint, look at 3:9)?

9. If someone does engage in this sort of foolishness, what should Titus and the church do (Hint, look at 3:10)?

10. Is there ever a time when we should NOT welcome someone (Hint, look at 3:11)?

11. Do arguments and quarrels help lead to godliness and hope of eternal life (Hint, compare Titus 3:9-11, and Titus 1:1-2 and Matthew 5:27-30)?

12. What is the goal of devotion “to doing what is good” (Hint, look at 3:14)? 

13. What encouragement can we take from the specific mention of Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas, and Apollos?

Self Study questions:

1. What are the challenges in being “subject to rulers and authorities” (3:1)? Is it easy or difficult for you to submit to authority? Why? 

2. What obstacles stand in your way to being “ready to do whatever is good”? 

3. Is it easier to pour out your frustrations about someone or something to another person, or to the Lord in prayer? Have you ever “vented” or let out all your stresses before the Lord in prayer? 

4. Titus 3:2 says to “be peaceable and considerate”. What makes this challenging? How can we possibly be peaceable and considerate in the midst of so often having to submit ourselves to the desires, rules, or authority of others? 

5. What does it mean to be gentle towards someone (3:2)? What does it mean for you to be gentle towards your spouse, your parents, your children, your grandchildren, your boss, your employees, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? 

6. What is the kindness of God that appeared (3:4)? 

7. How has God’s kindness come to you? How has God’s mercy come to you? 

8. Have you ever had to separate from another church? Another friend? Someone who you at one time had fellowship with? 

9. What happens if you remain in fellowship/relationship with someone you should not (Read Matthew 5:27-30 for Jesus’ perspective on how we ought to respond to things which contribute to our sin). 

10. How does the letter to Titus individually name and attribute actions to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Hint, look at 3:4, 3:5, and 3:6). 

11. What are the good works that God has already called you to in this life? What are the places you haven’t chosen to go, the relationships you didn’t pick, what are the needs around you that are urgent? 

12. What does an unproductive life look like according to the letter to Titus? Is it the presence of something, or the absence of something? (Hint, look at 3:14) 

13. Now that we’ve looked at all 3 chapters of Titus, what does a devoted life look like in your understanding?