Open in prayer
Open with each member of the group sharing a prayer request, and then pray for one another.
Scripture reading
The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. An elder is to be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer, God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
Titus 1:5-9
1. Observation
Paul writes to Titus because the churches on Crete were young, vulnerable, and surrounded by moral chaos. Paul does not give Titus a strategy for becoming culturally relevant. He does not tell him to build bigger buildings, attract larger crowds, or create better programmes. He tells him to appoint elders.
When is a church planted? When there are 10 people in attendance? 50 people? 100 people? That’s not what Paul focuses on. When the church can afford to pay their pastor? No, that’s not Paul’s focus either. When the church can afford to hire a venue or build a hall? People. Finances. Venue. All these things are good, but none of these things are what was left undone on Crete.
According to verse 5, what specific task does Paul tell Titus to complete? Why does Paul consider this task more essential than buildings, budgets, or attendance numbers?
2. Interpretation
Paul says an elder is to be blameless. Above reproach. The overarching qualification. It comes first. And it is repeated twice. The candidate must not be under credible accusation of conduct that would disqualify him from leadership. His life, public and private, must give no cause for legitimate reproach against the gospel.
No man is perfect. But the pattern of his life should demonstrate these qualities through gospel grace, not self-effort.
In verses 6-8, Paul lists both negative characteristics to avoid and positive characteristics to pursue. Why do you think Paul frames blamelessness both negatively and positively? What does this tell us about what spiritual maturity actually looks like?
3. You need grace
These characteristics are not just for a select few in the congregation. They are for all Christians. Not out of legalistic fear or pride. But as a fruit of the grace we have received.
Some of you know my father is an evangelical Anglican priest. In my 20s I led a debaucherous life. I was wild and rebellious under my parents’ roof. One day my father came to me and said I’d disqualified him from ministry. That’s the right application of this passage. As you reflect on these characteristics, it should convict you where you fall short of the Biblical standard of spiritual maturity.
Look at the list in verses 6-8. Which of these characteristics most exposes an area of weakness in your own life? Be specific. Is it your temper? Your tongue? Your use of money? Your self-control? Your treatment of your family? Don’t rush past this. Press deeper.
4. Family life reveals fitness
Sermon Reminder: The first two descriptions of blameless relate to family life. He is to be the husband of one wife. Morally and sexually pure. Elders with children under their roof must have faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. His kids respect him. His kids demonstrate a reasonable measure of obedience.
We know he will care for God’s household because we see he has cared for his own household.
Paul puts family life first when describing qualifications for leadership. Why does he do this? What does the way you lead your home—whether you are married or single, with children or without—reveal about your readiness to serve and lead others? Where is there tension or failure in your home that needs to be addressed?
5. Tempted to compromise
The appointed leader is to hold to the faithful message as taught. Good ministers cling to Christ. Cling to the gospel. Cling to the apostles’ teaching. Cling to Scripture. They are not open to novel doctrines.
You don’t come to church to hear me give my top life tips. My philosophy for happy living. You come to church to sit under the preaching of God’s Word, because your soul longs to hear Truth that feeds your soul. Builds you up. Strengthens your inner man.
Verse 9 says elders must be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. Where in your life—at work, in your family, in your own thinking—are you most tempted to compromise biblical truth for comfort, acceptance, or convenience? What specific step will you take this week to hold more firmly to the faithful message?
Who can you share this with?
A spouse, a child, a friend, a co-worker. Who can you share something you’ve learnt with?
Closing prayer
Close your group time by taking specific worries to God together. Pray over the tangible needs mentioned in the group, actively trusting the Heavenly Father who knows what you need before you ask.
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