Sound Doctrine Matters

Greeting and Purpose (Verses 1-4)

Titus 1:1–4 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

— Titus 1:1–4 (ESV)

• What does it mean to be a servant?
• When did God work out the whole plan of Christ being born as a man and dying on the cross?
• What is the purpose of Paul’s letter to Titus?
• What can we take from this letter to apply to our lives today?

Qualifications for Church Elders (Verses 5-9)

Titus 1:5–9 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

— Titus 1:5–9 (ESV)

• Why was it important for Titus to “take what remains into order”?
• Let’s list the qualifications for church elders. What are your thoughts on these qualifications?
• What is a steward?
• Does it surprise you that an elder must be able to rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine? Why or why not?
• How does Matthew 28:19 relate to this passage on elders?

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Rebuke of False Teachers and Corrupt Influence (Verses 10-16)

Titus 1:10–16 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 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. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

— Titus 1:10–16 (ESV)

• What is Paul talking about here?
  • Insubordinate
  • Empty talkers
  • Deceivers
• Do we see any of those today? If so, what do you think we should do in response?
• How do you think Paul’s words relate to the current situation in the church?

Be wary of good talk but bad walk!

God is who He says He is, not what we think He is.

Are we striving to meet the qualifications for church elders?

We should all be attempting to meet these qualifications regardless of our current status in the church.