Week of 3/1/26 and Daylight Savings
Dear Church Family,
I hope you are enjoying the springish weather! As your minds start thinking towards spring cleanup or garden and other preparations I want to encourage you to think about how to incorporate 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, either doing good to your brothers and sisters through your projects (planting extra) or helping others who need it. I see you doing well at this, "but I urge you, brothers and sisters, to do this more and more". Who is someone new you could bless or have over for a spring cookout? Begin praying for those opportunities, relationships, and growth together in the Lord.
Home Enjoyment
Read Titus 1:1-9. We'll focus primarily on Paul's instruction/command for Titus to appoint elders in the churches (Vs 5) and what that has to do with accomplishing God's purposes in the church (Vs 1-4).
Considering 1-4 for a moment.
How do most people get good at a skill or profession?
Play out an example or two (ex.- banker or carpenter).
Why does it matter who teaches you and how? What are the consequences if you don't learn the skills or the purpose behind them?
Does the purpose matter as long as you can do what's required?
When we look at the 'faith of God's elect' and "their knowledge of the truth", how do we know when someone 'gets it'?
Personal Reflection: Do you currently see yourself growing in godliness and making decisions that only make sense if you believe in eternity with Jesus? What are some things in your life that would be hindering that?
Paul's life is full of examples of faith in a literal, scriptural, and personal Jesus (Truth), which led him to godliness at great cost and living in light of eternity, not what is temporal. What evidence do you see in verses 4 and 5 that he believed Titus would do the same?
It appears many people had accepted Jesus throughout Crete at some point previous, if that's the case what does Paul mean by 'put what remained into order'? Is that only appointing elders?
What is your understanding of what an elder does? What do you think are some of God's purposes in having them lead the church?
I mentioned in the message Sunday that today 'pastor' is a cultural term for a compensated elder based on 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Is there any difference in scripture between elder, overseer(also translated bishop), and shepherd(also translated pastor)?
Look at Acts 20:17-28 and 1 Peter 5:1-4. How do the different words show different roles of the same office?
How might separating the terms pastor and elder in the church possibly hinder discipleship in a local church?
Does Paul seem to think that the role of elder is optional?
Can you think of examples from Jesus ministry that validate disciple making in a similar way to what Paul is asking Titus to do?
What does Hebrews 13:17 have to say to elders and those in the church about how to respond to one another in the process of discipleship?
Personal Reflection: Are you doing that?
My prayer is that studying Titus will lead us to a greater understanding of Jesus' heart for discipleship throughout the church and the grace that he gives through taking ordinary people and using them for his kingdom purposes and glory!
In His Love,
Phillip, a shepherd and brother in the Lord Jesus Christ
I hope you are enjoying the springish weather! As your minds start thinking towards spring cleanup or garden and other preparations I want to encourage you to think about how to incorporate 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, either doing good to your brothers and sisters through your projects (planting extra) or helping others who need it. I see you doing well at this, "but I urge you, brothers and sisters, to do this more and more". Who is someone new you could bless or have over for a spring cookout? Begin praying for those opportunities, relationships, and growth together in the Lord.
Home Enjoyment
Read Titus 1:1-9. We'll focus primarily on Paul's instruction/command for Titus to appoint elders in the churches (Vs 5) and what that has to do with accomplishing God's purposes in the church (Vs 1-4).
Considering 1-4 for a moment.
How do most people get good at a skill or profession?
Play out an example or two (ex.- banker or carpenter).
Why does it matter who teaches you and how? What are the consequences if you don't learn the skills or the purpose behind them?
Does the purpose matter as long as you can do what's required?
When we look at the 'faith of God's elect' and "their knowledge of the truth", how do we know when someone 'gets it'?
Personal Reflection: Do you currently see yourself growing in godliness and making decisions that only make sense if you believe in eternity with Jesus? What are some things in your life that would be hindering that?
Paul's life is full of examples of faith in a literal, scriptural, and personal Jesus (Truth), which led him to godliness at great cost and living in light of eternity, not what is temporal. What evidence do you see in verses 4 and 5 that he believed Titus would do the same?
It appears many people had accepted Jesus throughout Crete at some point previous, if that's the case what does Paul mean by 'put what remained into order'? Is that only appointing elders?
What is your understanding of what an elder does? What do you think are some of God's purposes in having them lead the church?
I mentioned in the message Sunday that today 'pastor' is a cultural term for a compensated elder based on 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Is there any difference in scripture between elder, overseer(also translated bishop), and shepherd(also translated pastor)?
Look at Acts 20:17-28 and 1 Peter 5:1-4. How do the different words show different roles of the same office?
How might separating the terms pastor and elder in the church possibly hinder discipleship in a local church?
Does Paul seem to think that the role of elder is optional?
Can you think of examples from Jesus ministry that validate disciple making in a similar way to what Paul is asking Titus to do?
What does Hebrews 13:17 have to say to elders and those in the church about how to respond to one another in the process of discipleship?
Personal Reflection: Are you doing that?
My prayer is that studying Titus will lead us to a greater understanding of Jesus' heart for discipleship throughout the church and the grace that he gives through taking ordinary people and using them for his kingdom purposes and glory!
In His Love,
Phillip, a shepherd and brother in the Lord Jesus Christ
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