The Letter to Titus
Inductive Bible Studies
Leader’s Guide
Greg Chao
Jan. 25, 2015
Inductive Bible Studies on the Letter to the Titus
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Inductive Bible Studies on the Letter to the Titus
Table of Contents
Purpose ......................................................................... 4
Guidelines and Tips ........................................................ 4
Background to the Letter to Titus ................................... 7
Titus 1:1-9 – Knowledge leading to Godliness/Godly
Leaders .......................................................................... 9
Titus 1:10-16 – “Leaders Who Teach Poorly” ................. 10
Titus 2:1-10 – What to Teach ........................................ 11
Titus 2:11-3:2 – Grace/Gospel Teaches You................... 12
Titus 3:3-8 – Salvation by Faith Alone ........................... 13
Titus 3:9-15 – Practical Advice for Leaders .................... 14
Appendix – Insights & Comments for Leaders ............... 15
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Purpose: How does salvation in Christ lead to right living?
These studies were created to help the seeker and the believer
alike answer that question. The Apostle Paul shares how our
belief in Christ affects our lifestyle and gives some practical tips
on leadership.
The recommended format provides in a low commitment, low
pressure environment where questions can be freely explored.
This guide provides material and tips to help you assist others to
go directly to the source, the Bible, and draw their own
conclusions. The studies use the method of “inductive”
questioning utilizing questions to bring out observations,
meaning, and applications from the text itself.
In any growing church, the Bible should be read and studied and
held in the highest esteem. Those who have been touched by
God will be excited to share their faith with others characterized
by being:
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“Organic or spontaneous, outside of church’s organized
programs
Relational, in the context of informal personal relationships
Word deployed, bringing the Bible and gospel into
connection with people’s lives
Active, not passive where each person assumes personal
responsibility for being a producer rather than being a
consumer of ministry”1
Guidelines and Tips: Here are some tips as you prepare and
conduct the Bible study. The inductive questions for each
passage in Titus are versatile enough to work with in a one-onone or group format. They can be used for Bible studies for
Christians, seekers, or a mixture of the two.
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1
Place – Find a quiet place where you can talk without being
interrupted or distracted.
Keller, Timothy, Center Church, p. 280
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Bible/Material – Make sure there is a Bible for each of you.
Try to get the same version if possible. Print out the
questions for each of you beforehand. (Do not print out the
answers in the Appendix since you are trying to encourage
discussion.)
Number of meetings – There are 6 studies provided
intended for 6 weeks. Agree on the amount of time
together (1-1 ½ hours should be sufficient).
Set Expectations – The time you spend together will be
informal where all questions are welcome. You may not
have the answers to them on the spot but you can research
and try to provide answers during the next meeting. No
homework should be required.
Read the Passage First – Make sure and read the passage
entirely. For flow and clarity, it is better for one person to
read the entire passage.
Sharing Question (for small groups only) - A sharing
question is provided for each study that is related to the
passage. Go around in a circle and share (make sure you
give the option of “passing” if someone does not want to
share).
Work through the Study Questions –The study questions
are meant to bring out the meaning of the passage through
discussion. Although you will find some answers/insights to
the questions in the appendix, don’t just blurt out the
answers. Allow the group/individual to get at the answers
through observing the passage. There is usually an
application question at the end.
Conversation – Don’t do all the talking. Listen a lot. Be
interested in what the other person has to say. Allowing
the conversation to drift for a time can be beneficial. Bring
it back by using the questions. Don’t feel obligated to
correct; each individual in the group can decide for
themselves whether they agree. You can bring in other
opinions by saying, “what do the rest of you think?” or
“here is another way to look at it.” Always be gracious.
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
Becoming a Christian – After each study, determine if you
would like to invite the seeker to become a Christian. If so,
here are two examples of a simple prayer of invitation.
Either could be used.
“Father, I’ve always believed in you and Jesus Christ, but my
heart’s most fundamental trust was elsewhere---in my own
competency and decency. This has only gotten me into
trouble. As far as I know my own heart, today I give it to
you, I transfer my trust to you, and ask that you would
receive and accept me not for anything I have done but
because of everything Christ has done for me.”2
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for
Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose
from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come
into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my
Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”3
Note that each prayer had an element of 1)
acknowledgement of one’s personal sins and a desire to
change, 2) asking for forgiveness from God, 3)
acknowledging the work of Christ as Savior and 4)
transferring trust in God (giving over control of one's life).
2
3
The Reason for God, Timothy Keller, p. 245
http://www.billygrahamlibrary.org/PGView.aspx?pid=13
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Background to the Letter to Titus
Background – “Paul held a warm affection for Titus. He called
him, “To Titus a true child in accordance with a common faith”
(cf. Titus 1:4). Paul also called Titus “my partner and fellow
worker” (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:23).
Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the apostolic council in
Jerusalem to discuss the issue of circumcision, which certain
Jewish converts called Judaizers were insisting was necessary
for the Gentiles according to the law of Moses (cf. Galatians 2:1;
Acts 15:2). Titus was a Greek Gentile himself. The council did
not compel him to be circumcised and upheld that Gentiles as
well as Jews were saved by God's grace in Christ through faith
alone without complying with the laws of Moses (cf. Acts
15:11).
Titus was with Paul on Paul's third missionary journey. Paul
spent most of that journey working in Ephesus. Paul sent Titus
to Corinth as his personal agent when problems arose in the
church there. It appears that Titus rejoined Paul in Macedonia
to report the comforting news that Paul's ministerial efforts
with the Corinthians had been successful (cf. 2 Corinthians
7:6,7, 13,14) Afterwards Titus returned to Corinth to encourage
the Christians there and to assist them in completing the
collection for the saints in Jerusalem (cf. 2 Corinthians
8:6,16,17).
When Paul was released from his first imprisonment in Rome,
he apparently did some mission work with Titus on the island of
Crete. Congregations were established “in every town” (cf. Titus
1:5). Paul then appears to have traveled from Crete to Ephesus
and then to Macedonia as he had intended to do (cf. Philemon
22; Philippians 2:24). When Paul left Crete (AD 63), he left Titus
in charge to complete the organization of the church there, to
deal with the false teachers who were upsetting the faith of
whole households, and to carry on the pastoral work that still
needed to be done on Crete (cf. Titus 1:5,10,11; 2:1f). Paul left
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Titus with the verbal instructions he was to carry out (cf. Titus
1:5).
It appears that Titus was later relieved on Crete by Artemas or
Tychicus, and that Titus then traveled to Nicopolis of the Roman
province of Epirus on the western coast of Greece to spend the
winter with Paul (cf. Titus 3:12). Titus also seems to have been
present with Paul during a portion of Paul's second
imprisonment in Rome before Paul sent him to the Roman
province of Dalmatia on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea
across from Italy (cf. 2 Timothy 4:10).” 4
What’s the big idea – The message of the Gospel is termed “sound
doctrine” in this letter. It is the message that Christ has saved us
through an act of incredible grace on the cross and nothing else
needs to supplement this work. In the letter of Titus, Paul
wants Titus to stick with this message --- focus on it and not get
side tracked. The Gospel is supremely practical and will even
teach us to live right. Leaders of the church must hold on to
“sound doctrine” and display maturity through living out its
reality as an example to others.
4
http://www.christianinconnect.com/titus.htm
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Titus 1:1-9 – Knowledge leading to Godliness/Godly
Leaders
Study 1
Sharing Question: What has been the most influential means of
learning about the doctrines of your faith?
1. What is the meaning of “a faith and knowledge that leads to
godliness?” How does it “rest on the hope of eternal life?”
How is this a promise that God gave “before the beginning
of time?” What does he mean that he brought his word to
light at the “appointed time?”
2. How did Paul get entrusted with preaching the word? How
is Titus Paul’s “true son?” Why is it important that Titus
appoint “overseers” or “elders?”
3. What does it mean that the overseer/elder must be
“blameless” (used twice in verse 6 & 7)? In your opinion,
how difficult a criterion is this? Why is a measure of an
elder also dependent on being “husband of but one wife”
and “children who believe and are not open to the charge
of being wild and disobedient?”
4. What does it mean that he must not be “overbearing” and
not “quick-tempered?” What does it mean “not given to
drunkenness and not violent?” What does it mean “not
pursuing dishonest gain?”
5. What is “hospitable” and why would it be important for an
elder? What does it mean that he must “love what is
good?” What does it mean that he is “self-controlled?”
“Upright?” “Holy?” “Disciplined?”
6. Why is it important that he “must hold firmly to the
trustworthy message as it has been taught?” How is he to
use this message?
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Titus 1:10-16 – Leaders Who Teach Poorly
Study 2
Sharing Question: Share a time where you spotted a
commercial trying to manipulate you. What techniques did
they use?
1. How are “talkers and deceivers” ultimately “rebellious”
people? Why does Paul specifically name the “circumcision
group?” What was wrong with their teaching? How have
they lost the true message of the Gospel?
2. Why must these people be “silenced?” How do they “ruin
whole households?” How do they get “dishonest gain?”
3. Assuming there was a common saying that “Cretans are
always liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons,”5 what is Paul
pointing out about their sayings?
4. What does it mean to “rebuke them sharply?” How will this
lead to turning them around to be “sound in the faith?”
5. “To be pure, all things are pure, but to those who are
corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure” refers to
Jesus’ teaching that purity comes from the heart not the
practices (see Mark 7:14-15). Why is it important to
emphasize that purity comes from the heart?
6. How is it that their minds and consciences are corrupted?
How can they get to a point where they believe they “know
God?” Why is it important to look at their actions rather
than just rely on their words?
7. How does this make them “detestable and disobedient and
unfit for anything good?”
5
Although unnamed, the prophet referred to is probably Epimenides of
Cnossos, a half mythical sixth century B.C. Greek…called the Cretans liars
because they claimed to have the tomb of Zeus among them. The Interpreter
Bible, p.530
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Titus 2:1-10 – What to Teach
Study 3
Sharing Question: Share about a mentor in your life.
1. What is “sound doctrine?” How does “sound doctrine”
connect to the following passages about good character?
2. Why do older men need to be “temperate, worthy of
respect and self-controlled?” Why must he be “sound” in
faith, love, and endurance? From this description, what is
the role of older men?
3. What does it mean that older women need to be reverent?
Why is it important they love their husbands & children?
Why must they be self-controlled, busy at home6, & kind?
From this description, what is the role of older women?
4. Why must younger men be self-controlled? Paul shifts, at
this point, and talks directly to Titus. Why is it important
that Titus be a “model” of good works & integrity? Why is it
important that he have sound speech?
5. How are slaves to behave?7 How does their good behavior
become an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior?
6. Why do you think self-control is mentioned repeatedly?
6
Some of these characteristics may be culturally based and may or may not apply to
today. It will be up to you to determine those characteristics that are more universal
such as “not slanderers” and those that apply specifically to Paul’s time (e.g. slavery,
busy at home?, etc.).
7 We find in Paul’s teaching that he understood there is ultimately no hierarchies among
believers and that we must discard our old categories of thinking of ourselves. “You are
all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized in Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male
or female, for you are all one in Christ.” Galatians 3:26-28. However, while we are on
the earth, we have different roles and responsibilities and must perform them well.
These roles do not make us better or worse than others; rather, we are to see ourselves
like parts of a body that have different functions all working together for the good of all.
This radical idea paved the way for the eventual elimination of slavery (Philemon) and
the expanded role of women in the church (which had already begun in the early church
(Romans 16:7)).
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Titus 2:11-3:2 – Grace/Gospel Teaches You
Study 4
Sharing Question: When was a time where you felt like God
changed you in some way?
1. What is the “grace of God that brings salvation?” How does
it bring salvation?
2. How does it teach us to say “no” ungodliness and worldly
passions? How does it teach us to live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives?
3. What is the “blessed hope?” How did Jesus Christ “give
himself for us?” How did he redeem us from wickedness
and purify us? How does this make us “eager to do good?”
4. What are “these things” that Titus should teach? What
does it mean that Titus should “encourage?” What does it
mean that he should “rebuke?” Why is there a statement
that he should not “let anyone despise you?”
5. Why does Paul teach that they should be “subject to rulers
and authorities?” What does it mean “ready to do
whatever is good?” What is the meaning of “slander no
one, peaceable, and considerate?” How does one “show
true humility toward all men?”
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Titus 3:3-8 – Salvation by Faith Alone
Study 5
Sharing Question: Share an area of your life where you learned
that comparing yourself with others is non-productive.
1. Without God, how were they once “foolish?” How would
they be disobedient? How would they “be deceived and
enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures?”
2. Without God, how does this lead to living with malice and
envy? How would this lead to “being hated” and “hating
one another?”
3. How has God saved us “not because of the righteous things
we have done” but because of his mercy? How is Christ’s
work of salvation like “washing” and “rebirth?” How is the
Holy Spirit involved?
4. What is the meaning that we are “justified by his grace?”
How is it that we become “heirs” and how is this related to
the “hope of eternal life?”
5. Why does Paul want Titus to stress this teaching? How are
they excellent and profitable?
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Titus 3:9-15 – Practical Advice for Leaders
Study 6
Sharing Question: Share a time where you wisely refrained
from arguing.
1. What are “foolish controversies and genealogies?” What
are “arguments and quarrels about the law?” Why are they
unprofitable and useless?” How does one distinguish
between arguments that are foolish versus those that are
important?
2. How are people who are focused on these things divisive?
Why does Paul instruct Titus to warn them three times?
What action should he take if they do not listen? Why
would Paul call them “warped?” How are they selfcondemned? In your opinion, how wise is this counsel?
3. From the directions of Paul, what picture can we get about
his role in the Gentile churches?8 Why does Paul direct
Titus to supply Zenas and Apollos with “everything they
need?”
4. Why does Paul want them to live productive lives and
provide for the daily necessities? How is this related to
“doing what is good?” What does this say about working?
8
Artemas is named here only. Tychicus is mentioned in four places. See Acts
20:4, Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; II Tim. 4:12. He is called by Paul, “my dear brother
and faithful servant in the Lord.” Zenas is named here only. Apollos could be
the same one who was a foremost teacher of the church (Acts 18:24; 19:1; I
Cor. 1:12; 3:6,22; 4:6; 16:12).
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Appendix – Insights & Comments for Leaders
Titus 1:1-9 – Knowledge Leading to Godliness/Godly
Leaders
Paul begins by quickly summarizing the message of the Gospel;
that is, that God came to save us through Christ and that this
salvation forms the foundation of our hope for eternal life. In
addition, our beliefs should lead to right living. They are
connected. It can also be translated “in accordance with
godliness.”
Central to the Christian beliefs is that Christ gives eternal life
and provides hope to the believer that death is not the end.
The plan of salvation through Christ was not a whim of God but
planned from the beginning of time. God promises this eternal
life and it is not in his character to lie. It was revealed to us just
at the right moment in salvation history through Christ --- after
Abraham, the Law through Moses, and prophesized through the
Prophets. Paul was entrusted to preach the Gospel to the
Gentiles and is grateful for the honor. Titus is trusted and loyal
to Paul and is consider a son. This shows Paul’s great love for
him. Titus was left in Crete to help the church organize and
appoint leaders so that they could resist the inroads made by
unorthodox teachers.
The “overseer” or “elder,” depending on the translation is a
position of leadership. Notice that the first criterion mentioned
has to do with moral behavior. He must be “blameless” not
only in personal character but in his primary family relationships
with his spouse and children. This is a very high standard and is
important because of the great stress that will have to endure.
The overseer must be temperate, selfless, and disciplined. In
addition, he must accept and teach sound doctrine for both
encouragement and refutation implying a willingness to
confront. Hospitality is valued; that is, kindness to strangers.
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Titus 1:10-16 – Leaders Who Teach Poorly
Poor leaders are full of talk and use manipulation to win over
followers. They are inconsistent in their actions subtly creating
division by their rebellious nature. Note that they have lost the
message of the Gospel and are using manipulation and
personality to win over converts.
Paul singles out the Jewish Christians who erroneously teach
that Gentiles must follow Jewish traditions in addition to
believing in Christ. “Salvation is by faith alone” and not
dependent on following moral standards or practices. This is
the problem of the “religious” who stray into the trap of using
their own good deeds as the means of feeling good about
themselves. Being right before God or “righteous” is a gift of
grace, undeserved, unearned, and therefore, must be humbly
accepted. Good moral behavior will flow out of gratefulness.
Paul is very strong and direct telling Titus that these teachers
must be silenced. Their teaching is causing harm to the church
rippling through whole households.
Paul is using sayings from their teachers pointing to the
ridiculousness of their teachings. He directs Titus to take strong
action against these teachers hoping that they will turn from
their ways.
Apparently, these false teachers are focused on external rules
and regulations. Paul is reminding Titus that purity comes from
the heart. The work of Christ is to transform the heart through
the work of the Holy Spirit. No amount of external practices can
fix the human sinful condition. Paul points out that without this
inner work of Christ, their minds are corrupted to the point that
they are deceived that they know God. A dead giveaway,
however, is their inconsistent actions. This self-deception is
destructive making them “detestable.”
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Titus 2:1-10 – What to Teach
“Sound doctrine” is the gospel message. Sound doctrine forms
the base or foundation of our motivations and behavior. For
example, it is important to understand the work of Christ as a
work of grace so that we will be motivated by gratefulness and
love.
Older men are encouraged to take on characteristics that will
make them wise, worthy of respect, so that they may teach
those that are younger.
Older women are to do likewise. They are to handle their
responsibilities well including their family and household. In
this way, they can teach younger women.
Younger men should be self-controlled against their tendency to
be reckless. Paul interrupts his flow of teaching to speak
directly to Titus perhaps because Titus falls into this category.
Titus is to be exemplary and his teaching should show integrity
and seriousness and “soundness” of speech. In this way, he can
better refute his opponents.
Slaves must have integrity and be trustworthy. This is their
witness to others.
Self-control is one of the results of the Holy Spirits work in our
lives. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). It is a
characteristic that makes one reliable and consistent and
therefore worthy of trust and leadership.
Titus 2:11-3:2 – Grace/Gospel Teaches You
This is a very important section that discusses the gospel
message to the “irreligious” whose former life was one of
abandonment to sin.
It discusses the connection between the gospel and good
behavior. The good news of Christ, through the work of the
Holy Spirit, as it sinks into the believer, will teach them to say
“no” to sinful behavior.
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In addition, they will begin to have control of their lives and
have power to do what is right.
The believer will live with hope knowing that death is not the
end and will look forward with eager expectation for the coming
of Christ.
The believer lives in gratitude for the work of Christ who has
saved us with his sacrifice on the cross so that we are pure
before God. Christ bore the punishment of sin so that we do
not have to. This makes us alive and eager to do what is good
because God is good.
It is easy to encourage but much harder to rebuke. Paul is
encouraging Titus to stand strong and not be fearful of what
others think.
Titus 3:3-8 – Salvation by Faith Alone
This section presents the gospel message to the “religious”
whose former life was marked by outward moral living without
real transformation.
Paul describes the former life as “foolish” where they are
deceived into thinking that they are deserving of salvation
through their own efforts of good works.
In reality, they end up following their passions and pleasures
just like the “irreligious” (but more hidden) with their lives
marked by comparing, envy, and hate.
God’s work of salvation is not dependent on their righteous
deeds which falls short but out of the kindness and mercy of
God. To the “religious,” they must put down their pride and
accept God’s work of mercy.
It is a work of rebirth (John 3). It is a miraculous gift of God,
through the work of Christ, and powered by the indwelling of
the Holy Spirit.
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The believer becomes “heirs” of God inheriting eternal life. As
heirs, they then devote themselves to doing what is good
consistent with their new status.
This message is so foundational that Paul exhorts Titus to teach
it over and over again and stress it. That is because the
message of the gospel takes a lifetime to learn and apply.
Titus 3:9-15 – Practical Advice for Leaders
Paul just finished outlining the gospel and told Titus to stress
these things. It can therefore be inferred that focusing on other
things could lead to foolish controversies. Arguing over minor
issues focuses attention away from the more important things
and become unprofitable and useless. It also leads to divisive
controversies. Paul directs Titus to correct these people three
times. This is very wise and gracious. After the third time, if
they do not turn, Titus must avoid them. They have proven
themselves warped in their thinking. Their behavior is selfcondemning for others to see.
Paul is actively directing the ministry of the churches to the
Gentiles of which Titus is only one of the workers. The workers
of the ministry are dependent on the church communities and
need assistance including financial from time to time.
Note that Paul believes that doing good means being productive
and endorses activities that provide for one’s daily necessities.
Good work hard in valued here (also in the letter to I Thess.).
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