Elders should lay a foundation of sound doctrine and focus on teaching older men and women so they can disciple young people in godly living to attract others to Christ.
Appoint Godly Elders To Oversee God’s Work
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ for the knowledge of truth that led to godliness. It rested on the hope of eternal life that God promised. He brought His word to light through the preaching entrusted to him by God’s command. Paul left Titus in Crete to straighten out unfinished business and appoint elders in every town. An elder must be blameless, husband of one wife. His children must believe without being wild and disobedient. An elder who oversees God’s work must not be overbearing, quick-tempered, given to much wine, violent, and pursuing dishonest gain. Instead he must be hospitable, love what was good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined (Tit. 1:1-8). Appoint godly elders to oversee God’s work who model purity in their personal and family lives.
Lay Proper Foundation by Encouraging Sound Doctrine and Refuting False Teaching
An elder must hold firmly to the trustworthy message, encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. He must silence rebellious people who deceived and ruined households for dishonest gain. One of their own prophets said Cretans were “always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” Elders must rebuke them sharply so they would be sound in the faith. They must avoid Jewish myths or commands among those who reject the truth. To the pure all things were pure but to the corrupted and unbelievers, nothing was pure. Claiming to know God, their actions showed they denied Him being unfit for anything good (Tit. 1:9-16). Lay proper foundation by encouraging sound doctrine and refuting false teaching to prevent ruined lives.
Teach Sound Doctrine to Older Men and Women
Teach sound doctrine to older men so they would be temperate, respectful, self-controlled, sound in faith and loving with endurance. Teach older women to be reverent and not slanderous or addicted to much wine so they could teach what was good. They should train the younger women to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind and subject to their husbands so no one would malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled as an example by doing what was good. Timothy’s teaching should show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech so opponents could not condemn them (Tit. 2:1-8). Teach sound doctrine to older men and women so they can disciple younger people in godly living.
Disciple People in God’s Grace to Attract Others to Christ
Teach employees to be subject their bosses so they could be fully trusted by not talking back or stealing to make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. His grace that brought salvation appeared to all men. It taught them to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, but to live self-controlled and godly lives in this present age. They waited for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ who redeemed them from all wickedness and purified for Himself a people eager to do what was good. They were to teach, encourage and rebuke these things with all authority without being despised (Tit. 2:9-15). Disciple people in God’s grace to live godly in all spheres to attract others to Christ.
Allow Grace Motivate You to Obey Authority and Do Good Works
Remind people to be subject and obedient to all authorities. They were to slander no one, but be peaceable, considerate and show humility toward all men. They had been foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by passions and pleasures with envy and hate. But when the kindness and love of Jesus appeared, He saved them not because of their righteous deeds, but because of His mercy through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit poured out generously through Christ. Being justified by His grace, they became heirs with the hope of eternal life so they could be careful to devote themselves to good works (Tit. 3:1-8). Allow God’s grace motivate you to humbly obey every authority and do good works.
Live Productive Lives by Avoiding Useless Quarrels and Confronting Divisiveness
Avoid foolish and useless controversies, arguments and quarrels about the law. Warn a divisive person up to two times and then have nothing to do with him since he was warped, sinful and self-condemned. Paul asked Timothy to come see him and help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with everything they need. Everyone must learn to devote themselves to doing what was good to provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives (Tit. 3:9-15). Live productive lives by avoiding useless quarrels and confronting divisiveness.
Let me ask these questions:
1. Are godly elders in your city overseeing God’s work?
2. Are they laying a proper foundation by encouraging sound doctrine and refuting false teaching?
3. Are elders teaching sound doctrine to older men and women?
4. Are older people discipling younger people?
5. Are others being attracted to Christ?
6. Are discipled believers obeying every authority and doing good works?
7. Are church members living productively and avoiding useless quarrels and divisions?
