September 20, 2012
ROOTS AND FRUIT
Titus 3
Susan Bryans
Central Truth
God's gift of grace saves us and moves us to do good deeds.
Key Verse | Titus 3:4–6
"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." (Titus 3:4-6)
Titus 3
Be Ready for Every Good Work
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Dive Deeper | Titus 3
I would love to be a gardener. After growing up in the desert of West Texas, I know very little about growing things. It is a celebration if my garden center purchases merely stay alive for a short period of time! We all know, however, that in order for a plant to be healthy and attractive it must have a vital root system. Then it is in a position to develop beautiful, luscious fruit.
Likewise, when one becomes a believer in Christ by confessing his need for a Savior and then believing that Christ died for him (Romans 10:9-10), he is rooting himself in Christ. But just as a plant with only roots is not producing what it's supposed to, so is a believer with no fruit.
In this passage, Paul urges Titus to teach the Cretans, who were quite a self-absorbed bunch, that the grace shown to them should be a motivator for good works. Just as the fruit comes after the roots are established, good works follow God's gift of grace in our lives. God's people are called to respond to God's grace in a tangible way.
Paul goes on to say that believers in Christ should "be careful to do good deeds all the time." (Titus 3:8, TLB). Even after 40+ years as a believer, I wrestle daily with this paradigm. I know what I should do: serve others, give generously, forgive offenses, put others' needs before my own, but often I don't want to do so! This is where I must lean into God's great grace so that His love can flow through me to others. I cannot do this on my own; spending time in the Bible and in prayer getting to know the God of Grace changes my perspective. The more I know God, the more I love God, and the more I am spurred on to love and serve others. As James 2:17 states, faith without works is dead.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you responded to Christ's initial call and become a believer in Jesus Christ? Are you rooted?
2. How are you living out grace in your life?
3. Are you depending on your "deeds done in righteousness" as a means of salvation?
4. Have you found a place to serve others in your church or community?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
September 17-22 (2 Timothy 4 – Philemon 1)
Read Titus 3:1-8.
• What does it mean to be gentle and show humility to another person?
• How did God show His kindness and love to us?
• Are we saved and accepted into God's family based on good things we do?
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Have you acknowledged that you are a sinner in need of God's kindness and love?
• Have you accepted the gift of God's grace through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?
• If so, what does Paul say happened to your sins when you accepted God's gift through Jesus (verse 5)?
• If you haven't, do you want to be a part of God's family? Take time to discuss what that means.
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When you share your faith with others, do you do it out of gentleness and humility like Paul talked about in verse 2?
Activity: Go outside with some sidewalk chalk. Ask everyone to take time either to draw a picture or write words that represent sins you have 'committed.' (A sin is any thought, word, or deed that breaks God's righteous standards.) Then, get the water hose and wash those pictures and words away . . . showing what happened to your sins when you accepted Jesus' sacrifice by trusting in Him.