January 21, 2018 – Titus 2:1-15

Lesson Date: January 21, 2018

Focal Scripture Passage: Titus 2:1-15

AIM: To lead students to describe the results of living according to sound doctrine, and to (a) decide why they fail to live up to the Bible’s standards and (b) correct the cause of their failure.

Before class: Read the notes on Titus 2:1-15 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Get enough copies of the Lesson Outline handout for your anticipated attendance. Prepare the index card or small piece of paper described in the “Conclusion” step. Write the word “Doctrine” at the top of the marker board or chalkboard.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the word “Doctrine” written on the board. Ask the students to define the word. They might suggest definitions such as teachings or beliefs. Ask: “When we studied Bible doctrine a few months ago, what subjects did we deal with?” (the person and work of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, man and his problem with sin, God’s plan and method for salvation, Christian living, the end of life and the end times, etc.).

Tell the class that today’s lesson is about doctrine, but it doesn’t directly deal with those subjects. Rather, it deals with the ways our beliefs influence how we behave. Write the words “Belief” and “Behavior” on the left and right sides of the board below the word “Doctrine.”

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the students that we are studying the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
   • Timothy and Titus were young pastors. Paul wrote them to give advice and counsel.
   • Remind the class that Paul left Titus on the island of Crete (locate Crete on the map) to correct errors and appoint elders in every city.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (the qualifications and work of church leaders, including standing against and correcting false teaching).
   • Ask: “Have you been faithful to pray for our church leaders this week?”
2. Command.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Titus 2:1.
   • Ask: “What do you think the word ‘become’ means?”
   • Explain that the word become means fitting or appropriate. For example, if someone says your new outfit is “becoming,” that means it is appropriate, suitable, or fitting for the occasion.
   • Ask: “What command did Paul give Titus?” (teach the things that are appropriate, fitting, and “becoming” to sound doctrine).
   • Give everyone a copy of the Lesson Outline handout.
   • Tell them the Command is found in verse 1: Paul told Titus to teach the things that go along with and are appropriate for sound doctrine.
3. How Should Those Who Believe Sound Doctrine Behave?
   • Explain the following:
     • Paul told Titus to teach sound doctrine, but most of this chapter deals with how Christians should live and behave.
     • That’s because what we BELIEVE (our doctrine) determines how we ACT.
     • Not only that, but the way we behave REVEALS what we truly believe.
   • Direct everyone’s attention back to the Lesson Outline
   • Tell them verses 2-10 reveal how those who believe sound doctrine should behave.
   • Read Titus 2:2.
   • Ask: “How should older men who believe sound doctrine behave?” (they should be serious, respectable, self-controlled, and known for their sound faith, love, and patience).
   • Ask: “Does that description fit any older men you know? Does it fit you?”
   • Ask a volunteer to read Titus 2:3-4a.
   • Ask: “How should older women who believe sound doctrine behave?” (they should not be devilish, but should be holy, temperate, and ready to teach).
   • Ask: “Does that description fit any older women you know? Does it fit you?”
   • Read Titus 2:4b-5.
   • Ask: “How should younger women who believe sound doctrine behave?” (they should be serious, love their husband and children, self-controlled, modest, domestically inclined, good, and obedient to their husband).
   • Ask: “Does that description fit any younger women you know? Does it fit you?”
   • Ask a volunteer to read Titus 2:6-8.
   • Ask: “How should younger men who believe sound doctrine behave?” (they should be self-controlled, respectful, sincere, and good and honest in their speech).
   • Note that Titus, being a young man himself, was to be an example to other young men.
   • Ask: “Does that description fit any younger men you know? Does it fit you?”
   • Read Titus 2:9-10.
   • Ask: “How should servants (employees) who believe sound doctrine behave?” (they should be obedient, seek to please their boss, not talk back, not steal, but be faithful and loyal).
   • Ask: “Does that description fit any employees you know? Does it fit you?”
   • Stress the fact that these instructions are for those who believe sound doctrine. Believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He has saved us from their sins should cause us to behave the way verses 2-10 describe. These behaviors are fitting or appropriate for those who believe sound doctrine.
4. Why Should We Behave this Way?
   • Tell the class many people today feel that their behavior is no one else’s business. We hear such people say things like the following:
     • “It’s my life and I’ll live it however I choose.”
     • “It’s my body and I’ll do whatever I want with it.”
     • “This is a free country and I can do anything I want.”
     • “What I do doesn’t affect anyone else.”
   • Tell the students the remainder of this chapter tells us WHY Christians should behave the way the Bible says.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Titus 2:11-15.
   • Tell the class these verses give five reasons Christians should behave in ways that are appropriate for those who believe sound doctrine.
   • Re-read each verse and the appropriate reason found on the Lesson Outline
   • After each reason, ask: “Why should that fact influence our behavior?”
5. What are the Results of Living by Sound Doctrine?
   • Tell the students they have discovered behaviors that are fitting for those who believe sound doctrine and five reasons we should behave as the Bible says.
   • Direct everyone’s attention back to the Lesson Outline
   • Note that this chapter also reveals three results of living like those who believe sound doctrine.
   • Read Titus 2:5b.
   • Ask: “What happens when we behave like we should?” (the Word of God will not be blasphemed or spoken against).
   • Read Titus 2:8b.
   • Ask: “What happens when we behave like we should?” (those who oppose God and us will not be able to find anything evil to say about us).
   • Read Titus 2:10b.
   • Ask: “What happens when we behave like we should?” (it adorns the doctrine of Jesus Christ).
   • Ask the students to suggest definitions for the word adorn (to deck out or dress up with ornaments, embellish, make something look pleasing or attractive).
   • Say: “This means our behavior either beautifies Christianity and makes it attractive or puts it in a bad light. In other words, how we behave matters to the kingdom of God.”

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the class’ attention to the words “Belief” and “Behavior” written on the board. Draw an arrow from “Belief” to “Behavior,” and say: “Belief results in Behavior.” In other words, what we believe determines how we behave. Draw another arrow, this one going from “Behavior” back to “Belief,” and tell the class: “Behavior reveals Belief.” In other words, how we behave reveals what we really believe.

Ask the class to think about the behaviors described in today’s lesson and compare those to their lifestyle and behavior. Say: “If your behavior doesn’t usually conform to Bible standards, then one of three things is true. Either: (1) you have not been taught the truth (you no longer have that excuse because of today’s lesson); or (2) you are disobedient to the truth you know; or (3) you are lost, and therefore cannot conform to God’s standards.”

Tell the students one of those three options is the cause of their failure to live a lifestyle that is fitting for someone who believes sound doctrine. Now is the time to correct the cause of their failure to live up to the Bible’s commands. Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Urge any who are not saved to confess their sins and receive Christ right now. Urge any who are disobedient to confess their sins and promise God to start living by His standards today. Urge any who before now didn’t know how they should behave to make a commitment right now to live by God’s standards. Lead a closing prayer of commitment.

CONCLUSION: Give everyone an index card or small piece of paper on which you have written or printed this question:

“Has my behavior today adorned the doctrine of Jesus Christ?”

Ask them to put the card on their nightstand and honestly answer that question each night before going to bed. Ask everyone to memorize Titus 2:12. Urge them to follow through on the commitments they have made to the Lord.