Today’s passage: Titus 1:10-16
Helpful thoughts:
- The reason for the final qualification for elders is given a direct application in today’s passage. See verse 9 leading into verse 10 and following.
- Pastors/Elders need to step up and protect the church from false teaching.
- “The circumcision party” were those who taught that a male must be circumcised (Old Covenant law) in order to be saved.
- Even their motives were identified by the Apostle Paul. The preached their doctrines for shameful gain.
- Those whom God has purified and is purifying will pursue repentance, growth and good works. Those who are truly unbelieving will not tend to do well when they are rebuked.
- Those who are in the church (Yet who are living and speaking as unbelievers) are to be rebuked.
Questions to consider:
- What parts of this passage make you feel uncomfortable (Maybe even hoping someone else will do it so you don’t have to)? Why?
- If a Christian refuses to rebuke someone in the church because they will feel uncomfortable, what do they need another Christian to do for them? Does obedience to the Lord and the possible joy of repentance for others outweigh the distaste for feeling uncomfortable?
- Knowing the context from verses 5-9, who needs to lead the way in the church in rebuking those who are teaching false doctrine and living in sin?
- What is the purpose of rebuke? Is it to be done for sport? Should the rebuker feel exhilarated putting others down (Is that even true rebuke?)? What is the hope of outcome for all Christian rebuke (Matthew 18:15, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8)?