The Challenge

1. The Challenge of teaching the Truth.

Titus 2:1–5 ESV

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Jesus is not frustrating his hearers with an unachievable ideal but challenging them to grow in obedience to God’s will—to become more like him.

Craig Blomberg

2. The Challenge of living the Truth.

Titus 2:6–10 ESV

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

The truth is the sanctifier, and if we do not hear or read the truth, we shall not grow in sanctification. We only progress in sound living as we progress in sound understanding.

Charles Spurgeon

Godly living is directly linked in Scripture to knowledge of doctrinal truth.

John F. MacArthur

Application:

Consider…

1. How does Titus 2:1-10 illustrate the connection between sound doctrine and practical living within a Christ-centered community?

2. In what ways can you actively mentor or support someone younger in your faith journey?

3. What does serving others look like in your life, and how can you make it an act of worship?