Titus 10 - Week 1

Introduction

DOMINION

Primary Texts: Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:15; Titus 1:5–9 Big Idea: God created men, under His authority, to take responsibility for what He has entrusted to them—to work it and keep it.

GOALS FOR TONIGHT

By the end of the study, men should:

Understand the purpose and rhythm of The Titus Ten.

See godly manhood in terms of responsibility rather than passivity or domination.

Understand the picture of work and keep — plow and sword.

Identify where they most need to take greater responsibility right now.

See connection between personal character and spiritual leadership.

Leave with one concrete action step to greater faithfulness.

1. INTRODUCE THE JOURNEY

Why The Titus Ten?

Josh Smith originally gathered ten men for ten weeks because he saw the church’s need for godly men who would carry responsibility, serve the church, and invest in others.

His basic conviction is that Titus gives us foundations for the kind of men the church needs.

Ask: When you think about a healthy church in 10-20 years, what kind of men must be present for that church to thrive?

Men who know Scripture

Faithful husbands/fathers

Servants

Men who lead

Men with self-control

Men who disciple younger men

Men who give sacrificially

Men who protect sound doctrine

Men willing to carry responsibility

This question is the key for the next 10 weeks. It’s not simply “How can I become a better man?” It’s, “What kind of men does God’s church need?”

Then explain that over ten weeks we will work through:

Dominion • Gospel • Identity • Assignments • Authority • Character • Doctrine • Mission • Zeal • Investments

Establish the expectations

We are going to read this book:

Together — not in isolation. For action — not simply information. With our eyes on Jesus — He is not merely our example; He is our hope for becoming godly men.

Our goal is not simply to know more about manhood. Our goal is to become more like Christ.

Titus Overview: 46 verses and 3 chapters. The 3 chapters emphasize a different sphere. Church > Home > World!

I think one of the best things for us to do tonight is to read this letter because that’s how it was given originally. As we do, listen for 2 key things:

What kind of church is God trying to build?

What kind of people - and what kind of men - are necessary for that church to exist?

Titus 1–3 CSB

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In his own time he has revealed his word in the preaching with which I was entrusted by the command of God our Savior: 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 14 and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work. 1 But you are to proclaim things consistent with sound teaching. 2 Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled 7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us. 9 Slaves are to submit to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back 10 or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. 15 Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. 1 Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. 11 For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned. 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing. 14 Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. 15 All those who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

What words did you hear over and over in this letter?

Sound-doctrine

Self-control

Good works

Godliness

Savior

Grace

Leadership

Family

Character

Truth

Does Paul care about what people believe or how people live?

Trick Question: BOTH!

Doctrine Fuels Devotion

2. MEET TITUS

Titus was one of Paul's trusted coworkers.

From the introduction, three qualities stand out:

Titus was a faithful follower.

Paul calls him his “true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4).

Titus was a courageous servant.

Paul repeatedly trusted Titus with difficult assignments—including Corinth and eventually Crete.

Titus was a beloved friend.

When Paul was discouraged, Titus's arrival brought him comfort (2 Cor. 7:5–7).

Ask: Which of those three qualities: faithfulness, courage, dependability is harder to find today?

The situation in Crete

Paul left Titus there: “to set right what was left undone” — Titus 1:5

The church had been affected by the surrounding culture. Paul therefore emphasizes: The local church. The gospel. Good works.

Why do you think Paul, from the beginning of this book, tells an unhealthy church that it needs to establish godly leadership?

Churches rarely become healthier than the men who are willing to carry spiritual responsibility within the body!

The basic message of Titus is: God has saved us so that we might join with the local church to declare and display the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God’s Design for His Church

Titus 1:6–9 CSB

6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

What qualifications stand out to you in this list? (Similar to 1 Timothy 3 list)

Almost all character - not competency

Nothing about charisma

Business success

Popularity

Personality

Organizational skill

Not every man is called by God to be an elder in the church. But the character traits listed here should be traits that all mature Christians aspire to be said about them. Let’s think of what happens whenever a church doesn’t have this.

What happens whenever a church does not have very many spiritually mature men?

Why would God call on these churches to have multiple elders in every town?

We need to be a church that produces Titus 1 men!

3. GOD'S ORIGINAL INTENTION

Titus isn’t the first place where God talks about the purpose of what men are called to do.

Read Genesis 1:26–28.

Genesis 1:26–28 CSB

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.”

What are some stereotypes of men in culture today?

Passive

Domineering

Selfish

Stupid

Lazy

Angry

Controlling

Absent

Unnecessary

Scripture doesn’t simply tell us what men should NOT be… Scripture tells us what men SHOULD be in Genesis 1.

Culture has distorted what God has intended - Satan tries to capture what God has created

God has called men and women to exercise dominion in Genesis, and we do this in different ways. Why do some wrestle with differences between genders?

Example of something only a woman can do?

Give Birth

Example of God’s design for a man?

Shepherd the church / lead the family

Biblical dominion means taking godly responsibility for what God has entrusted to you! Not passivity and not domineering. Not about control, but about caring for and stewarding what God has given!

Dominion is not domination.

God gives authority, but that authority always remains under His authority.

4. THE WAY OF DOMINION

Read Genesis 2:15

Genesis 2:15 CSB

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.

What two things do you see God entrusted to Adam?

God placed Adam in the garden “to work it and keep it.” Those two words give us a picture of masculine responsibility and Smith paints a powerful picture here.

THE PLOW — WORK

To work means to develop and care for something so that it grows and flourishes. That's what we mean by cultivate. There is a purpose behind what we do!

A godly man asks: “What has God entrusted to me that should be growing because I am there?”

The plow represents:

Hard work

Cultivation

Initiative

Service

Sacrifice

Helping others flourish

Godly leadership should cause people and places under our care to grow and thrive.

(To work means to develop and care for something so that it grows and flourishes)

What is the difference between occupying a space and cultivating it?

A husband can live in a house without cultivating/growing his marriage

A father can live with his children without cultivating/growing them

A member can attend a church without cultivating the church

An employee can collect a paycheck without cultivating the workplace

Godly men aren’t there to simply occupy their domain but to work at them. To make a Kingdom impact at them! Failing to do this is passivity, and that is the oldest threat men have ever faced because it goes back to the Garden. Adam was in the Garden but failed to cultivate it. He failed to protect his wife. He failed to lead because he failed to work.

THE SWORD — KEEP

To keep means to guard, watch, and protect.

The sword represents:

Protection

Courage

Vigilance

Defense

Standing against what harms others

A godly man does not merely produce. He also protects.

Which do men in 2026 neglect more: the plow or the sword?

Some men provide but don’t protect

Others protect but don’t provide

Biblical manhood requires both!

5. THE FOUR DOMAINS

Smith identifies four primary domains where men exercise responsibility.

1. FLESH

Before leading anything else, a man must learn to govern himself.

Titus 1:7–8 CSB

7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled,

Notice the repeated emphasis on self-control:

pride

temper

alcohol

violence

greed

desires

Arrogance

Discipline

A man cannot faithfully lead others while refusing to deal with himself. Self government comes before spiritual leadership.

Why is self-control foundational to every other domain? Why is this first?

What areas of a man’s life most commonly expose a lack of self-control?

Anger

Food

Alcohol

Money

Entertainment

Social Media

Laziness

Pride

Why do private failures eventually become public failures?

Ask: What usually happens in a man's family, ministry, or career when he refuses to deal with his own sin?

2. CHURCH

Paul's first instruction to Titus is to establish godly leadership in the churches.

What does a man who takes responsibility for his church do?

Show up

Serve

Give

Pray

Encourage

Disciples

Protects Unity

Knows doctrines

Build bridges

Invests in others

Supports leaders

Carries burdens

If every man at South Gate approached our church the same way I do, what kind of church would South Gate become in 5 years?

Men should not merely attend church. They should learn to: serve it • strengthen it • protect it • invest in it

3. FAMILY

God has entrusted men with relationships in which they should sacrificially love and serve. Whether we’re young or old, married or single, we all have family responsibilities.

What does the plow and sword look like in a family?

PLOW

Helping

Serving

Working

Encouraging

Disciplining

Prioritizing Church

SWORD

Protecting from harm

Setting boundaries

Confessing and confronting sin

Protecting time

Defending wife/kids

What is the difference between providing for a family and leading a family?

MANY men provide, but they don’t lead! This is why we’re in the mess we’re in as a world. For years, men have been physically absent… but now they are often physically present, but spiritually absent. And this is JUST as damaging!

4. WORK

Our work is another arena in which we display God's character. Godly men are to be

Dependable

Diligent

Devoted

6. LAND THE PLANE

Flesh > Church > Home > Work

Smith shares that these domains build on one another. There is wisdom here, even if some might argue on the order.

A man who refuses to govern himself will struggle at church, home, and work.

A man who never serves in the church will struggle to lead his family spiritually.

A man who never leads spiritually will carry that same pattern over into his work as well.

Our lives are connected and we can’t compartmentalize faithfulness!

Where do you see one domain spilling over into another in our world today?

Where is our world struggling because men refuse to step up?

Flesh > Church > Family > Work

What is one dream you have for the men of South Gate in 5 years?

NOW: Don't try to fix all four domains this week. The purpose of this study is not try harder and do more things to become a better man. Biblical manhood points us to Jesus - Hebrews 12 reminds us of this! Jesus cultivated His disciples as He helped them grow spiritually and relationally. He served others. He sacrificed Himself. He guarded His sheep. He took responsibility for people who were guilty. He laid down His life for His bride.

Godly dominion isn’t about yelling louder and grabbing up power - it is about taking responsibility for the things God has given you and giving yourself up to lead those closest to you to look more like Jesus. And this means that we require God’s help! We need the Gospel because only the Gospel can redeem fallen and broken men. And this is what we’ll look at more next week as chapter 2 focuses on the Gospel!

Prayer

Pray specifically for:

self-control;

courage to accept responsibility;

faithfulness in church, home, and work;

strength to work and protect sacrificially;

greater conformity to Christ.

FOR NEXT WEEK

Read Chapter 2 — Gospel.

Also come prepared to answer:

What Bible character do you identify with or most want to imitate—and why?