What Is Missions to Produce?

Christian Missions is a concentrated effort to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached and make disciples who follow and worship Him.

What I want to look at today is the long-view of missions. In acts we saw explosive missions, thousands of converts and baptism, but not every day in missions work is explosive. There is a long view in mind, and that is for discipleship to have its full effect on a place on the globe.

Titus 1:5 ESV

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

What does this tell us about Paul’s hope for the groups of believers that were left from his missionary journeys?

We saw several times in Acts, and as well there in Titus, that One of Paul’s main goals for all these cities he saw converts in is that there would be leaders appointed, and a continued teaching and work of discipleship and evangelism taking place.

1 Timothy 3:1–13 ESV

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

In this passage, Paul gives instructions on the qualifications for Overseers (synonymous with pastors and elders) and Deacons in the church.

What are some of the requirements for these church leaders?

What does Paul say about the time frame of appointing a leader in verse 6?

What is to be the view of church leaders from those outside the church? Why?

Titus 2:1–14 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. 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. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

If Paul was the Missionary, then Titus was A helper of that mission. Paul and Titus had been involved together in missions work, and had spent some time together in Crete, a Greek Island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Titus was Paul’s representative and Helper on Crete, and He stayed there, but he wasn’t to stay permanently. The book of Titus gives us good insight into what the long-term work of missions looks like in a pioneering sense. That is, a place where there were no disciples, no church, to becoming a place where discipleship could make a big impact.

What do we see that Titus’ role in Crete is?

Paul moves on from Titus, because Titus isn’t the focus - the Cretan people are. Paul lays out some big picture goals for the people.

What is the instruction for older men?

What is the instruction for older women?

What is the instruction for younger men?

What is the instruction for Servants?

What is the specific goal for servants in verse 10?

Why does Paul say all this is possible in verse 11?

What are some things that the Grace of God does when it takes hold of an individual, or a group of individuals?