Through the Word - Titus 1:5-9

Titus 1:5–9 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

So we continue following Titus through Paul’l letter.

Paul starts out with the reason Titus was sent there

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking.

What does this verse tell us about the reason Titus was in Crete?

So Paul sent Titus to Crete as we discussed last week because he was supposed to help the ones who already believed to do the will of God.

So the thought with these Cretan churches is that they were still young.

They were certainly young in the faith as we know they didn’t really know what direction to go.

So now Paul gives a second reason why Titus is in Crete

He says that he is to appoint elders in every city.

Who are the elders? and why were they so important?

The elders were going to be placed so that they could lead the churches to the truth of scripture.

This was in hopes that the churches would not fall away once again.

requirements for elders

1.be blameless

Can any of you tell me what it means to be blameless?

This was to mean they did not have any lawful accusations against them

Paul also said in verse 6 to be the husband of one wife

What doe this mean?

This is relevant in a couple ways, a divorced man wouldn’t be eligible to be an elder but the big thing in Crete was many there were still practicing polygamy and had 2-3 wives

They could only have one wife if they were to be considered for elder.

Paul says for them to have faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination

This statement means that their children should be faithful to the gospel and without accusation of essentially what is rebelliousness

Do you think that someone who cannot lead their home can lead the church? Why?

See men are called to lead in the home and if we aren’t leading in our homes we will never lead in the body of Christ

So Paul continues and says

Titus 1:7 NKJV

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

So the kjv or nkjv says bishop but it is unclear whether these requirements are about as pastor or just about a church leader such as a deacon or elder.

regardless the requirements are nearly identical in Paul's other letters

Do you feel like these requirements would be tough to live?

Why or why not?

Paul wanted Titus to appoint leaders who could maintain the standards in the churches that would keep them on the straight and narrow

if not for strong, disciplined men the churches would be right back where they were in just a matter of time.

Titus 1:8 KJV 1900

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

In verse 8 Titus mentions some of the things that a leader in the church should do rather than what they shouldn't

Do you guys feel you do these things?

How could you do a better job at doing them in the future?

Why are these qualities important?