1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (NASB)

Teaching

• A person is radically changed when they believe on Jesus Christ who came, died, rose again and then had the Spirit of God implanted in each believer to actively live out Christ-like lives.

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Approach Questions for Titus 3:1-8

• Can a person be saved by being good? Why or why not?
  

Observation, Interpretation and Application Questions

1. A Needed Reminder (Titus 3:1-2)

• Who is Paul telling Titus to remind? (Who is the them?)
• What did Paul remind Titus to do with regards to them in verses 3:1-2?

• What does ‘to be uncontentious’ mean or refer to (3:2)?
  • Which is most difficult for you to carry out and why (3:1-2)?

2. God’s Work in the Believers’ Lives (Titus 3:3-7)

• Who does the ‘we’ describe (3:3)? Why do you think so?

• How did Paul describe “our lives” in the past (3:3)?

• Does this mean that all believers are free from malice, envy, enslavement to lusts, etc.?

  • What might we say to a believer who believes he cannot escape the impact of his ongoing sinful nature? (Maybe he feels like a victim to his addiction).

• What historical event was able to generate such a change in their lives (3:4)?

• How does Paul describe the means by which a person is saved (3:5)?

  • We often hear the phrase ‘Jesus saved me.’ How would Titus 3:4-5 encourage us to more accurately phrase that?

    • Would you say that you have been saved? When? Describe that work.

  • How does the ‘washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit’ describe the spiritual changes that happen to a new believer (3:5-6)?

    • What outward changes in your life testify to the hidden work of the Holy Spirit?

  • What does ‘justified by grace’ mean (3:7)?

    • Share about someone who believes one is ‘saved by works’ rather than ‘saved by grace’? Why is this point important clarifying?

• What is the result of being justified (3:7)?

  • Why might Paul use these words ‘eternal life’ to describe the believers’ inheritance (3:7)?

3. The Reliability of the Gospel (Titus 3:8)

• What does Paul tell Titus to do in 3:8?

  • Why do you think Paul needs to state, “This is a trustworthy statement” (3:8)?

• Why does Paul state these things to Titus? What is his goal?

Summary Titus 3:1-8

• Paul in Titus 3:1-8 teaches the glorious impact of salvation through Christ in a believer’s life not just at the time of salvation but while on earth and on into eternity.

=> Next: Titus 3:9-15 inductive Bible study questions

Other related articles from Biblical Foundations for Freedom:

• Introduction to Bible Study Methods
  
• Learning how to Effectively Study the Old Testament Psalms
  
• Reviving Our Personal Devotions and Quiet Times